The Fernán Gómez Theatre in Madrid became the epicenter of the Spanish-language podcast world once again with the celebration of the Ondas Global Podcast Awards, a gala that, edition after edition, reinforces these awards' position as the most influential in the Spanish-speaking world. 700 guests They gathered for a night where the most recognized voices in audio came together to celebrate creativity, innovation, and diversity of formats.
The ceremony, broadcast on streaming The event, which aired on the YouTube channels of Cadena SER, EL PAÍS, and the awards themselves, was hosted by journalist Nerea Pérez de las Heras and artist Samantha Hudson, with Laura Márquez on the script. The gala left no one indifferent: humor, live music and messages full of vindication filled the theater on a night full of emotion.
A unique gala: atmosphere, presenters and performances
With Nerea Perez de las Heras y Samantha hudson As masters of ceremonies, the gala mixed acid humor and current referencesJoking about the length of the speeches and local politics, the presenters set a lighthearted tone for the evening. Live music It had special prominence thanks to the performances of Xoel López and Ángeles Toledano, who provided the musical finishing touch to several of the episodes.
The diversity of voices and accents It was a constant on stage, where different languages were heard and topics such as linguistic plurality, social challenges, and current political events were addressed, with direct references to international situations and nods to local reality.
The gala was also characterized by the Presence of guests from the world of culture, networks and politicsAmong the attendees were Inés Hernand, Andrea Compton, Manuel Burque, and Nacho Fresneda, the latter recognized for his role in one of the winning podcasts. Ministers Mónica García and Elma Saiz participated in the trophy presentation, reinforcing the institutional dimension of the event.
Winners: A year of quality and diverse podcasts
In this edition, 19 outstanding projects were recognized., selected from among More than 1.170 applications received from 16 countriesThe specialized jury announced the list of 70 finalists last February, and the awards ultimately went to creators who represent the best of the current scene.
El Best Podcast of the Year It was for "La Ruina" by Ignasi Taltavull and Tomàs Fuentes, repeating triumph for the second consecutive year thanks to their original format of personal stories with a humorous touch. In the Revelation category The award was shared by "Cero Miligramos" (Santi Talledo, Argentina) for its focus on mental health and "Entre el cielo y las nubes" (Laura Escanes, Spain), recognized for its evolution and unique style.
Jordi Wild and his "The Wild Project" took home the award for path in the industry, while "Pack One Bag" was highlighted as Best Foreign Language PodcastOther winners included "Borja, from Valencia to the Vatican" (best in a co-official language), "Sea of Rage" (best production), and "MARE" for its experimental nature.
At Branded-podcast category There was also an ex aequo prize for "Pétrea" and "Simulacro". The recognition of the Best Sound Design went to "Te busco", while "Tamayazo. El podcast" and "La casa grande" shared the award for Best Screenplay thanks to its ability to tell complex stories in an engaging and sensitive way.
The list of award winners is completed by "HUMO: Murder and Silence in El Salvador" (best non-fiction narrative podcast), "Medio Segundo" (best episode), "No es el fin del mundo" (best conversational podcast), "Sastre & Maldonado" (best video podcast), Clara Tiscar for "Criminopatía" (best host), Ana Valeria Becerril in "Caso 63: Enigma" (best performance) and the award for best fiction for "El Tigre". In addition, María Dolores Márquez Villa received a special mention for his role in the same play.
The gala highlighted diversity and vindication in the sector
The event served to give visibility to multiple ways of making podcasts: from narrative proposals to conversational formats, including sound experiments and fiction, with special attention to projects that address social and current issues. The atmosphere in the room ranged from festive and vindictive, with speeches that referred to the international political situation and the importance of culture as a tool against extremism.
During the event, there were references to the situation in El Salvador and the United States, as well as reports of violence, which reinforced the perception of podcasting as a space for social reflection and a plurality of voices.
Laura Escanes was one of the most talked-about images on the red carpet, standing out for her choice of a long, elegant, and minimalist burgundy dress, which also brought a modern and trendy touch to the evening.
