With this award the Ministry of Culture recognises outstanding contributions in the field of Spanish film during the year before the award, or professional work during that year.
In exceptional cases it can also be awarded to mark the whole of a distinguished career, and a commitment to the world of what is known as "the seventh art". Endowed with €30,000, it has been awarded every year since 1980. Previous prizewinners include towering figures of Spanish film such as the directors Luis García-Berlanga Martín, José Luis Garci and Carlos Saura, or the actors Francisco Rabal and Javier Bardem.