Laura Hojman

Laura Hojman (born 17 May 1981) is a Spanish film director, screenwriter, and documentary filmmaker. She is best known for her biographical documentaries focusing on Spanish literary figures.

Early life and education She graduated with a degree in Art History and Cultural Management from the University of Seville.

Her interest in cinema began when she started working at the Seville European Film Festival, where she first came into contact with the film industry. She initially worked as a documentary filmmaker, then as a screenwriter, and eventually transitioned to directing.

Career

Early work and Summer Films (2016–2020) In 2016, Hojman co-founded the independent production company Summer Films with Guillermo Rojas. The company specializes in the development of documentary projects and the production and distribution of independent, auteur, and documentary cinema. Summer Films is a member of ANCINE (Andalusian Association of Film Producers), and their works typically focus on historical memory, education, culture, and nature.

Hojman made her directorial debut with the documentary Tierras solares (2018), which explored the trajectory of poet Rubén Darío. The film premiered in the DOC.España section of the Valladolid International Film Festival (SEMINCI).

Documentary breakthrough (2020–2022) Hojman's second feature film, Antonio Machado. Los días azules (2020), focused on the Sevillian poet Antonio Machado. The documentary was screened at the Seville European Film Festival and featured a "subtle but profound emotional charge constructed through historical narrative, testimonies, and the capture of the essence of the author's texts." The film included the voice of actor Pedro Casablanc, brief animated fragments, and musical accompaniment.

The film received significant recognition, earning Hojman the Best Director award at the ASECAN Andalusian Film Awards in 2020.

In 2022, Hojman directed A las mujeres de España. María Lejárraga, a documentary about the recovery of women's historical memory. Hojman discovered María Lejárraga while reading works by Antonina Rodrigo, an Andalusian author who has rescued from oblivion women who played fundamental roles in Spanish history.

Recent recognition (2023–present) A las mujeres de España. María Lejárraga achieved unprecedented recognition for a Spanish documentary, becoming the only Spanish documentary film to be nominated for all three major national film awards: the Goya Awards, Feroz Awards, and Forqué Awards.

In 2024, Hojman completed Un hombre libre (A Free Man), a documentary about the life of exiled writer Agustín Gómez Arcos. The 88-minute film, co-written with María D. Valderrama, is scheduled for commercial release in 2025.

In March 2025, Hojman received the ASECAN Josefina Molina Award at the 24th Spanish Film Festival of Jaén, recognizing her cinematographic trajectory.

Other activities Hojman is a member of ANCINE (Andalusian Association of Film Producers) and served as president of AAMMA (Andalusian Association of Women in Audiovisual Media) from 2020 to 2021. She approaches cinema from a perspective of political commitment, with her works consistently addressing themes of historical memory, education, culture, and nature.

Her documentaries have been selected for prestigious national and international festivals, including SEMINCI, the Seville European Film Festival, the Ibero-American Film Festival of Huelva, Alcances, and the Málaga Film Festival.

Filmography

As director Year Title English title Notes 2018 Tierras solares Solar Lands Documentary about Rubén Darío 2020 Antonio Machado. Los días azules Antonio Machado. The Blue Days Documentary about Antonio Machado 2022 A las mujeres de España. María Lejárraga To the Women of Spain. María Lejárraga Documentary about María Lejárraga 2024 Un hombre libre A Free Man Documentary about Agustín Gómez Arcos

As screenwriter Year Title English title Role 2016 Acariciando el aire, Matilde Coral Caressing the Air, Matilde Coral Screenwriter 2018 Tierras solares Solar Lands Director and screenwriter 2019 Llamando al cielo Calling to Heaven Screenwriter 2019 Se prohíbe el cante Singing is Forbidden Screenwriter 2020 Antonio Machado. Los días azules Antonio Machado. The Blue Days Director and screenwriter 2022 A las mujeres de España. María Lejárraga To the Women of Spain. María Lejárraga Director and screenwriter 2024 Un hombre libre A Free Man Director and screenwriter

As producer Year Title Director Notes 2020 Una vez más Guillermo Rojas Feature film - wardrobe direction 2024 Solos en la noche Guillermo Rojas

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result 2020 RTVA Awards Best Filmmaker of Andalusia Antonio Machado. Los días azules 2020 IMAGENERA Awards Best Feature Film Antonio Machado. Los días azules 2020 Forqué Awards Best Documentary Feature Antonio Machado. Los días azules 2021 ASFAAN Awards Cinematographic Trajectory 2021 ASECAN Awards Andalusian Cinema Antonio Machado. Los días azules (6 awards) 2021 Goya Awards Best Documentary Feature Antonio Machado. Los días azules (10 nominations) 2022 IX Festival Nuevo Cine Andaluz Best Editing A las mujeres de España. María Lejárraga 2023 ASECAN Awards Non-Fiction and Original Music A las mujeres de España. María Lejárraga 2023 Forqué Awards Best Documentary Feature A las mujeres de España. María Lejárraga 2023 Feroz Awards Best Documentary A las mujeres de España. María Lejárraga 2023 Carmen Awards Best Documentary Feature A las mujeres de España. María Lejárraga 2023 Goya Awards Best Documentary Feature A las mujeres de España. María Lejárraga 2025 ASECAN Josefina Molina Award Cinematographic Trajectory