Ecatepec de Morelos, State of Mexico — The closing ceremony of the second edition of the prestigious Ecatepec de Morelos Film and Music Festival 2023 took place on August 18.
This significant cultural event was organized by Carlos Mateus and had the institutional backing of the Municipal Government of Ecatepec. The festivities were held at the iconic Auditorium of the 9 pueblos, located in the Municipal Palace of San Cristóbal, Ecatepec de Morelos.
The event, which began at 12:00 p.m. and concluded at 6:00 p.m., kicked off with a welcome cocktail. The festival was masterfully hosted by renowned journalist Alejandro Ruiz. As an opening act, attendees enjoyed an enriching conference focused on the current landscape of independent cinema.
The presentation featured participation from prominent panelists: producer Paloma Olta Montero, filmmaker and producer Antoni Caimari Caldés, representing the Asociación Nacional de Cineastas y Artistas Unidos (Cine Art), actor and director Carlos Samperio, Costume Director Tino Cheschitz, and Gustavo Cruz, the Director of Culture from Berenstain, State of Puebla. All of them provided valuable insights during a question-and-answer session with the audience.
Subsequently, the Honorable Municipal President, Luis Fernando Vilchis Contreras, took the podium to emphasize the importance of cultural transformation in society. He highlighted the indispensable role events like this play in enriching and strengthening the artistic and cultural community.
Furthermore, key members of the governing team were also in attendance, including Marbella Ortiz, Director of Culture, and Marco Antonio Hernández, Deputy Director of Culture. Both joined the event to support and highlight the importance of such cultural initiatives.
Mexican Success
The film “El Camino de Tomás” by Martin Agudelo Ramirez received the award for best film, and the feature-length “Año Cero The Exile,” directed by Jorge Dahlhaus and Valentina Bernardo, also garnered important recognitions during the ceremony. Tino Cheschitz was awarded for “Best Costume Director”, and emerging singer Yuma Iumi Miu received the award for Best Soundtrack.
These awards not only highlight the quality of the film production presented at the Ecatepec de Morelos Film and Music Festival but also the diversity of talent at both a national and international level that has converged at this important cultural forum.
International Success: Mallorcan Talent Shines in Mexico
Mallorcan filmmaker Antoni Caimari Caldés won the Best Director award for his latest feature film, “Walk-in” (2023). Similarly, Mallorcan singer Caterina Ross won the Best Latin Female Voice for her music video “El Mar de la Vida.” These awards reaffirm the international character of the festival and highlight the wealth and diversity of talent converging in Ecatepec de Morelos.
Resounding Success for “Lycanthropy” at the FICYM Awards Ceremony
The debut film “Lycanthropy” (2023), directed by the talented Almerian Nieves Gomez, emerged as the big winner of the night, taking home the Best Production award. In addition, three of its leads were honored: Andrea del Río for Best Actress, Will Shephard for Best Actor, and Amanda Ferrer in the category of Best Supporting Foreign Actress.
On the other hand, the movie “Candela” also had a successful run at the festival. Marta Villa, the promising Spanish actress, won the Best Youth Talent award, while screenwriter José Luis Pedrero received the award for Best Screenplay.
FICYM 2023 Awards List:
Best Film – El Camino de Tomás – Martin Agudelo Ramirez
Best Documentary – Adrian Arce – Reserva Espíritu Santo
Best Foreign Documentary – Entre gaitas y gaiteros – Jose Lossada
Best Production – Licantropía – Nieves Gomez
Best Screenplay – Jose Luis Pedrero – Candela
Second Best Screenplay – Jorge Dahlaus – Año Cero
Best Short Film Screenplay – Martín Karddogane
Best Commercial – Jorge Tinajero
Best Director – Antoni Caimari Caldés – Walk-In
Best Short Film Director (Female) – Irene Arcila – Shopia
Best Short Film Director (Male) – Raúl Querci – Las hermanas de la Luz
Best Editing – Santiamongo Leguiza – De la butaca a la corte
Best Art Direction – Alberto Aguilar – Izmictlan
Best Cinematography – La Loca Zulley – Bernardo Burgos
Best Costume Design – Tino Chezchitz – Año Cero El Exilio
Best Soundtrack – Yuma IUmi MIU – Año Cero El Exilio
Best Actor – Will Shephard – Licantropía
Best Actress – Andrea Del Rio – Licantropía
Best Supporting Foreign Actress – Amanda Ferrer – Licantropía
Best Supporting Mexican Actress – Andrea Somerville – De la butaca a la corte
Best Short Film Actress – Jaz Ferrer – La Aldea de Nicolas
Best Short Film Actor – Fabian Petroni – Hasta cuando yo te vuelva a ver
Best Comedy Actor – Tony Cam – Las aventuras de Cul Onchi
Best Child Talent – Marta Villa – Candela
Best Latin Female Voice – Caterina Ross – Music Video El mar de la vida
Best Latin Male Voice – J One – Music Video Guadalupe
Journalistic Acknowledgments:
Jorge and José Antonio Tinajero – Expresión total
Alejandro Ruiz – Wow Tv
Naim Libien Kaui – Uno más Uno
Doris Day Diaz Labarca – Independent Journalist
José Ángel Martínez – El Espectador