Alain Gomis’ ‘Dao’ Wins Valladolid Golden Spike, ‘La Gradiva’ Takes Silver at 71st Seminci

French-Senegalese director Alain Gomis took the top prize at Spain’s 71st Valladolid International Film Festival, with his three-hour family saga “Dao” earning the Golden Spike for best film. The film moves between a wedding in France and an ancestral memorial in Guinea-Bissau, tracing an expansive story across Europe and Africa. Marine Atlan’s debut feature “La Gradiva” won the Silver Spike, marking a strong start for the young French filmmaker. The wins highlight the festival’s commitment to bold, cross-cultural storytelling, with Gomis’ film praised for its intimate yet epic scope and Atlan’s work noted for its fresh perspective. The Valladolid prizes are a key indicator of emerging European cinema talent and often boost films’ profiles ahead of awards season. Both directors now join a distinguished list of Seminci winners, and their films are expected to see increased distribution interest following the recognition.