The Spanish film Deaf, directed by Eva Libertad, has been awarded the Latin American Critics’ Award for European Films, presented by European Film Promotion (EFP) in cooperation with the Guadalajara International Film Festival (FICG). In its second year, the award spotlights outstanding European cinema and its relevance for Latin American audiences.
Today's announcement of the winning film is during the ongoing Guadalajara International Film Festival, which runs until 14 June.
Libertad, whose debut feature is also part of the festival’s official programme, was truly touched about this honour: "We are very grateful to the jury of the Latin American Critics Award for Best European Film for this recognition, it is an honour for us that Deaf has been awarded among 19 European films. We are so thrilled because it will help the film to be seen in Latin America, and we really hope that it will also connect with the audience there".
Deaf is a deeply personal film, based on her short of the same name and starring her deaf sister, Miriam Garlo. The story explores the intimate relationship between a deaf woman and her hearing partner as they prepare to have a child, capturing the nuances of connection, conflict, and communication across different worlds. Libertad describes the film as a reflection of her own experience growing up alongside her sister—marked by love, challenges, and constant evolution. Deaf premiered in the Berlinale Panorama section, winning both the Audience Award and the Arthouse Cinema Award, and went on to receive six awards at the 28th Festival de Málaga, including Best Film, Best Actress, and Best Actor. The film is a Spanish production by Distinto Films, Nexus CreaFilms, and A Contracorriente Films, with world sales handled by Madrid-based Latido Films.
“We are very happy to celebrate European film at the Guadalajara International Film Festival and warmly congratulate Eva Libertad and the entire team on this outstanding film which is full of empathy, timely in its message, direct and at the same time so grounded and real, without becoming overly dramatic or sentimental,” says EFP’s Deputy Manager Jo Mühlberger. “A big thank you from us at EFP also goes to the 33 jury members from 13 Latin American countries who watched a total of 19 films and help to give European cinema more visibility. And of course, we are very grateful to our partner, the Guadalajara International Film Festival, for hosting the Latin American Critics' Award for the second time.”
Estrella Araiza, Managing Director of the Guadalajara International Film Festival, adds: “We have witnessed great changes in cinematography. We are currently experiencing a revolution in film consumption and criticism, which is why this award is so relevant.“
In 2024, EFP launched the Latin American Critics’ Award to boost the visibility of European films in Latin America, while highlighting at the same time the key role role of film critics in promoting arthouse cinema. It's about increasing circulation, sparking dialogue, and growing the appetite for European cinema across the region. Last year's winner was The Teachersʼ Lounge by İlker Çatak (Germany).
The Latin American Critics’ Awards, in cooperation with the Guadalajara International Film Festival (FICG), is made possible thanks to the support of Creative Europe – the MEDIA Programme of the European Union - and the respective national film promotion institutes. Media partners are LatAm cinema and Cineuropa as well as Festival Scope.
About the Guadalajara International Film Festival
The reinvention of Mexican cinema started at the Guadalajara International Film Festival (FICG), and since then, the festival has become a fundamental meeting point for the Mexican and Ibero-American film community. The FICG is one of the most solid film events in Latin America because of its programme and the assembly of industry professionals. It has contributed substantially to the formation of audiences of cinema.
