The third edition of the South International Series Festival concluded in Cádiz with top honors going to "What It Feels Like for a Girl," produced by Filmin and Hera Pictures in association with ITV Studios, and "Una historia muy heavy," created by RTVE Play and Magnetika Films. The former won "Best Fiction Series," while the latter took home "Best Non-Fiction Series."
Audience accolades went to Mediterráneo Mediaset España's "Ella, maldita alma" and Lyomedia's "La Húngara. Toma que toma" for Mediaset Infinity, securing the Audience Awards in the Fiction and Non-Fiction categories, respectively. In total, 11 awards were distributed by the festival's juries.
Other major wins included "Best Screenplay" for "Sense Filtres" (3Cat), "Best Fiction Cast" for "What It Feels Like for a Girl," and a Non-Fiction Jury Special Mention for NRK's "The Agent. The Life and Lies of My Father." "La Húngara. Toma que toma" also received the Non-Fiction Jury Special Award.
A new addition this year was the "City of Cádiz Award," presented to "What It Feels Like for a Girl" for its emotional resonance and commitment to social themes. This title also earned a special mention from the South Boost jury, which awarded the 2025 South Boost Award to "Correos y Telégrafos" for its fresh portrayal of rural life and inclusive storytelling. "El cantante," by Jorge Naranjo, received a special mention for honoring the cultural legacy of Miguel Ríos.
Festival director Carles Montiel shared preliminary data highlighting the event's growth. A total of 12,808 attendees participated in screenings and industry events, with screenings at Gran Teatro Falla and Teatro del Títere averaging 84.98% occupancy and industry events reaching 90.75%. With over 3,600 industry event participants, Montiel declared 2025 as the best edition yet.
Montiel emphasized the significance of moving the red carpet to the Teatro Falla, which transformed Plaza Fragela into a vibrant hub filled with fans and celebrities. He praised the local community's support and highlighted initiatives such as the new "City of Cádiz Award" and "Cinema on the Beach" for strengthening ties with the city.
The festival is produced by Womack Group and supported by the Ayuntamiento de Cádiz and Diputación de Cádiz, with additional backing from the Junta de Andalucía. Mediterráneo Mediaset España Group served as media sponsor, joined by sponsors Autoridad Portuaria de la Bahía de Cádiz and Rims Mobility, and partners such as Writers Guild Foundation, Universidad de Cádiz, Canal Sur, Iberia, Cultura Inquieta, and Crea SGR.