40th Guadalajara International Film Festival

40th Guadalajara International Film Festival
Official poster by Jis.
Opening filmI Am Frankelda
LocationGuadalajara, Mexico
AwardsMezcal Award: Llamarse Olimpia
Best Ibero-American Film: The Blue Trail
Festival dateJune 6–14, 2025

The 40th Guadalajara International Film Festival is scheduled to take place from June 6 to 14, 2025, in Guadalajara, Mexico.[1] The festival will open with the Mexican Animated film I Am Frankelda, based on the series Frankelda's Book of Spooks and directed by brothers Arturo and Roy Ambriz Rendón.[2]

The documentary film Llamarse Olimpia, directed by Indira Cato, won the Mezcal Award for Best Mexican Film; Gabriel Mascaro's international co-production The Blue Trail won Best Ibero-American Film, and Alberto Serra's Afternoons of Solitude won Best Ibero-American Documentary Film.

Background

Portugal was chosen as the guest of honor for this year's edition, with Portuguese actress Maria de Medeiros being honored with the Homenaje, Guest of Honor.[3] Mexican actress and film producer Dolores Heredia received the Silver Mayahuel Lifetime Achievement Award (Mayahuel de Plata), while Mexican film producer Mónica Lozano Serrano was honoured with the Mayahuel FICG Industry Award. Chilean actress Daniela Vega received the Maguey Queer Icon Award, Mexican musician Denisse Guerrero and lead vocalist of the electropop band Belanova received the Maguey Lifetime Achievement Award, and Spanish filmmaker J. A. Bayona received the International Mayahuel Award.[4]

A new section named Cine de Género was introduced, focused on "genre films", including horror, fantasy, and science fiction.[5]

The festival's poster was designed by cartoonist José Ignacio Solórzano "Jis" and features a centaur as a metaphor for "the nature of cinema, a fusion of diverse elements, a times wonderful, other times chaotic".[5][6]

Official selections

The following films were selected for the different sections:[7]

Mezcal Award

Highlighted title indicates section's best film winner.
English Title Original Title Director(s) Production countrie(s)
Café Chairel Fernando Barreda Luna Mexico
Boca Vieja Yovegami Ascona Mora Mexico
Cocodrilos J. Xavier Velasco Mexico, United States
At the End of the World (HeJ) En el fin del mundo Abraham Escobedo-Salas Mexico, Belgium
Islander Isleño César Talamantes Mexico
Llamarse Olimpia Indira Cato Mexico
Miraba Caer las Gotas Iluminadas por los Relámpagos, y Cada Que Respiraba Suspiraba, y Cada Vez Que Pensaba, Pensaba en Ti José de Jesús Gutiérrez García, Carlos San Juan Mexico
Un Mundo Para Mí (MG) Alejandro Zuno Mexico
Rock, Weed and Wheels Autos, Mota y Rocanrol José Manuel Cravioto Mexico
Doce Lunas Victoria Franco Mexico
(MG) indicates eligible for the Maguey Award, for films that include LGBTQ+ themes.
(HeJ) indicates film eligible for the Hecho en Jalisco Award.

Ibero-American Fiction Feature Film

Highlighted title indicates section's best film winner.
English Title Original Title Director(s) Production countrie(s)
Cuerpo Celeste Nayra Ilic García Chile, Italia
Away (MG) Molt lluny Gerard Oms Spain, Netherlands
The Best Mother in the World A melhor mãe do mundo Anna Muylaert Brazil
Bitter Gold Oro amargo Juan Olea Chile, Mexico, Uruguay, Germany
The Blue Trail (MG) O Último Azul Gabriel Mascaro Brazil, Mexico, Netherlands, Chile
La Quinta Silvina Schnicer Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Spain
Deaf Sorda Eva Libertad Spain
Dreaming of Lions Sonhar com Leões Paolo Marinou-Blanco Portugal, Brazil, Spain
Martina's Search A Procura de Martina Márcia Faria Brazil, Uruguay
Esta Isla Lorraine Jones Molina, Cristian Carretero Puerto Rico
Tiguere José Maria Cabral Dominican Republic
The Wild Years Los años salvajes Andrés Nazarala Chile
(MG) indicates eligible for the Maguey Award, for films that include LGBTQ+ themes.

