WINNERS Best International Debut Feature Party Girl Marie Amachoukeli, Claire Burger and Samuel Theis France / 2014
Best Mexican Debut Feature They are All Dead Beatris Sanchis Mexico-Spain / 2014 Best Short Film Fiction Butter Lamp / La lampe au beurre yak Hu Wei China / 2013 Best Long Documentary Virunga Orlando Von Einsiedel United Kingdom / 2014 Best Short Documentary Ghost Train James Fleming, Kelly Hucker Australia / 2013 Best Short Animation Storm hits jacket / Tempête sur anorak Paul Cabon France / 2014 Best Experimental Short Cochemare Chris Lavis, Maciek Szczerbowski Canada / 2013
Best Mexican Short Film Gloom David Figueroa García México / 2013 Best Mexican Documentary El Palacio Nicolás Pereda Mexico-Canada / 2013 Best Guanajuato Short L’Appel Laura Zacanini Canada-France-Mexico / 2014 Woman in Film and Television Award Crocodile Gaëlle Denis United Kingdom / 2014 SIGNIS Award Crocodile Gaëlle Denis United Kingdom / 2014 Press Award The Hamsters Gilberto González México / 2014
We provide a communal space for expression while celebrating the creative spirit
INSPIRATION
Each year GIFF pays tribute to the men and women that have given their lives to film, an homage which demonstrates our immense respect, admiration and gratitude for their work. We have bestowed this recognition upon both National and International figures of film.
INTERNATIONAL TRIBUTES
ANTON CORBIJN ROGER CORMAN +DARREN ARONOFSKY + DANNY BOYLE + PARK CHAN-WOOK + JULIE TAYMOR + PETER GREENAWAY + SPIKE LEE + TIM BURTON + KENNETH ANGER + OLIVER STONE + PAUL SCHRADER + BONG JOON-HO + DEEPA MEHTA + SHYAM BENEGAL + SPIKE JONZE + IRVIN KERSHNER + GASPAR NOÉ + ELISEO SUBIELA + LUCRECIA MARTEL + ALEJANDRO GONZÁLEZ IÑÁRRITU.
NATIONAL TRIBUTES
ANGÉLICA MARÍA
JORGE FONS + JOAQUÍN CORDERO + FELIPE CAZALS + IGNACIO LOPEZ TARSO + JOSEFINA ECHÁNOVE + PATRICIA REYES SPÍNDOLA + DIANA BRACHO + MARÍA ROJO + MIGUEL ZACARÍAS + RAFAEL INCLÁN + JULIO ALEMÁN + DON MANUEL ESPERÓN + MARGA LÓPEZ + ERNESTO GÓMEZ CRUZ + PEDRO ARMENDÁRIZ JR + MANUEL OJEDA
HOST CITIES
SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE Cine Aldama Teatro ﾃ］gela Peralta Santa Ana Jardﾃｭn Principal Bellas Artes Casa de la Cultura Mesone Panteﾃｳn Municipal Cinemex La Luciernaga Kunthaus SANTA FE Casa Mayorazgo de la Canal
HOST CITIES
GUANAJUATO CAPITAL Teatro Ju谩rez Auditorio del Estado Teatro Cervantes Teatro Principal Escalinatas de la Universidad de Gto. Pante贸n Municipal Cinemex Casa Cuatro Calle Subterranea
THINK TANK
A proactive space for dialog and debate dedicated to finding solutions that benefit the film industry. Since 2011 GIFF has devised and hosted a series of Think Tanks that invites specialists from various fields from around the world to discuss the application of new technologies that further the advancement of storytelling, production, distribution and exhibition of independent film. In 2014 we hosted representatives from the Centro de Tecnología e Innovación TELMEX, the Sundance Institute / New Frontier, AGAVIDEO, Mantarraya and MUBI México, among other guests, who discussed the surge of new technologies such as virtual reality.
We search for new mechanisms, technologies and trends that strengthen the cinematographic arts
EPICENTER
A commitment to innovation and the future of film is what sets apart the Guanajuato International Film Festival.
GIFF HACK
In 2014 in coordination with the Centro de Tecnolog铆a e Innovaci贸n TELMEX, we organized the very first 40-hour GIFF Hack, where six teams of young creative coders, programmers and engineers competed to develop innovative ideas that illuminated the possible technological applications that could transform traditional mediums such as film and television. This year we will host the second edition of the GIFF Hack.
INNOVATION
MEXICANNES
Summer Residence Program and Master’s Classes in Guanajuato
For the eighth consecutive year, GIFF offers the 12 Cinéfondation Residence Laureates, some of the most promising young filmmakers in the world chosen each year by the Cannes Film Festival, as well as two Mexican filmmakers nominated by GIFF, the opportunity to present their projects to international producers, investors and diverse film financing institutions during the International Pitching Market. The laureates are also invited to participate in workshops and private Master’s Classes with acclaimed national and international luminaries of film invited by GIFF.
