Photo © FICG / Citlalli Vital
With the aim of consolidating Jalisco as one of the driving forces of the audiovisual industry in Mexico, the creation of the FILMA Award was announced, a new distinction that seeks to recognize and support the most outstanding film productions made in the state.
The award, which will be presented for the first time in 2026, aims to reinforce public policy to promote local audiovisual production and inspire new generations of filmmakers. It is organized by the Jalisco State Film Commission (FILMA), with the support of the Jalisco State Ministry of Tourism, and in collaboration with FICG.
During the official announcement at FICG40, Michelle Fridman, the state's Secretary of Tourism, underscored Jalisco's deep connection to the seventh art: "Jalisco has a great history with cinema. Cinema cannot be understood without the participation of Jalisco, and Jalisco cannot be understood without its passage through the film and audiovisual industry".
Fridman stressed that film is a powerful economic and tourism tool for the state because, in his words, "today film is no longer just art, it is also a lever for the economy and job creation. Thanks to the talent trained here and the incentives we offer, tourism and cinema go hand in hand in Jalisco," he said.
In this sense, the FILMA Award will take up the vision of the previously known as the Made in Jalisco Award, created in 2021, and will be strengthened by incorporating an economic stimulus of 70,000 pesos for the best feature film and 30,000 pesos for the best short film. This support will be granted to productions that stand out both for their quality and their link to the state.
In addition, it was confirmed that the Ariel Awards, the highest recognition of Mexican cinema, will be held this year in Puerto Vallarta, an emblematic destination that has been the scene of major productions.
With initiatives such as the FILMA Award and the upcoming celebration of the Ariel Awards in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco not only reaffirms its commitment to promote local talent, but also positions itself as a national reference in strengthening the audiovisual industry, betting on a cinema that generates identity, employment and international projection.