Later, Verdú said that her role in "Lovers" marked a turning point in her screen career and has brought about a maturity as a performer. Thereafter, she worked with such directors as José Luis Garci in "Cradle Song" ("Canción de cuna"); Bigas Luna in "Golden Balls" ("Huevos de Oro"); again with Trueba in the Oscar-nominated "Belle Époque"; Emilio Martínez-Lázaro in "Carreteras Secundarias"; Carlos Saura in "Goya in Bordeaux" ("Goya en Burdeos"); and Gonzalo Suárez in "El Portero" and "Oviedo Express". On the international stage, her career hit a highpoint when she starred in "Y tu mamá también" by Alfonso Cuarón, followed by "Pan's Labyrinth" by Guillermo del Toro. Verdú was subsequently invited to be a part of the Academy in Hollywood.