Catalina Sandino Moreno made her screen debut as the title character in the critically-acclaimed film "Maria Full of Grace" from Fine Line Features/HBO, marking a significant milestone in her illustrious career.
Her remarkable performance in the film earned her a plethora of prestigious nominations, including an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, a Screen Actors Guild Award for Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role, and an Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead.
The film made its debut in the United States at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award, and was subsequently released in limited theaters in July 2004.
The film's success continued to unfold as it won the Grand Special Prize at the 2004 Deauville Film Festival, cementing its status as a critically-acclaimed masterpiece.
Sandino's performance in the film also garnered her numerous other awards and nominations, including the Silver Berlin Bear for Best Actress at the 2004 Berlin International Film Festival, the Golden Space Needle Award for Best Actress at the 2004 Seattle International Film Festival, and the award for Breakthrough Actor at the 2004 Gotham Awards.
Her outstanding talent and dedication to her craft did not go unnoticed, as she was named ShoWest's International Star of the Year for 2005, a testament to her rapid rise to stardom.
Today, Sandino resides in Los Angeles, where she continues to hone her craft and entertain audiences with her captivating performances.
