Director Lila Avilés
Tótem, the second feature film by director Lila Avilés (The Chambermaid), emerged as the big winner at the 66th edition of the Ariel Awards, presented by the Mexican Academy of Film Arts and Sciences. The film took home five statuettes—out of 15 nominations—including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Breakthrough Performance, and Best Supporting Actress.
Acclaimed at prestigious festivals such as Berlin, Telluride, San Sebastian, and BFI London, Tótem also received a Gotham Award nomination for Best International Feature. Set in a bustling Mexican household, the story follows seven-year-old Sol, who gets caught up in the whirlwind of preparations for her father Tona’s birthday party, led by her mother, aunts, and other relatives. As the day unfolds, building towards a bittersweet event, Sol gradually begins to understand the deeper significance of the celebration this year, a realization mirrored by her family.
Diego del Río’s All the Silence /Todo el silencio received four awards, including Best First Film, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Sound, while Tatiana Huezo’s The Echo / El eco claimed three Ariel Awards for Best Documentary, Best Cinematography, and Best Music.
Other winners include Elisa Miller’s Hurricane Season / Temporada de huracanes), which took home awards for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Editing, and David Zonana’s Heroic / Heroico, honored with Best Production Design and Best Costume. Luis Javier Henaine’s Disappear Completely / Desaparecer por completo won for Best Visual Effects and Best Special Effects. Noé Hernández was awarded the Ariel for Best Actor for his performance in Gerardo Naranjo’s Kokoloko.
Additionally, three Golden Ariels were presented to actress Angélica María, production designer Brigitte Broch, and the late filmmaker Busi Cortés, who passed away last month.