BILATERAL FORUM
An annual forum co-organized by the Mexican Film Institute (IMCINE) and GIFF, whose main objective is to exchange information about the current state of film in Mexico and the festival’s guest country of honor; thereby creating a dialog that will hopefully lead to future co-productions between the two nations. This forum unites noted producers, directors, distributors, exhibitors and film institutes from both countries to discuss and present the problems, solutions and achievements of their respective industries.
INDUSTRY
Supporting the Creation of a Solid Film Industry
Over the past 14 years, GIFF has dedicated a space for the development and co-production of projects through its various programs. GIFF has made strategic alliances with some of the world’s most important festivals and institutions, including: Cinéfondation-La Résidence of the Cannes Film Festival (France); Torino FilmLab (Italy); Rotterdam Lab (Netherlands); Medienboard BerlínBrandenburg and the Goethe Institute (Germany); IFP No Borders (United States); EAVE (Europe); Vancouver Film School (Canada); and Produire au Sud (France).
IPM
The International Pitching Market annually unites international producers, investors and diverse film financing institutions from all around the world (including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, France, Germany, Spain, The Netherlands, South Korea, Hong Kong, India, UK & USA) together with Mexican productions and co-productions currently in development, as well as projects from the latest sessions of the Cinéfondation La Residence. In 2014, more than 80 projects were submitted and 15 were selected to be presented at the IPM along with the 12 Cinéfondation La Residence projects.
INCUBATOR
Private consulting sessions with top international industry professionals INCUBATOR is a project focused on nurturing and developing the next generation of Mexican and International filmmakers attending the festival. Participants in INCUBATOR receive advice from industry professionals, specifically on their projects in development. Consultations vary from appraising the value of scripts, film financing, international co-production, distribution, online film distribution, pitching, packaging and promoting their projects at film festivals and markets. During the 10 days of the festival over 100 young filmmakers will receive one-on-one sessions.
GIFF RESIDENCE The GIFF Residence is the educational branch of the Guanajuato International Film Festival and acts as an umbrella institution to all activities related to the formation of filmmakers through cinematic and audiovisual training. The goal is to propel talent and encourage the growth of new creators, allowing for a solid instruction in both theory and technique by experienced film industry professionals. In order to accomplish this, independent study sessions are realized in San Miguel de Allende, where the participants create and develop projects in a space designed to stimulate the creation and free exchange of ideas.
Quality is the only motor that drives our spirit
WOMEN IN FILM AND TELEVISION MEXICO
Women In Film and Television of Mexico held their very first meeting during the Guanajuato International Film Festival (then called Expresión en Corto) and they were founded as a non-profit in Mexico shortly afterwards. The purpose of our partnership is to promote, disseminate and recognize the creative work carried out by women in all areas of film, television, video and new technologies. We pay tribute to these outstanding women during an annual luncheon and offer them the MUSE, a small sculpture created by Mexican artist Elena Somonte, as well as the Silver Cross, provided by GIFF. Previous award recipients have included Ana Ofelia Murguía, Ofelia Medina, Cristina Pacheco, Julie Taymor, Adriana Barraza, María Victoria and Mafer Suárez, to name a few.
48 HOUR COLLEGIATE PRODUCTION RALLY
COLLEGIATE DOCUMENTARY CONTEST
“IDENTITY AND BELONGING”
GIFF organizes this documentary contest and formative experience with the goal of strengthening the youth’s national identity by providing them with a sense of belonging. Each ten minute documentary is produced with the theme of Identity and Belonging, which each of the six selected teams is free to interpret in its own manner; be it through their education, family or social environment. The contest seeks projects that are extremely personal, professional and universal, and that can compete on an international level. The 60 participants have the opportunity to be consulted on their specific projects by noted figures of the film industry on the subjects of theme, argument, structure, production, audio production and post-production, providing them the knowledge and the necessary tools to create a professional short documentary which is screened during the opening ceremony of GIFF and later compete in international festivals throughout the year.
48-Hour Collegiate Production Rally is a formative experience between 8 Mexican universities and the participation of one international team from the guest country of honor, which in the past have included Colombia and Poland. 90 students from different regions of the country are invited to submit 6-minute short fiction scripts, with open theme and subject matter, as they race to shoot, edit and present a short film shot in High Definition Video in 48 Hours during GIFF. The shorts include the participation of recognized professional actors and the films are screened before thousands of rowdy student spectators during the festival, where a jury of film industry professionals selects the winners. During the 4 months of pre-production the 9 teams receive 22 workshops that provide the necessary tools to create a quality short film that can compete on an international level. The workshops are given by film industry professionals such as EFD, Encore Sound, Chemistry and AMTEC, as well as important filmmakers who immerse the students in an intensive and practical course on real-world production.
