Gibraltar Cultural Services, on behalf of the Ministry of Culture, has announced the results of this year’s Cultural Awards. The winners were presented with their awards at a Gala event at The Sunborn Hotel which was broadcast live by GBC.  

A statement from GCS follows below:

The Awards aim to celebrate Gibraltar’s arts and culture, looking at the achievements and  successes of individuals and groups. These awards recognise and highlight potential, ability,  talent, and achievement, whilst at the same time supporting the community’s artistic and  cultural development.  

The selection process included an open invitation to the public for nominations, which led to  a shortlist approved by the Cultural Awards Board. The public was then invited to be part of  the process and vote for the shortlisted nominees in a number of categories via a telephone  vote set up by Gibtelecom. The Board also voted on awards for Special Recognition,  Extraordinary Achievement, Cultural Ambassador and Lifetime Achievement. 

The Award winners are as follows: 

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD presented to the DSA Sequence Dance Club 

In recognition of its service to the community over decades, having recently celebrated its 70th anniversary. The club boasts a membership of over 110 dancers fostering cultural interest and  community, and promoting a passion for dance that has enriched Gibraltar’s community over  this time. 

JUNIOR AWARD (15 and Under) - awarded to Arianna Gianani 

Arianna, a talented 14-year-old filmmaker, writer, and actress, won GBC’s 2023 Short Film  Competition and starred in Love Grace, a film celebrated at festivals across Europe, the USA,  and Asia, earning a laurel at the Marbella International Film Festival (2024). As a GAMPA  student, she wrote and performed Little White Lies at the Magazine Theatre. Additionally, she  is active in Gibraltar’s Hindu community, participating in dance and cultural performances,  showcasing her versatility across multiple creative fields.

YOUTH AWARD (21 and Under) - awarded to Stella Bosano 

At 17, this talented artist, dancer, and makeup artist has earned notable achievements across  disciplines. She won the GCS Video Competition, is a core member of the Gibraltar National  Dance Team and received the Alwani Foundation Award at the 2024 Young Artist  Competition, along with a Highly Commended. She also claimed 1st Junior Prize and the David  Gladstone Prize at the 34th Heritage Painting Exhibition. In dance, she won multiple awards  at the Gibraltar International Dance Festival.  

SENIOR AWARD (22 and Over) - awarded to Erica McGrail & Nicole Valverde 

Recognising the dedication and successes of two individuals in the fields of drama and dance  respectively. Erica McGrail, an accomplished actress and director, won Best Actress for her  role in Bull at the 2024 Gibraltar International Drama Festival. Her performance later earned  her Best Performance at the 2024 UK National Drama Festival. Additionally, she co-directed  Medusa, which was Runner-Up at the Gibraltar festival Erica’s talents as both a performer and  director continue to make a strong impact on the drama scene. Nicole Valverde continues to  make an impact in the professional dance stage featuring in high-profile events including the  Champions League Final with Lenny Kravitz. She has featured in several major advertising  campaigns across the UK and Ireland opened for Andrea Bocelli in London and contributed to  a popular feature film recently released. 

BEST EDUCATIONAL PROJECT – awarded to Women of Gibraltar by Claire Montado 

Women of Gibraltar, commissioned by the Ministry of Equality, is an innovative book by Claire  Montado, CEO of the Gibraltar Heritage Trust, with illustrations by Beatrice Garcia. Based on  historical research, it profiles 25 remarkable women from Gibraltar’s history, from the  Neanderthal era to present day, celebrating their contributions and offering a fresh  perspective on their influential roles. 

CULTURAL AMBASSADOR AWARD- presented to Adrian Pisarello 

Adrian Pisarello’s dedication, passion and influence as a musician and songwriter, continues  to have an impact, with his lifetime dedication recognised with this award. With an extensive  musical CV, his reach continues to be relevant. His original style has seen him perform  internationally, producing numerous albums and winning the John Lennon Songwriting  Contest in Latin America. His music reflects Gibraltar's culture, with his genuine, heartfelt  songwriting capturing his connection to the Rock and life’s emotional journeys. 

EXTRAORDINARY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – presented to Monica Popham 

It’s been a brilliant year for the artist after gaining international acclaim with her win at the  2024 Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year. The £10,000 commission for the London Science  Museum, part of her prize, has propelled her artistic reputation with the work on show in the  UK capital. Known locally for her mural at GAMPA, impact as a young artist, and grounded  nature, Monica encourages emerging artists to experiment and persist, bringing both pride  and international attention to Gibraltar.

THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – presented to Richard  Cartwright 

Recognised for his dedication to broadcasting, music, community, and cultural programmes.  Formerly a partner of singer/songwriter Albert Hammond in the 1960s, Richard joined GBC  in 1972 and became a household name as the presenter of shows like Richard's Rendezvous.  Over the years he hosted many key programmes on TV and Radio becoming Senior Presenter  in 1988, a role he held until 2005 before his retirement. A promoter of Gibraltarian culture, he  was at the helm of City Talk, Two's Company, and Talk about Town, also hosting major events  like the Miss Gibraltar Pageant and Gibraltar Song Festival. His voice still sounds on the  airways in ‘Yesterday When I Was Young’ on Radio Gibraltar. 

Minister for Equality, Employment, Culture and Tourism, The Hon. Christian Santos GMD MP  said: “The Cultural Awards continue to recognise the talent and dedication of people in the  arts in Gibraltar. My congratulations to all the nominees and especially the winners on their  achievements. These Awards showcase people of all ages, from beginners starting on their  trajectory to the more seasoned, those who have already made an impact on the cultural  landscape and will continue to do so. My thanks to Gibraltar Cultural Services for organising  the Awards and producing a platform to celebrate culture, the arts and all performers”.