Ibero-American Documentary Feature Film

Highlighted title indicates section's best film winner.
English Title Original Title Director(s) Production countrie(s)
Cais Safira Moreira Brazil
El Canto de las Manos María Valverde Spain, United States
Copan Carine Wallauer Brazil, France
Runa Simi Augusto Zegarra Peru
Croma (MG) Manuel Abramovich Argentina, Germany, Austria
Afternoons of Solitude Tardes de soledad Albert Serra Spain, France, Portugal
Black Gold Ouro negro Takashi Sugimoto Portugal
The Flamenco Guitar of Yerai Cortés La guitarra flamenca de Yerai Cortés Antón Álvarez Spain
Eco de Luz Misha Vallejo Prut Ecuador, Argentina
Paradise Ana Rieper Brazil
Savanna and the Mountain A Savana e a Montanha Paulo Carneiro Portugal, Uruguay
Sunset of the Crickets El atardecer de los grillos Gonzalo Almeida Argentina
(MG) indicates eligible for the Maguey Award, for films that include LGBTQ+ themes.

Ibero-American Short Film

Highlighted title indicates section's best film winner.
English Title Original Title Director(s) Production countrie(s)
Granma(ther) Nicolás Baksht Somonte Mexico
Malicia Edward Gómez Granada Mexico
Alice Gabriel Novis Brazil
Músicas Lila Avilés Mexico
Barbed Wire Arame Farpado Gustavo de Carvalho Brazil
Flying Carpet Tapete Voador Justin Amorim Portugal
Te Prometo Violencia Juan Maria Leon Mexico
La Miel Inmaculada Mauricio Calderón Rico Mexico
Sólo Kim Javier Prieto de Paula, Diego Herrero Spain
El Paso Roberto Tarazona Cuba
El Lagarto de la 20 Ricardo Soto Mexico
De Sucre Clàudia Cedó Spain
My Mother is a Cow Minha Mãe é uma Vaca Moara Passoni Brazil
Furia Fran Moreno Blanco, Santi Pujol Amat Spain
Aigua Salina Abraham Delgado, Ivet Moreno Spain
Semillas de Kivu Néstor López, Carlos Valle Spain
Someday the Night Will Come Un día llegará la noche Chica Barbosa Mexico, Spain
Atardecer en América Matías Rojas Valencia Brazil, Chile, Colombia
'Las Voces del Despeñadero Irving Serrano, Victor Rejón Mexico
Año de Casados Pablo Camargo López Mexico
(HeJ) indicates film eligible for the Hecho en Jalisco Award.

International Animation Feature Film

Highlighted title indicates section's best film winner.
English Title Original Title Director(s) Production countrie(s)
Space Cadet Kid Koala Canada
Lesbian Space Princess (MG) Emma Hough Hobbs, Leela Varghese Australia
Endless Cookie Seth Scriver Canada
The Great History of Western Philosophy La gran historia de la filosofía occidental Aria Covamonas Mexico
I Am Frankelda (opening film) Soy Frankelda Roy Ambriz, Arturo Ambriz Mexico
Maya, Give Me a Title Maya, donne-moi un titre Michel Gondry France
Olivia & the Clouds Olivia & Las Nubes Tomás Pichardo Espaillat Dominican Republic
Pig That Survived Foot-and-Mouth Disease 구제역에서 살아 돌아온 돼지 Bum-Wook Hur South Korea
(MG) indicates eligible for the Maguey Award, for films that include LGBTQ+ themes.

Maguey Award

The following list consists of the films eligible for the Maguey Award that are not listed in the previous competition tables. The films in contention for both the Maguey Award and other competition section appear with the symbol (MG) next to it.

