Best Feature Film MexicoLucifer (dir. Gust van den Berghe, Mexico-Belgium)

Best International Feature Film H. (dirs. Rania Attieh y Daniel García; Argentina, USA)

Best International Short FictionOh, Lucy! (dir. Atsuko Hirayanagi; Japan, Singapore, USA)

Best Short Film MexicoLa ausencia (dir. Arturo Baltazar, Mexico)

Best Short Film MexicoAusencias (dir. Tatiana Huezo, Mexico)

Best International Documentary FeatureAquellos que sienten el fuego arder / Those Who Feel the Fire Burning (dir. Morgan Knibbe, Netherlands)

Best International Short DocumentaryPaulina (dir. Ricardo León, Peru)

Best Documentary MexicoMade in Bangkok (dir. Flavio Florencio; Mexico, Germany)

Best Experimental ShortPlanet ∑ (dir. Momoko Seto; France, Japan)

Best Short AnimationEdmond (dir. Nina Gantz, UK)

Best Short Film GuanajuatoEl regreso (dir. Nadia Islas, Mexico)

Women in Film and Television AwardOh, Lucy! (dir. Atsuko Hirayanagi; Japan, Singapore, USA)

SIGNIS Award MexicoKoshk (dir. Abdulla Al Kaabi, United Arab Emirates)

WINNERS FOR GIFF 2015

We provide a communal space

for expression while celebrating

the creative spirit INSPIRATION

SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE+ GUANAJUATO CAPITAL

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 + ERIC DEL CASTILLO

NATIONAL TRIBUTES

INTERNATIONAL TRIBUTES

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.

+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.

Special representatives from each of our guest countries of honor offer conferences, workshops and special programs showcas-ing their most recent and historical pro-duction, as well as present their diverse methods of work. These activities strength-en relations between the creators of both countries, exchanging knowledge and cre-ating conditions that are favorable for cin-ematic co-production. For the XIX edition of the festival, we are proud to welcome Japan as our Guest Country of Honor.

SPOTLIGHT COUNTRYJAPAN

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 be-tween the two nations. This forum unites noted producers, directors, distributors, exhibitors and film institutes from both countries to discuss and present the problems, solu-tions and achievements of their respective industries.

BILATERAL FORUM

JAPAN

Since 2011 GIFF has devised and host-ed a series of Think Tanks that invites specialists from various fields from around the world to discuss the appli-cation of new technologies that further the advancement of storytelling, pro-duction, 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.

THINK TANKAproactive space for dialog and debate dedicated to finding solutions that ben-efit the film industry.

A commitment to innovation and the future of film is what sets apart the Guanajuato International Film Festival.

In 2015 we organized the very first 40-hour GIFF Hack, where six teams of young creative coders, program-mers and engineers competed to develop innovative ideas that illuminated the possible technological appli-cations that could transform traditional mediums such as film and television. This year we will host the second edition of the GIFF Hack.

GIFF HACK

We search for new mechanisms, technologies and trends that

strengthen the cinematographic arts INNOVATION

For the eighth consecutive year, GIFF offers the 12 Cinéfondation Resi-dence 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.

MEXICANNES Summer Residence Program and Master’s Classes in Guanajuato

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.

GIFF RESIDENCEThe 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.

Over the past 14 years, GIFF has dedicated a space for the development and co-production of projects through its var-ious programs. GIFF has made strategic alliances with some of the world’s most important festivals and institutions, in-cluding: Cinéfondation-La Résidence of the Cannes Film Fes-tival (France); Torino FilmLab (Italy); Rotterdam Lab (Neth-erlands); Medienboard Berlín-Brandenburg and the Goethe Institute (Germany); IFP No Borders (United States); EAVE (Europe); Vancouver Film School (Canada); and Produire au Sud (France).

The International Pitching Market annually unites interna-tional producers, investors and diverse film financing institu-tions 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 submit-ted and 15 were selected to be presented at the IPM along with the 12 Cinéfondation La Residence projects.

INDUSTRY Supporting the Creation of a Solid Film Industry

Private consulting sessions with top international industry professionals. INCUBATOR is a project focused on nurturing and developing the next generation of Mexican and Interna-tional filmmakers attending the festival. Participants in INCU-BATOR receive advice from industry professionals, specifical-ly 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.

INCUBATOR

WOMEN IN FILM AND TELEVISION MEXICOWomen 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.

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

48 HOUR COLLEGIATE PRODUCTION RALLY48-Hour Collegiate Production Rally is a formative experience between 8 Mexican universities and the participation of one in-ternational team from the guest country of honor, which in the past have included Co-lombia and Poland. 90 students from dif-ferent 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 partic-ipation of recognized professional actors and the films are screened before thou-sands 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 pro-vide the necessary tools to create a quality short film that can compete on an inter-national 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.

Best Short Film Collegiate Rally 2015La Ribera

Audience Award Collegiate RallySuerte para la próxima

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 inter-national 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.

COLLEGIATE DOCUMENTARY CONTEST

“IDENTITY AND BELONGING”

“Identity & Belonging” Student Documentary Contest 2015

First PlaceMusic from Every Corner

Second Place Beneath the Embers

Third Place The Guardian

La Vancouver Film School (VFS), una de las escuelas más distingui-das de las artes audiovisuales a nivel internacional, ofrece a todos los participantes del Festival la oportunidad de participar en un taller de guionismo para cortometraje. Se seleccionarán 12 guiones para par-ticipar en un taller impartido por Michael Baser, Jefe del Departamento del Programa de Guionismo para Cine y Televisión de la VFS.

VANCOUVER FILM SCHOOL WRITING WORKSHOPS

The State Government of Guanajua-to, the Expresión en Corto Founda-tion, the Mexican Society of Direc-tors and Audiovisual Creators and the Mexican Film Institute (IMCINE), present Mexico’s longest running and largest annual National Screen-writing Contest for short and feature film, whose goal is to stimulate the creation of screenplays which con-tribute to the strengthening of the national film industry. The winners are awarded cash prizes and partic-ipate in the GIFF Industry activities, where they present their projects to producers, investors and film funds.

XV ANNUAL NATIONAL SCREENWRITING CONTEST FOR SHORT AND FEATURE FILM

Winner of the National Screenwriting Contest Feature Film 2015 “Historia de la tierra caliente”

Winner of the National Screenwriting Contest Short Film 2015 “Head Trip Latte”

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

MASTER CLASSESyouthful 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 “Break-through” 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.

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 pre-eminent institutions and authors on publications which promote the study of film and its further investigation.

EDITORIAL PUBLISHING

Quality is the only motor

that drives our spirit

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.

MOVIES WITH MUMMY

The Subterranean tunnels of Guanajuato Capital are convert-ed into make-shift theaters for a celebration of sexual diver-sity called “Midnight Madness”, which includes gay, lesbian, transgender, erotic and underground films.

MIDNIGHT MADNESS

THE SHORT CIRCUIT TRAVELING SHOWCASEThroughout the year GIFF travels around the world and presents special screenings of its award-winning shorts and documentary pro-grams in various festivals, institutions, universi-ties, 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, Argen-tina, 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 coun-tries.

Each year GIFF sponsors various work-shops for local children who write, direct, edit and produce their own films, employ-ing dynamic teamwork and different tech-niques and mediums to bring each narra-tive 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 enter-tainment.

KIDS IN ACTION

TUNNEL FEST