Perhaps the most astonishing characteristic of the Mexican filmmakers since the turn of the century is that their films appear to merge art house style with box office success effortlessly. Audiences and film critics praise films such as The Shape of Water, Babel, The Revenant, Birdman, Gravity, Pan’s Labyrinth, The Tree of Life, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Irishman, and Roma.
A who’s who of Mexican-born directors, scriptwriters and actors have made a name for themselves on screens worldwide since 2001. Many critics argue directors Alfonso Cuarón, Alejandro González Iñárritu, and Guillermo del Toro (referred to as the “Three Amigos of Cinema”), together with cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki (often regarded as the greatest directors of photography of all time) deserve the screen credit for Mexican cinema's rebirth. All three directors have won both the Academy Award and the Golden Globe for Best Director, and Lubezki won both prizes for Best Cinematography for three consecutive years.
And, they’re all products of Mexican film schools.
The Irishman producer Gaston Pavlovich has evolved into one of the leading producers in the world. He and his Mexico City-based production company Fabrica de Cine continue to sign development and production deals in Hollywood. Actors such as Salma Hayek, Gael Garcia Bernal (The Motorcycle Diaries, Babel) and Diego Luna (Milk) have also achieved success in both Spanish-language cinema and Hollywood.
Production volume has increased, and historically high levels of funding afford Mexican films a much stronger presence at top-tier film festivals and in the international marketplace. This significantly influences exponentially more opportunities today for both emerging and established crossover talents from Mexico.
According to the United Nations, Mexico has the most significant creative industry in Latin America. It has the world’s fourth-largest film and television industry behind the United States, China, and India.
More than 280 Mexican production companies have sprung up during the last decade, with groups working on a mix of domestic and foreign films.
Although the United States, with its substantial Hispanic population, is still the primary market for Mexican cinema, the Mexican brand is increasingly popular in European countries such as France, Germany, and the UK.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on the film industry, mirroring its implications across all arts sectors. Across Mexico and the world, cinemas and movie theaters have been closed, festivals have been canceled or postponed, and film releases have been moved to future dates or delayed indefinitely. As cinemas and movie theaters closed, many industry experts predict the global box office could lose $5 Billion USD as a result of the pandemic.
“We represent the next generation of Mexican filmmakers, following in the footsteps of some of the most innovative, compelling storytellers in the business. We’re the ones that will build on their legacy,” said Romina Díaz, an animation and digital art design major at Monterrey Institute of Technology and a student of Aguilar’s special 3D animation project.
Alfonso Cuarón | Roma (2018) -Nominated
Guillermo del Toro | The Shape of Water (2017) -WON
Alejandro Gonzaléz Iñarritu | The Revenant (2015) -Nominated
Alejandro Gozaléz Iñarritu | Birdman (2014) -WON
Alfonso Cuarón | Gravity (2013) -Nominated
Alejandro Gonzaléz Iñarritu | Babel (2006) -Nominated
Alfonso Cuarón | Roma (2018) -WON
Alejandro Gonzaléz Iñarritu | Biutiful (2010) -Nominated
Guillermo del Toro | Pan's Labyrinth (2006) -Nominated
Carlos Carrera | The Crime of Father Amaro (2002) -Nominated
Alejandro Gonzaléz Iñarritu | Love´s a Bitch (2000) -Nominated
Alfonso Cuarón | Roma (2018) -WON
Guillermo del Toro | The Shape of Water (2017) -WON
Alejandro Gonzaléz Iñarritu | The Revenant (2015) -WON
Alejandro Gonzaléz Iñarritu | Birdman (2014) -WON
Alfonso Cuarón | Gravity (2013) -WON
Alejandro Gonzaléz Iñarritu | Babel (2006) -Nominated
Rodrigo Prieto | The Irishman (2019) -Nominated
Alfonso Cuarón | Roma (2018) -WON
Rodrigo Prieto | Silence (2016) -Nominated
Emmanuel Lubezki | The Revenant (2015) -WON
Emmanuel Lubezki | Birdman (2014) -WON
Emmanuel Lubezki | Gravity (2013) -WON
Emmanuel Lubezki | The Tree of Life (2011) -Nominated
Guillermo Navarro | Pan's Labyrinth (2006) -WON
Emmanuel Lubezki | Children of Men (2006) -Nominated
Rodrigo Prieto | Brokeback Mountain (2005) -Nominated
Eugenio Caballero y Martha Enríquez | Roma (2018) -Nominated
Eugenio Caballero | Pan's Labyrinth (2006) -WON
Felipe Fernandéz Del Paso y Hania Robledo | Frida (2002) -Nominated
Brigitte Broche | Moulain Rouge (2001) -WON
Alfonso Cuarón | Children of Men (2006) -Nominated
Alfonso Cuarón | Roma (2018) -Nominated
Guillermo del Toro | The Shape of Water (2017) -Nominated
Alejandro Gonzaléz Ilarritu | Birdman (2014) -WON
Guillermo del Toro | Pan's Labryrinth (2006) -Nominated
Guillermo Arriaga | Babel (2006) -Nominated
Alfonso Cuarón y Carlos Cuarón | And Your Mother Too (2002) -Nominated
Alfonso Cuarón | Gravity (2013) -Nominated
Alfonso Cuarón | Children of Men (2006) -Nominated
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