Highlighted title indicates section's best film winner.
English Title Original Title Director(s) Production countrie(s)
La Joia: Bad Gyal David Camarero Spain
Hot Milk Rebecca Lenkiewicz United Kingdom
Queer as Punk Yihwen Chen Malaysia, Indonesia
Cactus Pears Sabar Bonda Rohan Parashuram Kanawade India, United Kingdom, Canada
Siempre Vuelven Sergio De León Uruguay, Argentina
The Nature of Invisible Things A natureza das coisas invisíveis Rafaela Camelo Brazil, Chile
Only Good Things Apenas coisas boas Daniel Nolasco Brazil
Sobre las Olas (HeJ) Horacio Alcalá Mexico, Spain, France
Llueve sobre Babel Gala del Sol Colombia, Spain, United States
Two Times João Liberada Duas vezes João Liberada Paula Tomás Marques Portugal
(HeJ) indicates film eligible for the Hecho en Jalisco Award.

Cine de Género

Highlighted title indicates section's best film winner.
English Title Original Title Director(s) Production countrie(s)
El Tema del Verano Pablo Stoll Uruguay, Argentina, Chile
Don't Leave the Kids Alone No Dejes a los Niños Solos Emilio Portes Mexico
Restless Waters, Shivering Lights Faro Ángeles Hernández Spain, Argentina
The Innocents (MG) Los Inocentes Germán Tejada Mexico, Peru
A Yard of Jackals Patio de Chacales Diego Figueroa Chile
(MG) indicates eligible for the Maguey Award, for films that include LGBTQ+ themes.

Rigo Mora Award

Highlighted title indicates section's best film winner.
English Title Original Title Director(s) Production countrie(s)
Nabu Joanna Rusinek Poland
Retirement Plan John Kelly Ireland
Underground Invaders Shera Courtalhac, Ines Molinier, Victor Lesaffre, Maëlle Metaireau, Dana Guyot, Ines Dolivet, Meggie Bernier France
Dragfox Lisa Ott United Kingdom
Two Ships McKinley Benson Portugal, United States
Il Burattino e la Balena Roberto Catani France, Italy
Jeanne & Jean Jean Jeanne et Jean Jean Thanys Martin France
Snow Bear Aaron Blaise United States
My Gut Friend Becho y Mab Argentina, Mexico
Como si la Tierra se las Hubiera Tragado Natalia León France
Luz Diabla Gervasio Canda, Patricio Patricio, Paula Boffo Argentina, Canada
The Little Ancestor La petite ancêtre Alexa Tremblay-Francoeur Canada
Buffet Paraíso Héctor Zafra, Santi Amézqueta Spain, France
See You Soon (HeJ) Hasta Pronto Jennifer Skarbnik López Mexico
Sisowath Quay Quai Sisowath Stéphanie Lansaque, François Leroy France
(HeJ) indicates film eligible for the Hecho en Jalisco Award.

Socio-Environmental Cinema Award

The following list consists of the films eligible for the Socio-Environmental Cinema Award that are not listed in the previous competition tables.

Highlighted title indicates section's best film winner.
English Title Original Title Director(s) Production countrie(s)
Seeds Brittany Shyne United States
The Mountain Won't Move Мојот летен распуст Petra Seliškar Slovenia, Macedonia, France
Only on Earth Robin Petré Denmark, Spain
The Red List Ross Pierson United Kingdom
The Shepherd and the Bear Max Keegan United States, United Kingdom, France
The Memory of Butterflies La memoria de las mariposas Tatiana Fuentes Sadowski Peru, Portugal

Hecho en Jalisco

The following list consists of the films eligible for the Hecho en Jalisco that are not listed in the previous competition tables. The films in contention for both the Made in Jalisco and other competition section appear with the symbol (HeJ) next to it.

