Selected by Variety in 2019 as a Spanish talent to track and by Screen International in 2021 as a Star of Tomorrow, Álvaro Gago (Vigo, 1986) studied Communication and Music in Pontevedra, Drama in Chicago and Filmmaking at the London Film School, where he graduated with distinction in 2013 with the short film Curricán. In London, he established himself as a director and editor while teaching at the Young Film School and organizing the Galician Film Forum.
                  In 2017 he directed the 2019 Goya-nominated short film Matria which won him over seventy awards including the 2018 Sundance Grand Jury Prize.  That year he edited Trote, Xacio Baño’s debut film, which had its world premiere at the 2018 Locarno Film Festival and its Spanish premiere at the 2018 San Sebastián Film Festival. His follow-up short film, 16 de decembro, premiered at the 2019 Locarno Film Festival and was also nominated for the 2020 Goya Awards.
                  His first feature film, titled Matria, like the short, had its world premiere at the 73rd edition of the Berlinale and its Spanish premiere at the Málaga Film Festival where it won Best Actress and Best Debut Film. He is currently developing his second feature film, Porto Alegre, as part of the Spanish Film Academy's Residency Program.