A Creative Bridge Connecting Cinematic Talents
The inaugural Tijuana Film Festival (FCT) concluded with a heartfelt message from Illya Haro, the Secretary of Culture for Tijuana. She described the event as a genuine meeting of minds, conversation, and collaboration among individuals building from various locations. Haro emphasized that what originated at the festival will grow organically, as it was born from within.
“Today, we close together!” were the emotional words that marked the festival’s closure. The FCT aimed to establish itself as a creative bridge, demonstrating that Tijuana is a place where stories thrive and the cinematic strength of the north can resonate throughout the country.
The Heart of the Festival
Festival Director, Maestra Margarita González, acknowledged the “army” of collaborators who made this possible. She highlighted that the planning was a team effort born from collective will, with each member described as “fundamental to the organization.” González promised, “The community started on day six, and we’re heading towards 2026. We continue this journey!”
Honoring Cinematic Pioneers
One of the most touching moments was the awarding of the Lifetime Achievement Award to maestro Héctor Villanueva, whose work and presence have been crucial in shaping the regional cinematic community.
His former students, Yolibet Mendoza, Juan Carlos Aibar, and Abraham Ávila, honored him on stage. They praised Villanueva for teaching them the value of teamwork, collaboration, and prioritizing the common good while rejecting power abuses. They also highlighted his ability to make each collaborator feel special, even with small gestures like the famous Dumbo and the raven analogy, gifting him a symbolic feather to remind him of inspiring a generation to believe in themselves.
Cinema as a Major and Social Art
The festival’s climax was Silvestre Palacios’ speech, an actor, director, and the festival’s mentor. Palacios, with his “north in his heart,” shared a profound reflection on cinema’s vital mission.
He defined cinema as a “vital need to materialize mental states” and the “clash between reason and madness,” allowing filmmakers to prove their existence and explore all possible universes.
However, Palacios issued a strong call to the industry to elevate film content and intentions: “With that said, films should aspire to be, if not miracles, attempts at them. For cinema is made to dialogue with our greatness, not merely to acknowledge trivialities.”
Palacios critiqued the perpetuation of negative and superficial narratives on Mexican screens: “Enough with drug lord and violence films where heroes are those who survive violence with reasonable violence.” He urged the community to seek and honor stories of everyday heroism that contribute positively to social dynamics, like the baker feeding 300 families daily.
He emphasized the ethical responsibility of filmmakers, warning about the implications of what is inherited through art: “Beware, cinema and television series are still being made to perpetuate the idea that we are inevitably corrupt. Beware, our films privilege highlighting defects over virtues […] if we film trash, we’ll inherit trash.”
Palacios concluded by honoring the FCT as a space for films that “awaken desires, empower dreams, accompany anxieties, and alleviate absences,” reminding everyone that cinema is a major and social art. If their aspiration lies only in mass consumption, “it’s not art, it’s entertainment.”
Festival Award Winners
- Best Direction: Casa chica.
- Honorable Mention in Short Film Direction: ¿Algún día nuestro cuerpo nos pertenecerá?
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Héctor Villanueva.
- Best Short Film: Domingo familiar, by Gerardo del Razo
- Platform Norte Award: Rancheros y Cómo muere un hombre, each receiving 125,000 pesos.
Key Questions and Answers
- What was the main goal of the Tijuana Film Festival? The festival aimed to establish Tijuana as a creative bridge, demonstrating its cinematic strength and connecting regional talents.
- Who were some notable figures honored at the festival? Maestro Héctor Villanueva received the Lifetime Achievement Award, and his former students praised him for shaping the regional cinematic community.
- What message did Silvestre Palacios deliver about cinema? Palacios emphasized the vital mission of cinema, calling for higher content and intention behind films while critiquing the perpetuation of negative narratives.