Highlighted title indicates section's best film winner.
English Title Original Title Director(s) Production countrie(s)
Gamboa Emiliano Alcaraz Díaz Mexico
Duva Jonathan Álvarez Peña Mexico
Abracadáver Pancho Rodríguez Mexico
Across the Breakwater Entre las Rocas y el Mar Alessandra Vera Gonzalez Mexico
Una Torreta en Llamas Humberto Flores Jáuregui Mexico
Carbon Carbono Alberto Arvizu, Yael González Mexico, Peru
Ceremonia Dan Chávez Mexico
Hijos del Agave Iván López-Barba Mexico
Cangrejos en el Aire Esteban Guerrero Carranco Mexico
The Daughters of the Wind Las Hijas del Viento José Camacho Cabrera Mexico
The Diver Who Stayed on Land El Buzo Que se Quedó en Tierra Diana Castro Cabrera, Magali Espinosa Ortega Mexico
La Mosca en la Pared Mar Novo Mexico
No, Gracias, Ya No Fumo Diego Toussaint Mexico
Secret Theatre Teatro Secreto Diego Martínez Gutiérrez Mexico
Silenciados Daniel Malvido Mexico
Somewhere Within Me (MG) En Algún Lugar Dentro de Mí Andoeni Padilla Mexico
Pisadas de Sangre Emiliano Monroy Pineda Mexico
Until God Remember Us Hasta Que Dios se Acuerde de Nosotros André González Arias, Victor Cartas Valdivia, Isabella Hernández Sánchez Mexico

Other sections

Charity Galas

English Title Original Title Director(s) Production countrie(s)
8 Julio Medem Spain
On Swift Horses Daniel Minahan United States
The Life of Chuck Mike Flanagan United States
Mollusk Molusco Mauricio Bidault Mexico
Maguey Lifetime Achievement Award: Denisse Guerrero
The Fantasy Died (MG) Murió la Fantasia Rubén R. Bañuelos, Iván López Barba Mexico
(MG) indicates eligible for the Maguey Award, for films that include LGBTQ+ themes.

Guadalajara Construye

English Title Original Title Director(s) Production countrie(s)
8 Maneras de Morir Mar Novo Mexico
Génesis Magaly Ugarte de Pablo Mexico
Tierras Niñas Zara Monardes Chile
Aquí Hay Dragones Iria Gómez Concheiro Mexico, Chile
O Monstro Germano Teixeira de Oliveira Brazil
Los Nadadores Sol Iglesias SK Argentina
Aquella Sombra Desvanecía Samuel Urbina Peru

Cinema Libre

English Title Original Title Director(s) Production countrie(s)
Rogéria (2024) Salvador Gil Portugal
The Mourning Of (2024) Merced Elizondo United States
Flores Amarillas (2024) Jessica Arzate, Kim Caicedo United States
Asesinos de la Lucha Libre (1962) Manuel Muñoz Rodríguez Mexico
Azi (2024) Montana Mann United States
Kundalini (2023) (MG) Gavb Real Mexico
Ily, Bye (2024) Taylor James United States
Ecstacy (2023) Carolina Costa Mexico
Concerto for Other Hands (2024) Concierto para otras manos Ernesto González Díaz Mexico
Flamingos: Life After the Meteorite (2024) Lorenzo Hagerman Mexico
Santo and Blue Demon vs. the Monsters (1970) Santo y Blue Demon contra los monstruos Gilberto Martínez Solares Mexico
The Shell Covered Ox (2024) Boi de Conchas Daniel Barosa Brazil, United States

Son de Cine In-Edit

English Title Original Title Director(s) Production countrie(s)
ZEF: The Story of Die Antwoord (2024) Jon Day South Africa
Turnstile: Never Enough (2025) Brendan Yates, Pat McCrory United States
Salsa Lives (2025) La salsa vive Juan Carvajal Colombia, United States
A Song for My Land (2024) Una canción para mi tierra Mauricio Albornoz Iniesta Argentina, Colombia, Germany
The Water Eyed Boy (2024) O Menino D'Olho D'Água Lírio Ferreira, Carolina Sá Brazil

Imágenes Restauradas

English Title Original Title Director(s) Production countrie(s)
Onda Nova (1983) Ícaro "Francisco C" Martins, José Antonio Garcia Brazil
Solo Sunny (1980) Konrad Wolf, Wolfgang Kohlhaase East Germany

