Héctor Cantolla criticizes Goya Awards and warns of AI threat

Veteran Spanish voice actor Héctor Cantolla has raised concerns regarding both the lack of professional recognition for dubbing artists and the existential threat posed by artificial intelligence.

Speaking at the Celsius 232 Festival in Avilés, Cantolla criticized the Goya Awards and the Spanish Film Academy for failing to include dubbing professionals in their honors. He noted that even international stars like Sigourney Weaver have acknowledged that their Spanish voice actors, such as María Luisa Solá, can surpass their own performances, yet the industry remains unrewarded by the Academy.

Cantolla also identified artificial intelligence as the profession’s “greatest enemy.” He warned that AI technology can use a single line of a performer's voice to dub an entire film, leading to new contractual requirements where actors must stipulate that their voices are used exclusively for a specific medium to prevent unauthorized AI replication.