RNE awards director Francesc Betriu the Sant Jordi Special Award for Cinematography for Lifetime Achievement

The award recognizes the extensive career of the Catalan filmmaker that spans six decades with films such as 'Requiem for a Spanish Peasant' and 'La plaça del Diamant'.

RNE recognizes the professional career and outstanding work of film director Francesc Betriu with the Sant Jordi Special Award for Cinematography for Lifetime Achievement. The awards, which celebrate their 58th edition this year, will be presented on April 28. The winners include 'People in Places', by Juan Cavestany, as best Spanish film.

The RNE Sant Jordi Lifetime Achievement Award to Francesc Betriu is a recognition of the Catalan filmmaker, and also of a generation of filmmakers who have left their mark on Spanish cinema.

Born in Organyà (Lleida) in 1940, Francesc Betriu studied at the Official School of Cinematography and began making films in the 60s with a short film about the Beatles in Madrid.

As a characteristic feature of his career, which spans six decades, many of his films are inspired by literary works such as Requiem for a Spanish peasant adaptation by Ramón J. Sender, and Diamond Square by Mercè Rodoreda. A success shared with TVE, the network for which he made the series one day I will return, adaptation of the work of Juan Marsé.

The Andalusian Widow, Spanish Fury, The Faithful Servants, The Red Duchess y A perfect couple are other titles that stand out in the varied career of this director, who has collaborated with Rafael Azcona and José Luis García Sánchez and who in recent years has focused on the documentary genre, with works such as Monica del Raval. At 74 years old, Francesc Betriu continues to be active, preparing new projects.

This award is added to the list of winners of the Sant Jordi Cinematography Awards: best Spanish film People in places, by Juan Cavestany; At Plaga, by Neus Ballús, best debut; Antonio Dechent and Aura Garrido best actor and actress respectively. In the international section, The great beauty, directed by Paolo Sorrentino, best foreign film; and Adèle Exarchopoulos and Matthew McConaughey, awards for best foreign actress and best actor.

The delivery gala will be held on April 28 at the Old Estrella Damm Factory in Barcelona.