Berlin: The Berlin Film Festival 2023 threw up a special winner.
Spaniard Sofia Otero, all of 8 years old, was adjudged Best Actor for her role of a trans girl in the film ‘20,000 Species of Bees’.
Otero plays a nine-year-old child, who was born a boy but considers herself a girl, in Spanish director Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren’s debut feature film.
Awe struck when her name was announced by the master of ceremonies, Sofia fought back tears as she gave her acceptance speech after receiving the award.
Watch the little girl’s video clip which has gone viral on social media:
Ayer ‘As bestas’ ganó el #Cesar2023 a la mejor película extranjera, esta noche la jovencísima Sofía Otero se ha llevado el Oso de plata en la #Berlinale por ‘20.000 especie de abejas’. Luego para que digan que el cine español es malo 😍
— Urko Urbieta (@AgenteUrbit) February 25, 2023
She told mediapersons later that wanted to dedicate her life to acting.
The director said it was important for her to pick a girl, and not a boy, to play the role.
“It is easier for her. She’s a really intelligent girl,” Urresola said.
The focus of some other films which were rewarded also focused on gender and identity issues.
Austrian transgender actress Thea Ehre was presented the award for Best Supporting Actor for her performance in ‘Till the End of the Night’.
