Andorran Art Director Laia Ateca Celebrates Independent Film Sirat's Award Nominations

Laia Ateca, an Andorran art director, is enjoying widespread acclaim for her work on the independent film *Sirat*, which has exceeded all expectations with its festival success and awards nominations.

The production has secured nods for the Gaudí Awards, presented today, as well as the Goya Awards, following its win for European cinema. Ateca described the response as overwhelming: the team had anticipated appeal to a niche audience but were surprised by its broad reach, given the film's complex script.

The project demanded nearly a year of preparation, including sourcing and customising trucks—three of each model, though the film makes them appear as one—before filming began. Shooting took place over three weeks in Terol, near Valencia, and seven weeks in Morocco. Key challenges included transporting the non-roadworthy trucks daily across changing locations and building sets in unfamiliar territory.

Standout rave scenes were filmed at Terol's Rambla Roja with real ravers from local collectives, rather than actors, to capture authenticity. In Morocco, Ateca led a mostly local crew, bringing just three familiar team members, and navigated cultural differences as a female director.

Ateca views the recognition as particularly rewarding amid the sector's demanding nature, where many equally rigorous efforts go unnoticed. She highlighted growing Andorran talent in audiovisual work, often abroad, and called for more local shoots to boost jobs, culture, and the economy—prioritising productions over new schools.

The ESCAC graduate, whose credits include assisting on Woody Allen's *Vicky Cristina Barcelona*, has another project premiering at the Berlin Film Festival on 13 February: *Iván & Hadoum*, a transgender love story set in an Almería tomato packing plant, shot last summer.

For aspiring professionals, Ateca advised persistence: the field is grueling, so passion is essential. She is unsure about returning to Andorra long-term, citing career demands, but hopes for sector growth there.