The 15th annual Filméxico festival will bring a diverse lineup of contemporary Mexican independent films to Salt Lake City beginning Thursday, Nov. 12, according to announcements from the festival organizers. The event, which features both established filmmakers and emerging voices, is scheduled to take place at Broadway Centre Cinemas through Thursday, Nov. 19.
Celebrating 15 Years of Film
The festival is a collaborative effort involving the Consulate of Mexico in Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake Film Society, and Artes de México en Utah. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the event, which organizers say serves as a platform for Mexican cinema that might not otherwise be available to local audiences. The festival aims to foster cultural exchange, community engagement, and dialogue through the medium of film.
Tori A. Baker, President and CEO of the Salt Lake Film Society, noted that reaching the 15th anniversary is a significant achievement for FILMéxico. Baker stated that the festival's ability to unite people through stories that celebrate Mexican culture, challenge perspectives, and create deep connections is what makes the event special. Baker added that the organization is excited to commemorate the milestone with an extraordinary selection of internationally recognized filmmakers and films.
International Award-Winning Cinema
The 2026 programming includes several films that have received recognition at prestigious international festivals, such as Cannes, Berlin, and Venice. One of the featured films is En el Camino, which won the Queer Lion and the Premio Horizontes for best film at the Venice International Film Festival. The film is also the official Mexican representative for consideration for the 2027 Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.
Another highlighted production is Chicas Tristes, which won the Crystal Bear for best film from the Generation 14plus Young Jury and the Grand Prix for best film from the International Jury at the 2026 Berlin International Film Festival. Also scheduled for screening is Seis Meses en el Edificio Rosa con Azul, which was selected for the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. Additionally, El Diablo Fuma (y guarda las cabezas de los cerillos quemados en la misma caja) was awarded Best Opera Prima at the 75th edition of the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale).
Full Screening Schedule
The festival's opening night is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 12, featuring a private reception at 6:00 p.m., followed by a 7:00 p.m. screening of Los Hijos de la Costa. The evening will include a live Q&A session with director Bruno Bancalari, allowing the audience to engage directly with the filmmaker.
Other scheduled screenings include:
- Friday, Nov. 13: Chicas Tristes at 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 14: En el Camino at 7:00 p.m.
- Sunday, Nov. 15: Seis Meses en el Edificio Rosa con Azul at 7:00 p.m.
- Monday, Nov. 16: An additional screening of Chicas Tristes at 7:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, Nov. 17: Sinahal, Señora de los Partos at 7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, Nov. 18: El Diablo Fuma (y guarda las cabezas de los cerillos quemados en la misma caja) at 7:00 p.m.
Closing Night and Venue
The festival will conclude on Thursday, Nov. 19, with a screening of Hijas del Bosque at 7:00 p.m., followed by a panel discussion. All festival screenings are set to take place at Broadway Centre Cinemas, located at 111 E 300 S in Salt Lake City.
Festival History and Mission
FILMéxico was co-founded in 2011 alongside the Salt Lake Film Society. Since its inception, the event has focused on presenting Mexican independent cinema, including feature films, short films, and panels with filmmakers, as the only annual Mexican film event in Utah.