Portugal, Guest of Honor

English Title Original Title Director(s) Production countrie(s)
Alma Viva (2022) Cristèle Alves Meira Portugal
Balane 3 (2025) Ico Costa Portugal, France
Down to Earth (1995) Casa de Lava Pedro Costa Portugal, France, Germany
Francisca (1981) Manoel de Oliveira Portugal
Gentle Women (2025) Damas Cláudia Alves Portugal
Lisbon Story (1994) O Céu de Lisboa Wim Wenders Portugal, Germany
Maria do Mar (1930) Leitão de Barros Portugal
The Nothing Factory (2017) A Fábrica de Nada Pedro Pinho Portugal
Kali the Little Vampire (2012) Kali, Le Petit Vampire Regina Pessoa France, Portugal, Canada, Switzerland
Nayola (2022) José Miguel Ribeiro Portugal
Torre Bela (1975) Thomas Harlan Portugal, Italy
Trás-os-Montes (1976) António Reis, Margarida Cordeiro Portugal
Transe (2006) Teresa Villaverde Portugal, France
The Domain (2019) A Herdade Tiago Guedes Portugal, France
The Jester (1987) O Bobo José Álvaro Morais Portugal
The Green Years (1963) Os Verdes Anos Paulo Rocha Portugal
The Metamorphosis of Birds (2020) A Metamorfose dos Pássaros Catarina Vasconcelos Portugal
My Grandfather's Demons (2022) Os Demónios do meu avô Nuno Beato Portugal, Spain, France
Mysteries of Lisbon (2010) Mistérios de Lisboa Raúl Ruiz Portugal, France
Them, Fado Bicha (2024) (MG) As Fado Bicha Justine Lemahieu Portugal
Tragic Story with Happy Ending (2005) Histoire tragique avec fin heureuse Regina Pessoa Portugal, Canada, France
The Portuguese (2025) Portugueses Vicente Alves do Ó Portugal
The Night (1999) A Noite Regina Pessoa Portugal
A Portuguese Goodbye (1986) Um Adeus Português João Botelho Portugal
Recollections of the Yellow House (1989) Recordações da Casa Amarela João César Monteiro Portugal
A Woman's Revenge (2012) A Vingança de uma Mulher Rita Azevedo Gomes Portugal
Uncle Thomas: Accounting for the Days (2019) Tio Tomás, A Contabilidade Dos Dias Regina Pessoa Portugal, Canada, France
Homenaje Portugal, Guest of Honor: Maria de Medeiros
Silvestre (1981) João César Monteiro Portugal
April Captains (2000) Capitães de Abril Maria de Medeiros Portugal
Moral Order (2020) Ordem Moral Mário Barroso Portugal
The Portuguese House (2025) Una quinta portuguesa Avelina Prat Portugal, Spain

Homenajes

English Title Original Title Director(s) Production countrie(s)
Maguey Queer Icon Award: Daniela Vega
A Fantastic Woman (2017) Una mujer fantástica Sebastián Lelio Chile
Silver Mayahuel Lifetime Achievement Award: Dolores Heredia
Chicuarotes (2019) Gael García Bernal Mexico
Little Saints (1999) Santitos Alejandro Springall Mexico
Two Crimes (1994) Dos crímenes Roberto Sneider Mexico
International Mayahuel Award: J. A. Bayona
The Impossible (2012) Lo imposible J. A. Bayona Spain
The Orphanage (2007) El orfanato J. A. Bayona Spain, Mexico
Society of the Snow (2023) La sociedad de la nieve J. A. Bayona Spain
Mayahuel FICG Industry Award: Mónica Lozano
The Chosen (2016) El elegido Antonio Chavarrías Spain, Mexico
I Dream in Another Language (2017) Sueño en otro idioma Ernesto Contreras Mexico
Tear This Heart Out (2008) Arráncame la vida Roberto Sneider Mexico

