Crete – Sense the Authentic Taste, a short film that captures the aspirations of a young, innovative chef through the proud eyes of her mother, won the 1st Prize in IGCAT’s International Food Film Menu 2024 competition. The winner from Crete, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2026, was announced together with 2nd Prize, An Ode to West Jutland – Sander Mollerup; 3rd Prize, Discover the Magic of Thai Flavours; and the Public’s Favourite Film, Origin, at an award ceremony organised in the framework of Terres Travel Festival, on 19 September 2024.
Attended by a delegation of over 40 international and local representatives from IGCAT, the World Regions of Gastronomy Platform and further regions from across the globe, the event was held in the suggestive atmosphere of the Cripta de la Reparació in Tortosa, as part of the 8th Terres Travel Festival.
In a mouth-watering journey across colours and flavours from all over the world, all category winners of the International Food Film Menu 2024 were showcased and awarded, putting the spotlight on regional gastronomy.
The most eagerly anticipated highlight of the gala night was the announcement of:
1st Prize: Crete – Sense the Authentic Taste, from Crete, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2026 (Greece)
Already shortlisted as the best short film in the Educating for Our Future category, the film is produced by Indigo View and directed by Thodoris Papadoulakis for the Region of Crete. Sense the Authentic Taste, invites us to discover the taste map of Crete and the authentic hospitality of its inhabitants. The Cretan diet, synonymous with longevity, offers a multitude of flavors and aromas that fascinate all the senses.
“The storytelling focuses on the lineage of strong women and the culinary innovations of the daughter in Crete. The filming perfectly captures both the family’s delicious-looking traditional dishes and new fine-dining creations,” affirmed jury member Mai Damgaard Rasmussen.
2nd Prize: An Ode to West Jutland – Sander Mollerup, from Central Denmark, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2017 (Denmark)
Following its selection as Best Young Director, An Ode to West Jutland – Sander Mollerup, directed and produced by Valentin Marcus Andersen (Fenomenal Productions) for Business Region MidtVest, shows young chef Sander Mollerup embarking on a culinary odyssey of West Jutland, diving deep into the raw ingredients that made up his dish for the European Young Chef Award 2023.
“A young chef’s profound passion for ingredients and the meticulous care he takes in sourcing them are showcased in this high-quality production from Central Denmark. The film displays superb camera angles, colour grading and sound design, particularly noteworthy considering that a young director spearheaded its creation,” affirmed jury member Bilel Aboudi.
3rd Prize: Discover the Magic of Thai Flavours, from Thailand
Discover the Magic of Thai Flavours was chosen as the best short film in the Feeding the Planet category of the Food Film Menu 2024. In this short film, a chef who honours the balance of nature through food invites us all to explore and understand the origins of flavours from different regions of Thailand, a country rich in natural diversity, wisdom, and culture. Produced by Jutamas Jan Wisansing, Phanuphon Bulsuwan and Nisa Kongsri, and directed by Kidsdakon Sukmool for the Thailand Gastronomy Network, it won third prize.
“Visually this film from Thailand is amazing and thought-provoking! I love the idea of “deconstructing” the meal and taking us along on the journey of learning about the origins of each element.” stated jury member Yasmine Fofana.
Public Vote: Origin, from Menorca, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2022
Each year IGCAT opens the Food Film Menu to a public vote and this year the winner was Origin, first shortlisted as the best short in the Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship category. The film, directed by Jesús Sanjurjo and produced by Empatic Films delves in to the life of Martina, a Minorcan girl who grew up cooking with her grandmother Candela, who passed on her love for the island’s traditional gastronomy.
“Beautifully acted and a great storyline about a young chef who seeks creative inspiration abroad and ultimately finds it by innovating traditional recipes from her own region. Menorca, year after year, shows us a different side to their culture – it is so impressive!” stated jury member Mai Damgaard Rasmussen.
Local food taking the stage after a memorable gala night
Organised by IGCAT, the award ceremony was hosted with the support of Catalonia, World Region of Gastronomy 2025; the Government of Catalonia; Terres Travel Festival; the Municipality of Tortosa; Terres de l’Ebre Biosphere Reserve – Diputació de Tarragona; and Cantaires de l’Ebre – Club Universitari.
The event was joined by Councillor for Tourism, Sónia Ruperez, who warmly welcomed all international guests to Tortosa, including Insular Director of Tourism of Menorca, Begoña Mercadal, who collected the awards of Menorca’s short film Origin.
The gala night concluded on a delightful note with a tasting of local products from Terres de l’Ebre, prepared by Slow Food certified and member of the Terres de l’Ebre Biosphere Reserve Deltaic restaurant, in the enchanting surroundings of the Convent de Sant Joan in Tortosa.
IGCAT’s International Food Film Menu 2024
The International Food Film Menu 2024 is a collection of top-notch short films and videos that creatively depict food cultures from across the globe, raising awareness about the importance of cultural and food uniqueness for a more sustainable future.
IGCAT’s International Food Film Menu 2024 included 14 categories: World Region of Gastronomy; European Region of Gastronomy; Young Chef Ambassadors; Food and Craft Gifts; Feeding the Planet; Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship; Educating for Our Future; Balanced and Sustainable Tourism; Linking Urban and Rural; Health and Well-being; Environment and Sustainability; Culinary Journeys; Food Heritage and Traditions; Best Young Director.
A committee of international experts in the food, culture and film sectors shortlisted one winning short film in each category, which now form the Food Film Menu 2024, to be showcased in different international film festivals. Among the category winners, they chose 1st, 2nd and 3rd Prize.
The international jury included: Mai Damgaard Rasmussen (Denmark), Director of the FoodFilmFestival of Aarhus and Chair of the jury; Santi Valldepérez, Director of the Terres Travel Festival (Spain); Irene Giannakopoulos, Founder and President of Amorgos International Film Festival (Greece); Bilel Aboudi (Abu Dhabi), international expert and specialist in cultural policies for development, especially for MENA region; Yasmine Fofana, culinary content creator and founder of AfroFoodie (Côte d’Ivoire); and Francisco S. Guitard, audiovisual producer and innovative entrepreneur (Florida).
Following the announcement of the category winners, IGCAT opened an online public’s vote (7-14 September 2024) to select the Public’s Favourite Film.
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 Robert Oliver, chef, founder of Pacific Island Food Revolution, and official ambassador for the Food Film Menu, “film and video content are crucial for social impact. Visual media can engage and uplift communities by showcasing their people, culture, and especially their local cuisine. Food, inherently sensual and visually stunning, is particularly powerful on screen, enhancing emotional connections and communal spirit.”
To increase the visibility of the Food Film Menu, IGCAT collaborates with several international film festivals and cultural institutions including: the FoodFilmFestival in Aarhus (Denmark); Girona Film Festival (Spain); EATSA Art & Tourism Film Festival (Portugal); ART&TUR International Tourism Film Festival (Portugal); Amorgos Tourism Film Festival (Greece); Famtàstic · Evenings of Gastronomic Art (Spain); CINECLUB 262 – Cineciok Festival (Italy); Terres Travel Festival – Films & Creativity (Spain); Chania Film Festival (Greece); Festival TEF Krk (Croatia); and NNLE Youth Palace of Zugdidi Municipality (Georgia).
All category winners of the Food Film Menu 2024 are available here:
Watch the winners of the previous editions:
Food Film Menu 2023
Food Film Menu 2022
Food Film Menu 2021
Food Film Menu 2020
About the World/ European Region of Gastronomy Award
Candidate and awarded 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 ultimately they contribute to community health and well-being.
19 September 2024
