Francis Ford Coppola, Alexander Payne, Alfonso Cuaron at Morelia Fest

Mexico’s official entry to the Oscars, “Sujo,” was the big winner at the 22nd Morelia International Film Festival (FICM), taking home the prestigious Ojo Awards for Best Film, Director, and Screenplay. Co-directed and written by Astrid Rondero and Fernanda Valadez, the duo behind the acclaimed film “Identifying Features,” “Sujo” also impressed audiences at the Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Grand Jury Prize for World Cinema.

Described by Variety as a refreshing departure from the typical violent drug war movies, “Sujo” tells the poignant coming-of-age story of a young boy named Sujo, portrayed by Kevin Uriel Aguilar Luna and Juan Jesús Varela, who grapples with the influence of drug cartels in his community. After his father, a hired assassin, is killed, Sujo becomes a target himself, but his courageous aunt steps in to protect him.

The success of “Sujo” at FICM was just one highlight of the star-studded festival, which attracted industry heavyweights like Francis Ford Coppola, Alfonso Cuarón, Ava DuVernay, and more. The event kicked off with the screening of France’s Oscar submission, “Emilia Pérez,” directed by Jacques Audiard and featuring a stellar cast led by Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez.

Legendary filmmaker Coppola was honored with the Artistic Excellence Award at FICM, while cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto showcased his directorial debut, “Pedro Páramo,” a film adaptation of Juan Rulfo’s classic novel. Prieto, known for his work on acclaimed films like “Brokeback Mountain” and “The Irishman,” received praise for his directorial efforts.

Closing the festival on a high note was Cuarón, who presented his latest project, the AppleTV+ limited series “Disclaimer.” The festival also featured Mexican premieres of notable films such as “The Brutalist” by Brady Corbet, “A Sudden Glimpse to Deeper Things” by Mark Cousins, and “El Jockey” by Luis Ortega.

Among the winners at the 22nd FICM were Andrés Revo for Best Actor in “Fine Young Men,” Diana Laura Di for Best Actress in “Violent Butterflies,” and Ana Ts’uyeb for Best Mexican Documentary with “I Died.” Special mentions were also given to films like “Cracked” by Alana Simoes and “Renta Imagen: Niño halcón duerme entre visiones de un incendio” by Mauricio Sáenz-Cánovas.

Overall, the 22nd FICM was a celebration of Mexican cinema, showcasing the best works of the year and honoring talented filmmakers and actors. The festival highlighted the diversity and creativity of Mexican cinema, solidifying its reputation as a hub for groundbreaking storytelling and artistic innovation.