Regional and local films from the Curaçao International Film Festival screened at the Morelia International Film Festival

WILLEMSTAD – The Curaçao International Film Festival (CIFF) is proud to share that several films from its 2025 edition were showcased last weekend at the renowned Morelia International Film Festival (MIFF) in Mexico.

Now in its 23rd edition, MIFF is considered one of the leading film festivals in Central and Latin America. Each year, it attracts prominent figures from the international film world, including Jodie Foster, Javier Bardem, Juliette Binoche, Quentin Tarantino, and Todd Haynes.

The collaboration between CIFF and MIFF dates back to 2013. Since then, both festivals have regularly exchanged films, with a strong focus on emerging talent from the Caribbean region. Winners of CIFF’s Yellow Robin Award – a competition dedicated to regional filmmakers – have often been given the opportunity to present their work internationally through this partnership.

During CIFF 2025, Daniela Michel, General Director of MIFF, served as president of the Yellow Robin Award jury. Each year, the winning film of this competition is screened at the Mexican festival, further strengthening the bond between both events.

This year, that collaboration went even further: in addition to the Yellow Robin selection, MIFF’s programming committee also included five films from CIFF’s Caribbean Focus section – Mangel, Mas ku Palabra, Sunny, Up the River, and Zwarte Ibis.

The inclusion of these titles marks a significant recognition of the growing film community in Curaçao and across the region. It highlights that creativity and quality are not limited by the size of an industry — with dedication, collaboration, and modern tools, Caribbean filmmakers continue to gain international attention for their work.

This milestone aligns perfectly with CIFF’s mission to support local filmmakers and strengthen the Caribbean’s cinematic voice. Through new initiatives like the Watapana Competition, CIFF aims to provide even more space for local talent and innovative storytelling.

Representatives from CIFF attended the festival in Morelia for Q&A sessions and meetings to explore further collaboration between the two festivals.