VANCOUVER FILM SCHOOL WRITING WORKSHOPS Vancouver Film School (VFS), one of the most distinguished entertainment arts institutions in the world, offers GIFF participants the opportunity to partake in a short film writing workshop. A selection of 12 screenplays and writers are invited to participate in the workshops led by Michael Baser, Department Head for VFS’s Writing for Film & Television Program.
MASTER CLASSES
Any witness to the numerous Master Classes that GIFF has presented throughout the years can recount multiple juicy anecdotes. The accumulated experience and knowledge of film’s greatest masters is listened, appreciated and absorbed by a youthful public anxious to hear what lies behind their favorite characters and scenes, from the lips of the creators themselves. From Oliver Stone, who gave a talk on the subject of “Censorship, self-censorship and provocation”; to a conference entitled “Breakthrough” headed by Gaspar Noé; the unforgettable and explosive presentation of Tim Burton in the City of the Mummies; the history of avant-garde cinema according to Kenneth Anger; serious face time with the two Spikes: Lee and Jonze; the marathon academic lecture of Peter Greenaway; a comprehensive self-analysis of Alejandro González Iñárritu’s entire career; the screenwriting genius of Paul Schrader; the complex psychology of Darren Aronofsky; the simple brilliance of Danny Boyle; the magnificent eye of Anton Corbijn; and the self-taught life lessons of a giant like Roger Corman; just to name a few. These Master Classes are a unique experience that only a festival as massive, as open and as accessible as GIFF can offer its audience.
We were the first to open the doors to all formats, all genres, all auteurs, and all audiences, because that’s the way it should be.
INCLUSIVE
XIV ANNUAL NATIONAL SCREENWRITING CONTEST FOR SHORT AND FEATURE FILM The State Government of Guanajuato, the Expresión en Corto Foundation, the Mexican Society of Directors and Audiovisual Creators and the Mexican Film Institute (IMCINE), present Mexico’s longest running and largest annual National Screenwriting Contest for short and feature film, whose goal is to stimulate the creation of screenplays which contribute to the strengthening of the national film industry. The winners are awarded cash prizes and participate in the GIFF Industry activities, where they present their projects to producers, investors and film funds.
EDITORIAL PUBLISHING
With the yearly publication of film-related manuscripts, GIFF provides an opportunity for the appreciation, academic study and analysis of the seventh art. The Expresión en Corto Foundation collaborates with preeminent institutions and authors on publications which promote the study of film and its further investigation.
MOVIES WITH MUMMY
From the stroke of midnight onward, both San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato City open their graveyards for “Cine entre muertos”, where we screen horror films among the tombstones, the mausoleums and… THE DEAD.
MIDNIGHT MADNESS The Subterranean tunnels of Guanajuato Capital are converted into make-shift theaters for a celebration of sexual diversity called “Midnight Madness”, which includes gay, lesbian, transgender, erotic and underground films.
THE SHORT CIRCUIT TRAVELING SHOWCASE
Throughout the year GIFF travels around the world and presents special screenings of its award-winning shorts and documentary programs in various festivals, institutions, universities, conferences and special events, contributing to our efforts of promoting cinema worldwide. CortoCircuito (Short Circuit) has been presented in countries such as USA, United Kingdom, Argentina, Venezuela, Russia, France, India and South Korea, just to name a few. With the help of the Mexican Secretary of Foreign Relations, we have presented our programs in more than 50 countries.
KIDS IN ACTION
Each year GIFF sponsors various workshops for local children who write, direct, edit and produce their own films, employing dynamic teamwork and different techniques and mediums to bring each narrative to the screen. The genres range from Animation to Fiction to Documentary and are presented during the festival. We also screen a variety of special programs for children throughout the festival with the latest in animation and children’s entertainment.
SPOTLIGHT COUNTRY TURKEY Special representatives from each of our guest countries of honor offer conferences, workshops and special programs showcasing their most recent and historical production, as well as present their diverse methods of work. These activities strengthen relations between the creators of both countries, exchanging knowledge and creating conditions that are favorable for cinematic co-production. For the XVIII edition of the festival, we are proud to welcome Turkey as our Guest Country of Honor.
ATTENDEES ATTENDEES´AGE
53%
63% 26% 11% -18+ 19/30
47% 53%
31
44% 3% PROFESSIONALS STUDENTS OTHERS
CALL FOR ENTRIES 3,421 FILMS 118
COUNTRIES IN COMPETITION
COVERAGE BY 549 NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL PRESS ENTITIES