The short film Harvesting Memories from Saimaa, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2024, is the winner of the Educating for Our Future category of IGCAT’s International Food Film Menu 2023.
This video invites us to step into the world of a 10-year-old Finnish girl as she takes us through her precious day. From gathering wild treasures of mushrooms and berries to learning the art of bread-making, she shares her family’s culinary traditions. Through her eyes, we witness the seamless passage of these traditions, where food and nature intertwine.
Directed by Ukko Torni for Visit Karelia, Harvestiing Memories was selected by an international jury of IGCAT experts as the best short film in the Educating for Our Future category for contributing to nourishing children and adults through culinary and cultural education for responsible production and consumption, with the aim to improve people’s health, encourage sustainable development, and instil pride in local food cultures.
“A delightfully narrated film showing the wild beauty of North Karelia. The storytelling made by a child gives special magic to the charming images,” affirmed jury member Lluís Valentí.
“Superb photography and very inspiring images of a family outing in the forest. Everything is well thought out, from the accessories to the outfits, and it is quite nice to listen to the young girl talk about the family transmission of eating well,” stated jury member Virginie Brégeon.
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.