The category was first awarded in 1986 to Fernando Fernán Gómez's drama film Voyage to Nowhere.
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Secrets of the Heart, The Grandfather and Pain and Glory were nominated while Belle Époque, All About My Mother and The Sea Inside won.
Argentine-Spanish productions The Secret in Their Eyes and Wild Tales also received a nomination in the category but representing Argentina, with the former winning.
Mexican-Spanish film Pan's Labyrinth was nominated representing Mexico.
In the list below the winner of the award for each year is shown first, followed by the other nominees.