Series Showcase

English Title Original Title Director(s) Production countrie(s)
Mentiras, la serie Gabriel Ripstein Mexico
Chespirito: Not Really on Purpose Chespirito: Sin querer queriendo Rodrigo Santos, Julián De Tavira, Leche Ruíz Mexico
Hidden Island Isla Oculta Rodrigo Susarte Chile
Marcial Maciel: The Wolf of God Marcial Maciel: El lobo de Dios Matías Gueilburt Mexico
Paper Love (MG) Amor de papel Edu Cortés Mexico

Awards

The following awards were presented:[8]

Mezcal Awards

  • Best Film: Llamarse Olimpia by Indira Cato
    • Honorary Mention: Boca Vieja by Yovegami Ascona Mora
  • Best Direction: Doce Lunas by Victoria Franco
  • Best Performance: Emiliano Zurita for Rock, Weed and Wheels
  • Best Cinematography: Sergio Armstrong for Doce Lunas
  • Audience Award: Boca Vieja by Yovegami Ascona Mora

Ibero-American Fiction Feature Film

Ibero-American Documentary Film

Ibero-American Short Film

  • Best Short Film: Las Voces del Despeñadero by Irving Serrano and Victor Rejón
    • Special Mention: De Sucre by Clàudia Cedó

Maguey Award

  • Best Film: Cactus Pears by Rohan Parashuram Kanawade
    • Honorary Mention: Away by Gerard Oms
  • Maguey Jury Award: Lesbian Space Princess by Leela Varghese and Emma Hough Hobbs
    • Maguey Jury Award (Honorary Mention): Un Mundo para Mí by Alejandro Zuno
  • Best Performance: Denise Weinberg for The Blue Trail

Animated Film

Rigo Mora Award

  • Best Animated Short Film: Luz Diabla by Gervasio Canda, Patricio Patricio and Paula Boffo
    • Special Mention: Retirement Plan by John Kelly

Hecho en Jalisco

  • Best Film: No, Gracias, Ya No Fumo by Diego Toussaint
    • Best Film – Special Mention: The Daughters of the Wind by José Camacho Cabrera
  • Best Short Film: La Mosca en la Pared by Mar Novo
    • Best Short Film – Special Mention: See You Soon by Jennifer Skarbnik López

Socio-Environmental Cinema Award

  • Best Film: The Mountain Won't Move by Petra Seliškar

Other awards

  • Young Jury Award for Best Mexican Film: Boca Vieja by Yovegami Ascona Mora
  • Cine de Género – Best Film: The Innocents by Germán Tejada
  • FEISAL Award: A Yard of Jackals by Diego Figueroa
  • FIPRESCI Award: At the End of the World by Abraham Escobedo-Salas

References

  1. ^ "Festival Internacional de Cine en Guadalajara 2025 ¿Cuándo se realizará?". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). May 9, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  2. ^ Galván, Melissa (May 12, 2025). "FICG 40 2025: Fechas y programación del festival". Milenio (in Spanish). Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  3. ^ "PORTUGAL SERÁ INVITADO DE HONOR EN EL FICG 2025". NewsLineReport (in Spanish). February 18, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  4. ^ Lozano, Gabo (May 12, 2025). "FICG celebra 40 ediciones con homenajes, estrenos y enfoque social". Lider Informativo (in Spanish). Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  5. ^ a b "El Festival Internacional de Cine de Guadalajara 40° presenta su programación oficial". Produ (in Spanish). May 11, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  6. ^ "MANUAL DE ESTILO FICG 40". Guadalajara International Film Festival (in Spanish). Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  7. ^ Gallegos, Ricardo (May 9, 2025). "Festival Internacional de Cine de Guadalajara 2025: Películas, sedes, invitados y más (FICG)". La Estatuilla (in Spanish). Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  8. ^ Rodríguez, Andrés (15 June 2025). "El documental 'Llamarse Olimpia', galardonado con el Premio Mezcal a mejor película en el Festival de Cine en Guadalajara". El País.