• The new image of the Ensenada International Film Festival (FICens) was presented
• And the official venues where the 41 productions that make up the 2024 Official Selection will be screened

Ensenada, Baja California. – En rueda de prensa se presentó la Selección Oficial de producciones cinematográficas y la nueva imagen del Festival Internacional de Cine en Ensenada (FICens); que se celebrará del 21 al 24 de noviembre de 2024 en el puerto de Ensenada,  y las principales sedes de esta primera edición del Festival  que serán el Centro Estatal de las Artes (CEARTE) donde se presentará la selección oficial, además de llevarse a cabo la inauguración y clausura del evento, y Cinépolis Plaza Marina, con tres funciones diarias, dio a conocer el Comisionado de Cinematografía de la Secretaría de Economía e Innovación (SEI), Javier Espinoza Medina.

He added that the festival joins the offer of cinematographic events in the state such as the Creative Short of the University of the Californias International and the Cinematographic Analysis Forum (FACINE).

Caleb Triana Romero, Director of the Festival, highlighted the transformation of the third edition of the event into this first International Film Festival in Ensenada: "This evolution has occurred due to the need to have impactful events at the state, national and international that allow the exhibition of productions of new talents, as well as complementary activities such as conferences and workshops that will expand technical knowledge for local crews and add new audiences for independent cinema."

Triana Romero added that this has been possible thanks to the collaboration of the Baja Film Commission, Cinépolis Sala de Arte, CEARTE and Cinematografía y Escénica de México A.C. (CEMAC) through its PRODICINE program.

Tania Vela, General Coordinator of Cinematographic and Stage of Mexico A.C. (CEMAC), commented on the fundamental support of Cinematografía y Escénica de México to events that promote local and regional cinematographic work; Vela highlighted that "it is for these reasons that we trust that FICens, with the support of PRODICINE, will be an event of excellence that will enrich the cultural experience of Ensenada and Baja California."

During the event, Javier López, festival programmer, announced the 20 short films and 21 feature films that will be part of the official selection of the Ensenada International Film Festival in the four categories: Baja en Corto, Noroeste Shorts, International Feature Film and Mexican Feature Film.

Among the 112 film projects presented, 9 feature films from eight countries were selected: Colombia, Portugal, the United States, the United Kingdom, Iran, China, Ukraine and Argentina, and 12 Mexican feature films that include the Ensenada production "Surgencia" directed by José Alejandro Montalvo in collaboration with Chef Benito Molina and Hugo D'Acosta.

In addition, 13 short films from Baja California will be presented, including "She Stays", recently presented at Cannes Critics' Week 2024, and the short film from Ensenada "Amor Ice", which was in the Cannes short film corner. In the Northwest Shorts category, 7 productions will participate.

The winning productions in the different categories may be awarded various prizes, among which a color correction prize worth $46,000.00 M.N., sponsored by Jacalito Film, and a distribution prize, sponsored by Benuca Films.

As part of the announcements, the official image of the first International Film Festival in Ensenada was unveiled, designed by graphic artist Alejandra Castro. The designer mentioned that the image represents some of the emblematic marine species of the port of Ensenada, known for its great fishing and gastronomic activity.

"We want the world to know the great strengths of our municipality, among which its great diversity of seafood products stands out, as well as its gastronomy and the great potential that the creative industry has to develop and stand out together with these vocations in Ensenada and in Baja California," Castro explained.

The FICens is consolidated as a key event for the promotion of cinematographic talent from Baja California and Mexico, and as a vital space for independent cinema.

Official Selection of the Ensenada International Film Festival 2024:

COMPETITION: Baja En Corto (Baja California)

1.- EL CONEJO Dir. Karen Lóbu

2.- AUGUST Dir. Alejandra Navarro Beltrones

3.- CONSUELO Dir. JL. Ruiz

4- DALILA Dir. Luis Antonio Ceceña Elizalde

5.- SANAR LA TIERRA Dir. Lilian Paola Ovalle

6.- AMOR ICE Dir. Katy Araiza

7.- LUZ DE SOL Dir. Marco Aurelio Celis

8.- UN AGITADO VIENTO Dir. Patricia Montoya

9.- ELLA SE QUEDA Dir. Marinthia Gutiérrez Velazco

10.- CALLEJONES Dir. Diego Hernández

11.- ENTRE LAZOS Dir. Christian Adair Cervantes

12.- NISEI (SEGUNDA GENERACIÓN) Dir. José Miguel Lino

13.- OBLACIÓN Dir. Daniel Robledo De Basabe

COMPETITION: Northeast Short Films (Sonora, Sinaloa, Chihuahua y Baja Sur)

1.- CHICHI’ ALES Dir. José Lopez Aramburo

2.- LENTES ROSAS Dir. Zuzeth Amelia González

3.- HELENA Dir. Rebecca Arzac

4.- El TIEMPO VA Dir. Joisán Lopez

5.- ME LLAMO TOM Dir. Marco Mejía

6.- ARIHUA Dir. Guillermo Vejar

7.- PARA TI, JOSÉ Dir. María Camila Daniel Stone 

CATEGORY: Mexican Feature Film

1.- ITU NINU Dir. Itandehui Jansen

2.- YALUNG KANG. PIONEROS DE LA MONTAÑA Dir. Verónica De La Luz

3.- NORTE Dir. Natalia Bermúdez

4.- AMOR FANTASMA Dir. Marusia Estrada

5.- LA FRONTERA INVISIBLE Dir. Mariana Flores Villalba

6.- FRACTALIS Dir. Adrián Pallares

7.- EL CANTO DE LAS MOSCAS Dir. Ricardo Soto

8.- UNA CANCIÓN SOBRE LO QUE SEA Dir. José Luis Isoard

9.- EL GUARDIÁN DEL FARO Dir. Rafael Martínez – García

10.- SOY LO QUE NUNCA FUI Dir. Rodrigo Álvarez Flores

11.- SURGENCIA Dir. José Alejandro Montalvo

12.- CH’UL BE, SENDA SAGRADA Dir. Humberto Gómez Pérez

CATEGORY: International Feature Film

1.- LA OTRA FORMA Dir. Diego Felipe Guzmán

2.- SIKAT SUBAR – A HIDDEN COLORFUL FEATHER Dir. Diego Pessoa de Andrade

3.- AMERICAN POT STORY: OAKSTERDAM Dir. Ravit Markus, Dan Katzir

4.- BEYOND THE BEACH: THE HELL AND HOPE Dir. Graeme Scott, Buddy Squires

5.- WHAT’S LEFT BEHIND Dir. Javad Ebrah himinejad (H)

6.- IN THE FORM OF LOVE Dir. Siavash Asadi (H)

7.- OLD FASHION NEW LIFE Dir. Lam Can-Zhao (H)

8.- WE WILL NOT FADE AWAY Dir. Alisa Kovalenko

9.- EL ARRANQUE Dir. Federico Jacobi