25/01/2024 - Following the model of the Arab Critics’ Awards, selected film critics from Latin America will choose their three favourites from the latest European films

European Film Promotion is now focusing on the Central and South American continent and will be launching the Latin American Critics’ Awards for European Films. Following the model of the well-established and successful Arab Critics’ Awards (read news about the latest edition), introduced in 2019, selected film critics from Latin America will choose their three favourites from the latest European films nominated by the national promotion institutes from throughout Europe, who are EFP’s member organisations. The winner will be announced at the Guadalajara Film Festival (7-15 June, 2024).

"Our goal is to enhance the exposure and the circulation of European films and 'festival hits' in Latin America, while at the same time recognising the invaluable role of film critics and journalists in promoting arthouse cinema. We are extremely grateful to the film critics participating in our jury for their interest in European films and their dedication to the programme, and we are pleased to announce this new award in co-operation with the Guadalajara Film Festival", says EFP Managing Director Sonja Heinen.

"Promoting film criticism is a substantial feat for the Guadalajara Film Festival. We are happy to host this award and thus help to make this important work visible", says Estrella Araiza, Managing Director of the Guadalajara Film Festival.

Thanks to the great support from LatAm cinema, Cineuropa, Berlinale Talents and FIPRESCI, who helped to reach out to Latin American film journalists, 34 critics from 13 Latin American countries (click here for the full list of participants) are now ready to take on this task. Starting in March 2024, they will screen the nominated films, feature-length fiction or documentary films, which were released in the past year, had their international premiere at renowned A-festivals or were shortlisted for the Academy Awards or the European Film Awards. The entire selection process will be accompanied by extensive promotional activities.