Behind the Scenes: The Story of TJ Film Fest

2022 - 2023

Our story began in 2022. The dream became a reality with the first edition, coordinated by Diego Ramírez, Emilio Ávila, and Edgar Desfassiaux. Hundreds of parents, students, alumni, and filmmakers gathered at the Cineteca Nacional to witness the birth of this platform. That year’s lineup featured the showcase of Mr. Nobody, as well as the short films Cotard, Lázaro, and Paranoia. However, the big winner of the night was Alethea, directed by Mauro Fernández.

For the second year, the same group of students—Diego, Emilio, and Edgar—continued to lead the event’s organization, which moved to the Giant Screen at the Papalote Museum. It was an unforgettable evening in 2023, filled with remarkable stories. The audience enjoyed the showcase of Dos minutos de odio, along with screenings of Caleidoscopio, De mal en peor, and Amor Vitae Mae. The most exciting moment came when Quererte ver, directed by Karla Ríos, was announced as the recipient of the festival’s highest honor.

2024

The following year, in 2024, the responsibility of organizing the festival passed to Karla Ríos. That year marked an important strategic step as the team sought a permanent venue. As a result, Teatro Gran Recinto became the festival’s official home. The lineup included the showcase of Elipsis, followed by Dimitte Absentia, Mi futuro escritor, 17, and Lipstick on a Pig. At the end of the evening, the grand winner was Mosca, directed by Fernanda Lucero.

2025

By 2025, under the coordination of Alba Zamora, the festival showcased projects with exceptional visual and narrative ambition, including Café con leche, Alma Mía, Entre sueños, Muriéndome por hablar, Aftersun, Mediodía, Camino a la victoria, Anybody, and Where’d All the Time Go? After a difficult deliberation, the jury awarded the top prize to ¿Por qué?, directed by Carlos García.

2026

After a journey filled with learning and growth, we arrived at 2026 with a festival coordinated by Renée García and Aura Zavala. They set out to raise the festival’s artistic and storytelling standards even higher. To achieve this, they strengthened the student-led workshops, significantly elevating the quality of the productions. This year’s lineup featured the showcase of Argilla, as well as Obsesión, Archivo 333, 68, Reconóceme, Challenger, Noctívoro, Dakota, Las Voces, and Creep. Rising above an incredibly talented field of competitors, the grand winner of this edition was To the Boy I Lost, directed by Kiara Lozano.