The Black Ball (known in Spanish as La Bola Negra) has been selected as Spain’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards in 2027 . The film, directed by Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo—the creative duo widely recognized in Spain as Los Javis—weaves together the stories of three gay men across different eras in Spanish history. The directors have described the project as a tribute to the LGBTQ+ community and the generations who fought for human rights.
A Tribute to Those Who Fought for Freedom
The Cannes breakout title traces three generations of queer men whose lives are connected through love and loss, spanning the years 1932, 1937, and 2017 . Their stories unfold against the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War and modern times, exploring themes of desire, pain, and romance.
Ambrossi told AFP that the film is a tribute to the LGBTQ+ community of the past. Speaking at a press conference at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), he explained that the project began as something “fragile” and “intimate” before the team realized there was a broader political statement behind it.
The directors noted that many countries still have anti-LGBTQ laws, and people within the community can face persecution or even death because of their sexuality. Calvo emphasized that the film is about “empathy and humanity and seeing the other as a person”.
In a statement, Calvo and Ambrossi said:
“When we began writing La Bola Negra, we wanted to tell a story about freedom, legacy, and the importance of LGBTQ+ visibility. Above all, we wanted to honor the generations of people whose courage and sacrifice made our freedoms possible today”
The Journey From Cannes to the Oscars
The Black Ball made its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 21, 2026, where Los Javis were awarded the fest’s Best Director prize in a tie with Paweł Pawlikowski for Fatherland . At Cannes, the film received a 20-minute standing ovation, coming close to the festival’s all-time record of 22 minutes set by Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth in 2006 .
Following its Cannes debut, the film sparked a competitive bidding war for distribution rights. Netflix ultimately won the U.S. distribution rights and will release La Bola Negra in theaters on October 16, 2026, before streaming it 47 days later on December 2. This marks the longest theatrical-exclusive window in Netflix’s history.
The film made its North American premiere at TIFF on September 15, 2026, where it received another standing ovation. The accolades arrived just one day before Spain’s Film Academy announced its Oscar selection.
Inspiration From Federico Garcia Lorca
Early inspiration for the film came from an unpublished, unfinished play written by Federico Garcia Lorca, the celebrated Spanish poet who was executed by fascist forces at the beginning of the Spanish Civil War in 1936 . The directors said the four pages of unfinished writing sparked their curiosity and drew them in.
The script also draws from Alberto Conejero‘s stage play La Piedra Oscura (The Dark Stone). Conejero co-wrote the screenplay alongside Los Javis.
Calvo told journalists they became “obsessed” with Lorca’s work, immersing themselves in his writings, correspondence, and biographies. “We were trying to connect with what he wanted to do,” he said. “It was years, years of working”.
A Star-Studded Cast
The Black Ball features a cast that includes Miguel Bernardeau, Carlos González, Milo Quifes, and Guitarricadelafuente in lead roles . The film also includes small but pivotal roles for Penélope Cruz and Glenn Close .
Ambrossi told The Hollywood Reporter about the ambition behind the project:
“We thought, ‘Let’s make the gayest war movie ever.’ That’s the politics behind this. And no one told us to change it a bit. And now, here we are”
The film was made for under $15 million and was shot on 35mm, using minimal CGI and making the most of practical locations, extras, and visual effects. Calvo noted that the movie was made with reverence for great war films like Apocalypse Now.
Spain’s Selection and Oscar Predictions
La Bola Negra was chosen from a shortlist that also included Los domingos by Alauda Ruiz de Azúa and El ser querido by Rodrigo Sorogoyen, which stars Javier Bardem . The announcement was made by Alejandro Amenábar, who won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 2005 for Mar adentro.
Javier Calvo reacted to the news during a video call from Toronto:
“We are very excited, thank you very much”
Ambrossi said he was “trembling” and “crying” upon hearing the news, adding that it means “a lot” to them.
According to predictions from The Hollywood Reporter, La Bola Negra is currently among the top five favorites for nominations in several major categories. It ranks fourth for Best Picture and Best Director, and first for Best International Feature Film.
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A Story Spanning Generations
The film’s narrative moves between 1932, 1937, and 2017, connecting three gay men across decades of Spanish history. Their lives thread together through shared experiences of desire, pain, and romance, set against the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War and contemporary times .
Ambrossi explained that while the film started as an intimate story, the team understood there was a political statement behind it that allowed for an “epic gay drama for everyone”.
The Toronto International Film Festival continues through September 20, 2026 . Netflix will release The Black Ball in theaters on October 16, 2026, with streaming to follow on December 2, 2026.
For more coverage of awards season contenders and international cinema, stay tuned to VvipTimes.
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