Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro received the prestigious Filmoteca UNAM Medal during the 24th Morelia International Film Festival (FICM) in Michoacán. The award recognizes his ongoing commitment to supporting Mexico’s cinematic heritage, preserving historic films, and advocating for the protection of creative labor across the industry.
The distinction was presented Sunday at the Teatro Melchor Ocampo by Jorge Martínez Micher, deputy director of outreach, along with Hugo Alejandro Concha Cantú, the university’s general counsel, representing the rector. Daniela Michel, director of the festival, also participated in the ceremony, which coincided with celebrations for the 20th anniversary of Del Toro’s acclaimed fantasy masterwork, El laberinto del fauno (Pan’s Labyrinth).
Honoring a Champion of Cinematic Heritage
During the ceremony, representatives of Filmoteca UNAM praised Del Toro for his generous backing of the institution’s restoration initiatives. The university’s film archive and the Morelia International Film Festival have maintained a collaborative relationship spanning over two decades, working together on retrospectives, academic publications, and public tributes to prominent cinema figures.
In a message sent by Hugo Villa Smythe, director general of Filmoteca UNAM, the institution expressed deep gratitude for the director’s support in rescuing classic nitrate prints. The speech also addressed modern threats facing the audiovisual arts:
Mucho necesitaremos de miradas y voces como la tuya ahora que el bicho voraz de la inteligencia artificial amenaza con llevarse por delante, no solo los miles de empleos y formas de vida de obreros cinematográficos que, con su artesanía diaria aportan creatividad humana a las películas, sino la creatividad misma de quienes están en el origen del hecho cinematográfico.
Reflections on the Past and Future of Mexican Cinema
Visibly moved during the gathering, Del Toro accepted the medal, which is traditionally crafted from pure silver recovered during the chemical development process in the university’s laboratories. Speaking to the packed theater, the Oscar-winning director emphasized that the diligent work carried out by film archives ensures that society retains both its historical memory and future vision.
The acclaimed director highlighted the importance of rescuing foundational pillars of Mexican cinema, noting ongoing efforts to restore classics such as Fernando Méndez’s El suavecito (1950) from original 35mm nitrate negatives. He reflected on his formation as a young viewer immersed in classic Mexican cinema and stressed that institutional protection remains essential for keeping these artistic works accessible to newer generations.
Festival Highlights and Future Projects
Del Toro’s presence in Morelia included a heavily attended master class at the Teatro Morelos, where he engaged with more than 1,200 students, filmmakers, and enthusiasts. During his interactions at the festival, he also announced upcoming restoration plans for his 2001 Gothic horror film, El espinazo del diablo (The Devil’s Backbone).
The 24th edition of the Morelia International Film Festival continues to spotlight major figures in international and Latin American cinema, reinforcing the vital link between academic institutions, public resources, and the preservation of Mexico’s rich audiovisual narrative.
Key Details of the Award
- Event: 24th Morelia International Film Festival (FICM)
- Date: Sunday, October 18, 2026
- Venue: Teatro Melchor Ocampo, Morelia, Michoacán
- Presenters: Jorge Martínez Micher and Hugo Alejandro Concha Cantú (UNAM)
- Medal Composition: 99.9% pure silver extracted from UNAM film laboratory development processes
