Overview
The Guadalajara International Film Festival (FICG) is the most important film festival in Latin America for Ibero-American cinema. The 41st edition (FICG 41) runs April 17 to 25, 2026, in Guadalajara, Mexico, with nearly 30 venues and approximately 200 films across competitive and non-competitive sections. FICG is the primary platform for films from Mexico, Latin America, Spain, and Portugal seeking industry exposure and distribution in the Spanish-speaking world.
FICG Industria is the festival's industry component, running alongside the public program. It includes the Encuentro de Coproduccion (Co-Production Meeting), Guadalajara Construye (post-production support), DocuLab, and a Series Showcase. The industry programs connect Ibero-American projects in development and post-production with international financiers, producers, sales agents, and distributors.
If you make Ibero-American films or are seeking co-production partners in Latin America, FICG is the most direct route to the region's industry. Visit the official regulations page for current rules.
History
FICG was founded in 1985 and has grown into Latin America's leading film festival. The festival presents three official statuettes: the Mayahuel (for most competitive categories), the Chucho (for animation), and the EMME (for the Maguey Award/LGBTQ+ categories). In 2012, FICG created the Maguey Award to support LGBTQ+ cinema.
The festival has expanded its industry component over the years to include co-production meetings, post-production support, documentary labs, and a series showcase. The 41st edition in 2026 continues this expansion with the new FICGeneracion program and the Panorama Frontera en Corto section.
Submission Details
FICG uses its own submission platform via Eventival, not FilmFreeway. Submissions are made at https://vp.eventival.com/ficg/2026.
FICG 41 submission schedule:
| Category | Opening Date | Closing Date | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free submission period | September 8, 2025 | September 26, 2025 | Free |
| Feature films (paid) | September 27, 2025 | December 19, 2025 | MX$400 (approximately $20 USD) |
| Short films (paid) | September 27, 2025 | November 14, 2025 | MX$200 (approximately $10 USD) |
Submissions are free during the first 18 days (September 8 to 26, 2025). After that, a nominal fee applies: 400 Mexican pesos for features and 200 for shorts, approximately $20 USD and $10 USD respectively.
Feature films (60 minutes or longer): Completed between 2025 and 2026. Must have Mexican premiere during FICG 41 (not previously shown at any film festival in Mexico, in cinemas, on television, or on VOD/streaming platforms). Submitted by a person or entity officially representing the filmmakers.
Short films (30 minutes or less, including credits): Completed between 2025 and 2026. Must have Mexican premiere during FICG 41.
No limit on number of titles per filmmaker or production company. FICG does not pay screening fees for films selected in the Official Competition.
Key Sections
Feature Film Competition:
- Mezcal Award - Mexican fiction and documentary features. Best Mexican Film wins MX$500,000 (approximately $25,000 USD) for the majority production company, plus a Mayahuel Statuette. Additional awards for Best Direction, Best Performance, Best Technical-Artistic Achievement, and Audience Award (MX$100,000 for the director).
- Ibero-American Fiction Feature - fiction features from Latin America, Spain, and Portugal. Best Film wins MX$500,000 for the majority production company. Additional awards for Best Direction, Best Screenplay, Best Debut Feature, Best Performance, and Best Technical-Artistic Achievement.
- Ibero-American Documentary Feature - documentaries from Latin America, Spain, and Portugal. Best Documentary wins MX$200,000 for the majority production company.
- International Animated Feature - animated features from any country. Best Animated Feature wins MX$300,000, plus a Chucho Statuette.
- Maguey Award - fiction or documentary features from any country addressing LGBTQ+ themes.
- Made in Jalisco - features produced in Jalisco or directed by Jalisco filmmakers.
- Socio-Environmental Film Award - international fiction and documentary features exploring relationships between nature, society, justice, and urbanization.
Short Film Competition:
- Ibero-American Short Film - shorts from Mexico, Latin America, Spain, and Portugal
- Rigo Mora Award - international animated short films
- Made in Jalisco Short Film - shorts from Jalisco filmmakers
FICG Industria:
- Encuentro de Coproduccion (Co-Production Meeting) - up to 15 Ibero-American projects in development pitch to financiers, producers, buyers, and sellers. Projects must have at least 20% of financing secured.
- Guadalajara Construye - up to 6 Ibero-American fiction features in post-production presented to producers, distributors, sales agents, and festival representatives.
- DocuLab - a documentary development and production support program.
- Series Showcase - Ibero-American series in development presented to industry professionals, platforms, and distributors.
- FICGeneracion - a new program (launched at FICG 41) giving aspiring filmmakers guided immersion in the festival through partnerships with film schools.
Past Winners
FICG 41 (2026) - Mezcal Award Best Mexican Film: Querida Fatima (directed collectively by Lorena Gutierrez, Su Kim, Jesus Quintana Vega, Rodrigo Reyes, and Dawn Valadez) - a documentary about a mother's decade-long fight for justice after the feminicide of her 12-year-old daughter. Also won Best Direction and the Audience Award.
FICG 41 (2026) - Best Ibero-American Fiction Film: The Red Hangar (Hangar Rojo, directed by Juan Pablo Sallato, Chile/Argentina/Italy) - a black-and-white thriller about the 1973 military coup in Chile. Swept all five Ibero-American fiction categories. World premiered at Berlinale 2026 Perspectives section.
