Tijuana Film Festival Receives Warm Welcome In The Region

Tijuana’s Secretary of Culture, Illya Haro, highlighted the positive response the Tijuana Film Festival has received since its announcement.

From November 6 to 9, the city of Tijuana will host an event poised to leave a lasting mark on the cultural and film community: the inaugural edition of the Tijuana Film Festival, organized by the city’s Secretariat of Culture.

This gathering will not only celebrate the art of cinema but also provide training, creation, and exhibition opportunities for emerging talent.

In an interview with Ruta 25, Tijuana’s Secretary of Culture, Illya Haro, noted the overwhelmingly positive reaction from the community since the festival’s announcement.

“We’ve done very well; the reception has been very positive from the community overall. We’ve been engaging with the local and federal film industry since day one,” she said.

In addition to media outreach, Haro revealed that the festival will include visits to educational institutions to bring the project closer to young people and students.

“The festival promotes and supports the film industry in every way,” she emphasized.

One of the most inspiring initiatives in the festival is the Cine Talents Training Program, aimed at young people aged 18 to 30 residing in Baja California who want to develop professionally in the audiovisual world.

During the festival, participants will attend theoretical-practical workshops and mentorships in key areas such as production, directing, screenwriting, cinematography, and lighting, guided by industry professionals. Best of all, participation is free, and the festival will cover transportation, lodging, and meals for those selected.

In collaboration with the Subsecretariat of Creative Industries, the festival will also launch Plataforma Norte, an initiative to develop and produce new feature films in the region.

Eight advanced script projects will be selected to receive specialized guidance. At the end of the program, participants will present their work in a pitching session before a prestigious jury, with a $250,000 MXN cash prize awarded to the winning project.

The festival is also opening the 2025 University Short Film Competition, targeting students and graduates from higher education institutions in Mexico who have created short films between January 2024 and June 2025.

Selected works will be screened as part of the official program and will compete for Best Short Film and Best Direction. The awards ceremony will take place on November 9 during the closing event.

International Guests

Haro also shared that among the industry experts attending will be a screenwriter from the iconic film Taxi Driver, ensuring a rich exchange between established professionals and emerging talent.

The main venue will be the Casa de la Cultura de Playas, located in the historic Cortijo San José, one of the city’s most emblematic spaces.

With training opportunities, production incentives, and a platform for showcasing films, the Tijuana Film Festival is set to become a new cultural landmark at the border.