In its upcoming edition, the Lanzarote Film Festival will mark a turning point in its history with the presentation of a physical award specially designed for the Official Section, something that had not happened in its 14 years of existence. Until now, the recognition for the best film did not include any tangible object, but in 2025, the festival has decided to take a step forward and create an award that represents the essence of cinema on the island.
True to its commitment to the environment and the community, the Lanzarote Film Festival has once again turned to local agents to join forces and continue strengthening the island's cultural fabric. On this occasion, the collaboration with the Juan Brito Foundation, an institution dedicated to preserving the legacy of the famous archaeologist and artisan from Lanzarote, has resulted in a unique award: a ceramic piece inspired by the pottery tradition of Lanzarote and molded with traditional techniques. More than just an award, this piece represents the fusion between cinema and craftsmanship, reinforcing the festival's link with local identity and heritage.
Unlike the usual awards at film festivals, which are usually decorative statuettes with no purpose other than to be displayed, this award has an added value: it is a utilitarian piece. It is not just a symbolic object, but a functional work that can be integrated into the daily life of the winners. This decision reinforces the idea that the recognition of cinema should become something alive, tangible and useful, just like cinema in society.
In the words of Javier Fuentes Feo, director of the Lanzarote Film Festival: “In 2018 we decided that the Honorary Award for each year would be a special bottle from Bodegas El Grifo, a wine that the winners could enjoy and share with their loved ones. This decision has made this award unique in the world. The collaboration that we are now opening with the Juan Brito Foundation connects with the same purpose. We love that the award for best feature film is a piece of ceramics made by Juan Brito's son. And we like that it is not a decorative object, but something that can be part of the daily life of the winners. It is about creating an award again that integrates into the lives of those who receive it.”
The choice of ceramics was not accidental. Like a film, each piece goes through a creation process where time, patience and fire transform the raw material into a unique and lasting work. Thus, this award will not only recognize cinematographic excellence, but will also pay tribute to the cultural identity of Lanzarote, establishing a link between cinema and traditional crafts.
The Lanzarote Film Festival has the collaboration of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, the Art, Culture and Tourism Centers, the Lanzarote Foreign Promotion Society through its product brand Lanzarote Film Commission and the sponsorship of the Canary Islands Institute of Cultural Development (ICDC), the Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts of Spain (ICAA), the Government of Spain through the Ministry of Industry and Tourism, the Government of the Canary Islands, Canary Islands Latitude of Life and the European Union, through the Next Generation EU initiative and the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan.
