Two films from IGCAT’s Food Film Menu 2021 triumphed at the 12th Amorgos Tourism Film Festival, held on 4-9 November 2021 on the island of Amorgos (South Aegean, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2019).
A Food and Love Story from Menorca, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2022 and Tastes of Al-Hasah, from Saudi Arabia were respectively awarded 1st Prize and 3rd Prize in the category Tourism Products / Gastronomy during the festival’s Award Ceremony on 7 November.
The first gastronomic short film made in Menorca, A Food and Love Story was awarded Best European Film Overall in the Food Film Menu 2021. Produced by Bendito Films for the Consell Insular de Menorca, it is the fictional story of a child who dreams of being a chef. One summer, he meets a foreign little girl with whom he makes great friends but who returns home once her holiday is over. Years later, life makes them meet again.
Tastes of Al-Hasa was selected as Best Potential World Region of Gastronomy Film in the Food Film Menu 2021. Produced by Merak Media Production for the Saudi Tourism Authority, the short film offers a journey through Al-Hasah, Saudi’s prominent palm trees destination and its unique culture and flavours, glimpsing into its rich agriculture, special bread bakeries, nuts roasteries, and the making of other signature dishes.
The International jury of the Amorgos Tourism Film Festival awarded films from 18 countries in ten competitive sections. Among them, Vilnius, Amazing wherever you think it is won the Grand Prix Award.
The International Amorgos Tourism Film Festival is an annual four-day event, organized by the Cultural Women’s Association of Amorgos, The Municipality of Amorgos, and the District of South Aegean. It started in 2010 during the 8th International Congress of Culture and Tourism YPERIA and the main purpose of the Festival is to create an international platform for enhancing global tourism through audiovisual media and reward the World’s Best Tourism Films and Travel Videos. The Amorgos Film Festival is a member of the International Committee of Tourism Film Festivals – CIFFT, organization based in Vienna.
About IGCAT’s Food Film Menu
IGCAT’s Food Film Menu aims to collect short films about awarded and candidate European and World Regions of Gastronomy that help raise awareness about the importance of food and cultural diversity for community well-being and a more sustainable future.
The competition challenges directors from all over the globe to creatively unveil the countless, fascinating food stories that their regions hold. Local food products, recipes, food producers, chefs, food traditions, food innovations, food techniques and practises, food landscapes or built heritage related to regional gastronomy are only a few of the eligible protagonists of the short films IGCAT seeks.
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.
Watch all category winners of IGCAT’s Food Film Menu 2021.
Watch all category winners of IGCAT’s Food Film Menu 2020.
About the European and World Regions of Gastronomy
Candidate and awarded European and World 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; drive environmental sustainability in tourism, hospitality and agricultural sectors; support balance and sustainable tourism practices; highlight and support expertise from within rural and urban communities, creating connections and sharing good practises; and contribute to community health and well-being.
About IGCAT
IGCAT aims to empower local communities by raising awareness of the importance to protect and promote distinct regional food, culture, arts and natural assets as part of sustainable and balanced tourism and development strategies. This is essential to safeguard 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 European and the World Region of Gastronomy Award and is the official secretariat for the European and World Regions of Gastronomy Platform. Furthermore, the Institute has developed the European Young Chef Award, the European Food Gift Challenge, the Top Websites for Foodie Travelers and the Food Film Menu.