Each autumn, the streets of Morelia, in the state of Michoacán, Mexico, become alive with film screenings, talks, premieres, and cinephile chatter. The Festival Internacional de Cine de Morelia (FICM) is a major moment in the calendar—for Mexican filmmakers, for audiences hungry for fresh stories, and for the industry at large. Below, a look at its origins, some standout moments, and what’s lined up for its 23rd edition in October 2025.
Origins and Evolution
- The festival was founded in 2002/2003 (sources vary slightly depending on definitions of foundation vs first edition) by Daniela Michel, Alejandro Ramírez Magaña, and Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas Batel, with the goal of supporting new Mexican film talents, increasing film offerings in Mexico, and promoting Mexican cinema nationally and globally.
- Over time, FICM has developed into a multi-faceted event: not only competitions and premieres, but retrospectives, workshops, conferences, industry networking (for example via Morelia Pro), and special programs to reach wider audiences.
- A distinctive feature is Impulso Morelia, launched in 2015: a program for Mexican feature (fiction and documentary) filmmakers in post-production to present their projects to experts — producers, programmers, distributors — and receive support to finish, promote and circulate them.
- The festival’s venues include Cinépolis Morelia Centro (in the historic city centre), other theatres in Morelia, and sometimes even public plazas, plus related venues in the state. Some screenings are free, and FICM has made efforts to reach broader and more rural / indigenous communities.
Notable Guests & Highlights
Over its history, FICM has brought many internationally and domestically famous filmmakers, actors and cinematic figures. Here are a few:
- In its 22nd edition (2024), Francis Ford Coppola, a five-time Oscar winner, was honoured with the Artistic Excellence Award and presented his film Megalopolis.
- The 21st edition included Willem Dafoe receiving the same Artistic Excellence distinction.
- In earlier editions have been guests such as Alejandro González Iñárritu, Juliette Binoche, Ava DuVernay, James Ivory, Claire Denis, etc.
- It has also been a jumping-off point for many Mexican filmmakers; for example, Ya no estoy aquí (directed by Fernando Frías de la Parra) which won recognition at Morelia.
- The festival has regularly awarded prominent figures for lifetime or artistic excellence, and showcases both new voices and retrospectives of established ones.
What to Expect: FICM 2025 (23rd Edition)
Here’s the scoop on the upcoming festival, what’s new, and what to look out for:
- Dates: The 23rd FICM is scheduled from 10 to 19 October 2025 in Morelia, Michoacán. There will also be pre-inaugural screenings from 9 October.
- Format: The festival will include both in-person screenings in Morelia and virtual/online screenings through nuestrocine.mx.
- Official Selection:
• 101 Mexican films in competition.
• Of those, 15 works in the Sección Michoacana (mostly short films plus a couple of feature films); also sections for Mexican short films (animation, documentary, fiction), Mexican documentary feature, and Mexican feature fiction.
• Significant representation: ~46% of entries directed by women, and several by directors from indigenous or originario backgrounds. - Prizes: The competing works will vie for El Ojo, a sculpture designed by Michoacán artist Javier Marín, which serves as the top award in their categories, along with economic incentives and prizes in kind.
- Invited Guests & International Highlights: The roster of special guests is promising. According to announcements:
- Juliette Binoche — presenting her documentary In-I: In Motion
- Jafar Panahi — It Was Just an Accident (Palma de Oro winner at Cannes)
- Lucrecia Martel — Nuestra tierra
- Oliver Laxe — Sirât
- Robin Campillo — Enzo, co-directed with Laurent Cantet
Others include Alexandre O. Philippe, Javier Espada, Michael Almereyda.
- New / Special Programs: • The festival continues Morelia Pro, including a Laboratorio de Desarrollo de Proyectos Cinematográficos para Cineastas Indígenas y Afrodescendientes (Indigenous & Afro-descendent filmmakers). In 2025 this laboratory will happen 8-12 October, aligned with the Forum of Indigenous Peoples of the 23rd FICM. • There are free community venues (“Cine para todos”) doing screenings of both contemporary and classic Mexican films across Michoacán.
Some Things to Keep an Eye On
- How the indigenous and rural representation evolves: with more directors from originario communities in the mix, including how their films are received and whether they get recognition in big awards.
- Which films will get the Oscar-eligible status: some categories of short films, documentary features, etc., have automatic paths for consideration.
- The balance between local programming (Michoacán-made films, community screenings) and international prestige titles; often the festival is strongest when both are in dialogue.
- Special masterclasses, retrospectives, or tributes (often some of the most memorable parts of FICM). It hasn’t all been announced yet, but guests like Juliette Binoche, Jafar Panahi and Lucrecia Martel suggest strong prestige and enthusiasm.
I hope you enjoyed reading this summarized description of the Festival, it is a very joyful experience and there is something for everyone, this event never disappoints.
Saludos!
Carlos.
