A ceremony was held in Havana and included the attendance of American actors Robert Duvall, James Caan and Bill Murray.
The Tomas Gutiérrez Alea Award was given to the 42-year-old Puerto Rican star in recognition of his work as Ernesto "Che" Guevara in two films last year, among other roles. The films were very successful on the Caribbean island. Che was an ally of Fidel Castro during the revolution in Cuba in 1959.
It was the first time that the prize, awarded by the National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba, was awarded. It is named in honour of a Cuban filmmaker.
The ceremony also demonstrated that relations between the US and Cuba are warming now that President Obama has taken office.