Back in January, European Film Promotion (EFP) announced the inaugural Latin American Critics' Award for European Films (see the news). This initiative marks a significant step forward in fostering cultural exchange between Europe and Latin America, amplifying the reach and recognition of European cinema in the vibrant Latin American film landscape.

The organisation has now unveiled the preselected films, a total of 23 European titles, carefully curated by national film-promotion institutes from across the continent. These selections span a diverse range of genres, from compelling fiction to captivating animation and thought-provoking documentaries. Each film has garnered international acclaim, having premiered at renowned festivals or earned recognition at esteemed awards ceremonies in the previous year.

The preselected films are Veni Vidi Vici [+leggi anche:
recensione
intervista: Daniel Hoesl, Julia Niemann
scheda film] by Daniel Hoesl and Julia Niemann (Austria), Holly [+leggi anche:
recensione
trailer
intervista: Fien Troch
scheda film] by Fien Troch (Belgium), Excursion [+leggi anche:
recensione
intervista: Una Gunjak
scheda film] by Una Gunjak (Bosnia & Herzegovina), Dyad [+leggi anche:
recensione
intervista: Yana Titova
scheda film] by Yana Titova (Bulgaria), Embryo Larva Butterfly [+leggi anche:
recensione
trailer
intervista: Kyros Papavassiliou
scheda film] by Kyros Papavasiliou (Cyprus), Brothers [+leggi anche:
recensione
trailer
intervista: Tomáš Mašín
scheda film] by Tomáš Mašín (Czech Republic), The Invisible Fight [+leggi anche:
recensione
trailer
scheda film] by Rainer Sarnet (Estonia), Once Upon a Time in a Forest by Virpi Suutari (Finland), The Teachers’ Lounge [+leggi anche:
recensione
trailer
intervista: İlker Çatak
intervista: Leonie Benesch
scheda film] by İlker Çatak (Germany), Animal [+leggi anche:
recensione
trailer
intervista: Sofia Exarchou
scheda film] by Sofia Exarchou (Greece), Pelikan Blue [+leggi anche:
recensione
intervista: Laszló Csaki
scheda film] by László Csáki (Hungary), Solitude [+leggi anche:
recensione
trailer
intervista: Ninna Pálmadóttir
scheda film] by Ninna Rún Pálmadóttir (Iceland), Housewife of the Year by Ciaran Cassidy (Ireland), Phantom Youth [+leggi anche:
recensione
trailer
scheda film] by Luàna Bajrami (Kosovo), Wolfkin [+leggi anche:
trailer
scheda film] by Jacques Molitor (Luxembourg), Forever Hold Your Peace [+leggi anche:
recensione
intervista: Ivan Marinović
scheda film] by Ivan Marinović (Montenegro), Bad Living [+leggi anche:
recensione
trailer
intervista: João Canijo
scheda film] by João Canijo (Portugal), Guardians of the Formula [+leggi anche:
recensione
trailer
intervista: Dragan Bjelogrlić
scheda film] by Dragan Bjelogrlić (Serbia), Observing [+leggi anche:
recensione
trailer
intervista: Janez Burger
scheda film] by Janez Burger (Slovenia), Together 99 [+leggi anche:
recensione
trailer
scheda film] by Lukas Moodysson (Sweden), Reinas [+leggi anche:
recensione
intervista: Klaudia Reynicke
scheda film] by Klaudia Reynicke (Switzerland), Sweet Dreams [+leggi anche:
recensione
trailer
intervista: Ena Sendijarević
scheda film] by Ena Sendijarević (Netherlands) and Layla by Amrou Al-Khadi (UK).

The adjudication process for the Latin American Critics' Award is in the hands of 34 film critics hailing from 13 Latin American countries. They will meticulously deliberate to select their top-three favourites from the line-up of European films. The ultimate winner will be unveiled and honoured during the Guadalajara Film Festival, scheduled for 7-15 June 2024.

This collaboration between EFP and the Guadalajara Film Festival underscores a shared commitment to promoting cultural dialogue and cinematic excellence. By showcasing European films to Latin American audiences, the initiative aims to spark curiosity, foster understanding and celebrate the universal language of storytelling.

Cineuropa and LatAm are the media partners of the initiative.