FICG 40 (2025) - Mezcal Award Best Mexican Film: Llamarse Olimpia (directed by Indira Cato) - a documentary about Olimpia Coral Melo, who spent 13 years promoting a law against cyber sexual violence in Mexico. Released theatrically in Mexico on March 6, 2026.
FICG 40 (2025) - Best Ibero-American Fiction Film: The Last Blue (O Ultimo Azul, directed by Gabriel Mascaro, Brazil) - a dystopian drama following a 77-year-old woman in the Amazon. Won the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the 2025 Berlin International Film Festival.
FICG 40 (2025) - Best Ibero-American Documentary: Afternoons of Solitude (Tardes de Soledad, directed by Albert Serra, Spain/France/Portugal) - an observational documentary following bullfighter Andres Roca Rey. Released in the U.S. by Grasshopper Film.
Notable Alumni Films and Where They Ended Up
FICG has been a launchpad for Ibero-American films that achieved international distribution and awards recognition:
- Roma (Alfonso Cuaron, 2018) - screened at FICG's Cineteca to sold-out audiences. Won 3 Academy Awards (Best Foreign Language Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography) and the Golden Lion at Venice. Distributed by Netflix.
- I'm No Longer Here (Ya no estoy aqui, Fernando Frias de la Parra, 2019) - won the Ariel Award for Best Picture in Mexico. Acquired by Netflix for global distribution.
- The Last Blue (Gabriel Mascaro, 2025) - won Best Ibero-American Fiction Film at FICG 40 after winning the Silver Bear at Berlinale.
- Querida Fatima (2026) - the FICG 41 Mezcal winner is now touring the international documentary festival circuit, including Sheffield DocFest.
Submission Tips Specific to This Festival
The Mexican premiere requirement is strictly enforced: your film cannot have screened at any Mexican festival, cinema, or streaming platform before FICG. If you are planning a Latin American festival circuit, hold your Mexican premiere for FICG.
The free submission window (September 8 to 26) is unusual for a major festival. If you miss it, the paid fees are still among the lowest of any major international festival.
For the Encuentro de Coproduccion, you need at least 20% of financing secured and a complete project dossier (in Spanish and English) including synopsis, treatment, director and producer bios, budget summary in USD, and a financing plan. Selected projects get two free industry accreditations and direct access to international co-producers and financiers.
FICG does not pay screening fees for films selected in the Official Competition. Factor this into your festival budget if you are attending from outside Mexico. The 41st edition features Chile as guest of honor, meaning additional programming and industry focus on Chilean cinema.
Industry Reputation Notes
FICG is widely regarded as the most important festival and industry market for Ibero-American cinema. The Encuentro de Coproduccion is the most valuable industry program for filmmakers with projects in development, comparable to San Sebastian's WIP Latam but with a stronger focus on Mexican and Central American co-productions.
Compared to the Havana Film Festival, which launched its MECLA market in 2025, FICG has a much more developed industry infrastructure. Compared to Ventana Sur (Buenos Aires), FICG has a broader geographic focus across all of Ibero-America, while Ventana Sur is more focused on the Southern Cone. FICG's free submission window and low fees also make it more accessible.
FICG consistently programs socially engaged cinema. The 2026 Mezcal winner Querida Fatima (feminicide documentary) and the Ibero-American winner The Red Hangar (1973 Chilean coup) both address urgent political and social issues.
Awards / Accreditation
FICG presents three official statuettes: the Mayahuel (most competitive categories), the Chucho (animation), and the EMME (Maguey Award/LGBTQ+ categories). The Mezcal Award for Best Mexican Film carries a cash prize of MX$500,000 (approximately $25,000 USD), one of the largest cash prizes at any Latin American festival.
FICG is not an Academy Award-qualifying festival. However, the festival's industry programs have helped films secure completion funding and international sales representation, leading to downstream Oscar eligibility through theatrical distribution.
The 41st edition honors Darren Aronofsky (international Mayahuel), actress Luisa Huertas (Silver Mayahuel), Elena Vilardell (industry tribute), Lola Duenas (Maguey Lifetime Achievement), Sebastian Lelio and Pablo Larrain (Ibero-American Mayahuel), and Maite Alberdi (international tribute).
What Filmmakers Should Know
FICG is the most important festival for Ibero-American cinema. If your film is from Mexico, Latin America, Spain, or Portugal, FICG offers the largest competitive platform and industry network in the Spanish-speaking world. The Mexican premiere requirement is strictly enforced: your film cannot have screened at any Mexican festival, cinema, or streaming platform before FICG.
The free submission window (September 8 to 26) is unusual for a major festival. If you miss it, the paid fees are still among the lowest of any major international festival. FICG does not pay screening fees for films selected in the Official Competition, so factor this into your festival budget if attending from outside Mexico.
The Encuentro de Coproduccion is the most valuable industry program for filmmakers with projects in development. It requires at least 20% of financing to be secured and a complete project dossier in Spanish and English. Selected projects get two free industry accreditations and direct access to international co-producers and financiers. The 41st edition features Chile as guest of honor.
Watch
See Also
For understanding Latin American cinema, see International Film Markets. For festival strategy, see Film Festival Strategy. Use the Festival Entry Fee ROI Calculator to evaluate whether the submission cost makes sense for your project.
