In the presence of a delegation of more than 30 international representatives of IGCAT and the Platform of World Regions of Gastronomy, the event was held at the Casa de Cultura de Girona, as part of the 35th Film Festival from Girona.
Collect memoriesa short film sharing culinary traditions seen from a child’s perspective, won 1st Prize IGCATIt is International Food Film Menu 2023 competition. The winner of Saimaa, European Region of Gastronomy awarded in 2024, was announced with the 2nd prize, Route Latitude Iche: A journey through the flavors of Manabí; 3rd prize, Catalonia is appetizing; and the audience’s favorite film, The Aegean Apocalypse, during an awards ceremony organized as part of the Girona Film Festival, on November 11, 2023.
A screening of all the category winners of the Food Film Menu 2023 saw food as local food as the protagonist.
1st prize: Harvesting Memories, from Saimaa, European Region of Gastronomy awarded in 2024 (Finland)
Already selected as best short film in the Educating for Our Future category, the film produced by Minna Rautiainen-Cimrin and directed by Ukko Torni for Visit Karelia, Harvesting Memories, invites us to enter the world of a 10-year-old Finn. daughter as she takes us through her precious day. Through her eyes, we witness the fluid passage of these traditions, where food and nature intertwine. “A delightfully told film showing the wild beauty of North Karelia. The narration by a child gives a special magic to the charming images,” said Lluís Valentí, member of the jury. “Superb photography and very inspiring images of a family outing in the forest. Everything is well thought out, from the accessories to the outfits, and it’s quite pleasant to hear the young girl talk about the family transmission of eating well,” declared Virginie Brégeon, member of the jury.
2nd Prize: Latitude Iche Route – A journey through the flavors of Manabí, from Manabí, candidate for the World Gastronomy Region 2026 (Ecuador)
After the selection of the best short film highlighting a global gastronomy region, Latitude Iche Route: A journey through the flavors of Manabí, directed by Juanka Castillo for the FUEGOS Foundation takes us on a gastronomic journey on the Latitude Iche Route and is an invitation to explore the flavors, aromas and techniques that make this region a unique culinary destination on the world stage; promote sustainability, local development and culinary excellence. “A film that conveys love and respect for the land, showing us the changing landscapes and the people connected to them along the Latitude Iche route,” said jury member Mai Damgaard. “Latitude Iche, a tasting route in Ecuador, is very well illustrated in the film. We discover traditional products and meet locals engaged in this collective promotion of the territory through food” declared Virginie Brégeon, member of the jury.
3rd Prize: Catalonia is appetizing, awarded by Catalonia, World Gastronomy Region 2025 (Spain)
Catalonia is appetizing was chosen as the best short film of the health and wellbeing category of the Food Film Menu 2023. Quote from Ferran Adrià “It is in the breaks that innovation develops. Stop, think, plan. And then produce” guides Maria, Núria, Cesc and Marc in their trip/meeting in Catalonia, the land that saw them grow emotionally and culinaryly. To know where you are going, you have to know where you come from, and in Catalonia, they will experience the most delicious stay of their life. Produced by Craft and Sr. Alce Films and led by Blai Graell for the Catalan Tourist Officehe won third prize.
“What programming! Amazing cast showing the importance of connection, heart, health, scenery, friends and family. This reminds us of the importance of taking time for yourself, for your loved ones and for the planet by making simple but necessary choices. confirmed member of the jury Mai Damgaard.
“An entertaining story showing beautiful landscapes and connecting art, history, tradition and cuisine. This is an uplifting video that makes extensive use of different audiovisual resources to create a storyline on the main concept of the break, keeping food at the center. » declared member of the jury Irene Giannakopoulos.
Every year, IGCAT opens the menu of culinary films to public voting and this year, the audience’s favorite film was The Aegean Apocalypsefirst selected as the best short film featuring one or more Young Chef Ambassadors. The film directed by Yiannis Glinatsis-Reisisof South Aegean, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2019 (Greece)dive into the life of a young chef Aikaterini Gonidaki, who represented the South Aegean at the European Young Chef Award 2022. It shows his personal journey from childhood to becoming a professional chef in Patmos and Kos. In this video we look at the evolution Kakaviea fisherman’s dish, and Aikaterini’s deep respect for tradition and excellent Aegean ingredients and his incredible innovation of the dish.
“A beautiful story with a crucial message about the link between the territory and cuisine, as well as the importance of passing on knowledge from generation to generation. » declared member of the jury Irene Giannakopoulos. “A poetic and engaging video showing beautiful landscapes and a traditional recipe carefully made on a boat. We then follow this young chef into her gourmet restaurant, where her undeniable talent is manifested. » confirmed member of the jury Virginie Brégeon.
IGCAT International Food Film Menu
The IGCAT International Food Film Menu 2023 included 11 categories: World Food Region; European region of gastronomy; Young Chef Ambassadors; Food and craft gifts; Feed the planet; Innovation, creativity and employment opportunities; Educate for our future; Balanced and sustainable tourism; Connecting urban and rural; Health and wellbeing; Best Young Director.
A committee of international experts from the food, culture and film sectors selected a winning short film in each category, which now forms the Food Film Menu 2023, which will be presented at different international film festivals. Among the category winners, they chose the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Prize.
The international jury included: Mai Damgaard Rasmussen (Denmark), Director of FoodFilmFestival Aarhus and president of the jury; Luis Valentidirector of Girona Film Festival (Spain); Irène Giannakopoulos, founder and president of Amorgos International Film Festival (Greece); Robert Palmer (Scotland), independent consultant and former Director of Culture, Cultural and Natural Heritage at the Council of Europe; Virginie Brégeon of Saint-Quentin, expert in design, marketing and artistic direction (France); And Raul Torres Ajiacocommunications manager and digital content creator at IGCAT (Colombia).
Following the announcement of the category winners, IGCAT opened an online public vote (October 10-17, 2023) to select the The audience’s favorite film.
The IGCAT Food Film Menu contributes to internationally promoting local food products, know-how, traditions and new trends linked to gastronomy and crafts; encourage directors to become ambassadors for their region; and stimulate awareness of food and cultural diversity.
According to the director Ljubomir Stefanovofficial ambassador of the project, “The IGCAT Food Film Menu is a wonderful initiative that raises awareness of the vital role of food in local sustainable development. To increase the visibility of the Food Film Menu, IGCAT collaborates with several international film festivals and cultural institutions, including: the FoodFilmFestival in Aarhus; Girona Film Festival; EATSA Art and Tourism Film Festival; ART&TUR International Tourist Film Festival; Amorgos Tourist Film Festival; Menorca International Film Festival; and the NNLE Youth Palace in Zugdidi Municipality, Georgia.
Theodore is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews’ long-term opportunities.
