The short film An Apple, a Bee and a Tree – Čeberol’ca from Slovenia, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2021, is the winner of the Best Young Director category of IGCAT’s International Food Film Menu 2023.
Nature, tradition, heritage and sustainability. All these elements have come together in this film which is a new chapter in the story of an old fruit variety, the sevniška voščenka (the Sevnica waxed apple). The film presents the sustainable Čeberol’ca product, which is a natural and reusable food wrapper, part of the An Apple, a Bee and a Tree package, which won the Most Ecological Choice award in IGCAT’s World Food Gift Challenge 2023. Set in a scenography Slovenian landscape, the story focuses on a recipe that includes the Sevnica waxed apple and incorporates it into the use of Čeberol’ca.
Produced and directed by Jani Leskovec for Tjaša Mesinger (owner of Čeberol’ca and also writer of the short film), An Apple, a Bee and a Tree – Čeberol’ca was selected by an international jury of IGCAT experts as the best short film in the Young Directors category for representing the excellent work of a young filmmaker at the early stages of his directing career, focusing on food and sustainability.
“The photography of this film is extremely artistic and qualitative. Lights, colours, clothing and landscapes seem to be extracted directly from a historic movie,” stated jury member Virginie Brégeon.
“We can see a beautiful imagery and colour grading in this film that depicts the multiple use of beeswax wraps to replace plastic wraps, as well as an amazing craft git related to food. Nice storyline and strong relationship with food products from the area and the local cuisine,” affirmed jury member Robert Palmer.
The international jury of IGCAT’s International Food Film Menu 2023 included: Mai Damgaard Rasmussen (Denmark), Director of the FoodFilmFestival of Aarhus and Chair of the jury; Lluís Valentí, Director of the Girona Film Festival (Spain); Irene Giannakopoulos, Founder and President of Amorgos International Film Festival (Greece); Robert Palmer (Scotland), independent consultant and former Director of Culture, Cultural and Natural Heritage at the Council of Europe; Virginie Brégeon de Saint-Quentin, expert in design, marketing and artistic direction (France); and Raúl Torres Ajiaco, Communications Manager and Digital Content Creator at IGCAT (Colombia).
An online public’s vote is open (10-17 October 2023) to select the Public’s Favourite Film, that will be announced together with 1st, 2nd and 3rd Prize at the 35th Girona Film Festival (Catalonia, World Region of Gastronomy awarded 2025) on 11 November 2023.
Watch all category winners of the Food Film Menu 2023 and vote!
About IGCAT’s International Food Film Menu
IGCAT’s Food Film Menu contributes to internationally promote local food products, know-how, traditions and new trends related to gastronomy and crafts; encourage film directors to become ambassadors for their regions; and stimulate awareness of food and cultural diversity.
According to director Ljubomir Stefanov, official ambassador for the project, “IGCAT’s Food Film Menu is a wonderful initiative that raises awareness about food’s vital role in local sustainable development.”
To increase the visibility of the Food Film Menu, IGCAT collaborates with several international film festivals and cultural institutions including: the FoodFilmFestival in Aarhus; Girona Film Festival; EATSA Art & Tourism Film Festival; ART&TUR International Tourism Film Festival; Amorgos Tourism Film Festival; Menorca International Film Festival; and NNLE Youth Palace of Zugdidi Municipality in Georgia.
Watch the winners of the previous editions:
About the World/European Regions of Gastronomy
World/European Regions of Gastronomy, guided by IGCAT, are working together to strengthen food security through the celebration of distinctive food cultures; create employment by stimulating creativity and gastronomic innovation; nourish children and adults through culinary and cultural education; driving environmental sustainability in tourism, hospitality and agricultural sectors; supporting balance and sustainable tourism practices; highlighting and supporting expertise from within rural and urban communities, creating connections and sharing good practices; and contributing to community health and well-being.
About IGCAT
IGCAT aims to empower local communities by raising awareness of the importance of protecting and promoting distinct regional food, culture, arts and natural assets as part of sustainable and balanced tourism and development strategies. This is essential to safeguarding our planet, health, wellness and local economies.
IGCAT is a non-profit institute established in 2012, working with regional stakeholder consortiums in the fields of gastronomy, culture, arts and tourism. It counts on the expertise of a worldwide network of experts and works in partnership with specialised intergovernmental organisations.
IGCAT founded the World/European Region of Gastronomy Award and is the official secretariat for the World/European Regions of Gastronomy Platforms. Furthermore, the Institute has developed the European Young Chef Award, the World Food Gift Challenge, the Top Websites for Foodie Travelers Award and the international Food Film Menu.