Pinti Awards: All the Winners at the Colón Theater Honoring the Best of Commercial Theater

Culture & Business

The first Pinti Awards winners were crowned at Buenos Aires’s iconic Teatro Colón, with “Una Navidad de mierda” taking Best Comedy and veteran stars Moria Casán and Guillermo Francella receiving career honours, marking a new chapter for Argentina’s commercial theatre industry.

A New Prize for the Business of Theatre

The Pinti Awards, named after the late Argentine actor and comedian Enrique Pinti, arrived with a clear mission: to celebrate the commercial theatre that fills Buenos Aires’s famed Corrientes Avenue night after night. Created by AADET, the trade body representing theatre producers, the awards covered productions staged between August 2025 and June 2026.

Unlike state-subsidised festivals, these prizes focus squarely on the box office — the shows that draw paying audiences, employ large casts and crews, and generate tourism revenue. The choice of the Teatro Colón, Argentina’s most prestigious opera house, signalled the industry’s ambition to elevate commercial theatre to the same cultural standing as classical music and ballet.

The Night’s Big Winners

“Una Navidad de mierda,” an ensemble comedy led by Verónica Llinás, Alejo García Pintos, Tomás Fonzi, and Anita Gutiérrez, took the prize for Best Comedy. Llinás also won Best Actress in a Comedy for her performance in the same production.

In the musical categories, “Charlie y la fábrica de chocolate” — produced by the prolific Carlos Rottemberg and starring host Agustín “Rada” Aristarán — won Best Musical. Aristarán also collected the Best Actor in a Musical award, making him one of the evening’s most visible figures.

The Best Drama or Dramedy prize went to “Las hijas,” directed by Adrián Suar and starring Soledad Villamil, Florencia Peña, and Pilar Gamboa. “Rocky,” a stage adaptation of the boxing film, won the award for highest-attendance drama or dramedy, underlining its commercial pulling power.

Career Awards for Three Industry Pillars

The Pinti Awards dedicated a significant portion of the evening to lifetime achievement. Moria Casán, a vedette and actress whose career spans more than five decades, received the career award for female theatrical performance.

Guillermo Francella, one of Argentina’s most bankable film and television stars who has consistently returned to the stage, took the male acting career honour. Producer Carlos Rottemberg, whose family-run empire of theatres dominates the Corrientes strip, was recognised for his career in theatrical production.

These three figures represent the economic engine of Argentine show business. Rottemberg alone controls multiple venues and has produced hundreds of shows, while Francella and Casán are names that sell out houses within hours of tickets going on sale.

The Full List of Pinti Awards Winners

Across 19 competitive categories, the awards recognised acting, directing, design, and writing talent. “Lo que el río hace,” written by sisters María and Paula Marull, won Best Play by Argentine Authors, a category that highlights original local writing in a market often dominated by international adaptations.

Juan Pablo Geretto won Best Actor in a Comedy for “Berlín Berlín,” while Roberto Peloni took Best Actor in a Drama for “El brote.” Lorena Vega won Best Actress in a Drama for her work in “Imprenteros” and “La vida extraordinaria.”

In the technical categories, “Rocky” won for lighting, sound, and original music design by Mariano Demaría and Santiago Cámara. “Hairspray” collected two awards: costume and characterisation design for Gustavo Alderete, and choreography for Vanesa García Millán.

The audience favourite award, voted by the public, went to the classic musical “Annie.” “El jefe del jefe,” starring Diego Peretti and Federico D’Elía, was named Comedy of the Year. The unipersonal and alternative format prize went to “Suavecita.”

What the Pinti Awards Mean for Buenos Aires Theatre

Buenos Aires has long claimed one of the highest concentrations of theatres per capita in the world, with Corrientes Avenue functioning as its Broadway. The commercial theatre sector is a significant employer and a draw for domestic and regional tourism, particularly from Uruguay, Chile, and Brazil.

By creating an awards show specifically for commercial productions, AADET is building a brand that can market Argentine theatre internationally. The broadcast on eltrece, a major free-to-air network, guarantees visibility that can translate into ticket sales for winning shows.

For investors and expats, the Pinti Awards offer a snapshot of a resilient sector. Even as Argentina navigates economic volatility, theatre attendance remains a cultural constant, and productions that win awards often see extended runs and touring opportunities across Latin America.

More: Argentina news in English, every day from The Rio Times.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Pinti Awards?

The Pinti Awards are a new prize created by AADET, Argentina’s theatre producers’ association, to honour excellence in commercial theatre. Named after the late actor and comedian Enrique Pinti, the first ceremony was held at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires and covered productions staged between August 2025 and July 2026.

Who won the top prizes at the first Pinti Awards?

“Una Navidad de mierda” won Best Comedy, “Las hijas” won Best Drama or Dramedy, and “Charlie y la fábrica de chocolate” won Best Musical. Career awards went to actress Moria Casán, actor Guillermo Francella, and producer Carlos Rottemberg.

Why were the Pinti Awards created?

The awards were established to give commercial theatre in Argentina its own dedicated recognition, separate from state-funded or independent theatre prizes. The goal is to promote the industry, boost ticket sales, and strengthen Buenos Aires’s position as a leading theatre destination in Latin America.

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