PRESS RELEASE Winners of IGCAT's Food Film Menu 2021 revealed 27 September 2021 A Love and Food Story - Best European Film Overall The short film A Food and Love Story from Menorca, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2022, was selected as Best European Film Overall of the Food Film Menu 2021, organised by IGCAT in collaboration with the European and World Regions of Gastronomy Platforms. Produced by Bendito Films for the Consell Insular de Menorca, A Food and Love Story is the first gastronomic short film made in Menorca. A fictional story that spans from the 90's to the present day, the film tells the 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. A Food and Love Story was shortlisted by an international jury of experts as the Best Food Film showcasing Food-related Visitor Experiences or Food Gifts from the Regions of Gastronomy. It was then selected out of 7 finalists as Best European Film Overall of the Food Film Menu 2021 through a people’s vote launched on social media by IGCAT on 15-26 September 2021. “A brilliant short film, appealing to the senses and feelings. It is superbly written, shot and directed, with imagination and a creative approach to the subject. The technical quality of the image, the sound, the music and the dialogues are very good. Overall, a creative way of celebrating Menorca, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2022, its food and its culinary tradition” affirmed jury member Hugo Alexandre Cruz at the first selection stage. “Inventive, touching, with an original story-line combining the love of food as seen through the eyes of a child sharing his passion with his friend, and the love they experience when meeting years later: a love story at different levels.” stated jury member Robert Palmer. The announcement of the Food Film Menu 2021 winners took place at EATSA Art and Tourism Film Festival, in Peniche (Portugal) on 27 September 2021 and was livestreamed on YouTube for the international audience. Trondheim-Trøndelag – New Horisons from Trondheim-Trøndelag, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2022, shortlisted in the Food and Sustainability category, was selected as 2nd Best European Film. “An upbeat celebration of the many local producers that have given chefs the best ingredients and arguably contributed to Trondheim-Trøndelag being awarded European Region of Gastronomy in 2022” commented jury member Alessio Cavicchi. 3rd Best European Film was awarded to Savonian Secret #tastesavo from Kuopio, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2020-21, winner of the Historical Food Routes category. “Savonian Secret #tastesavo is based on a beautiful narrative with images that transmit love and peacefulness about the region portrayed. It is a rich representation of the historical food and farming traditions of Kuopio, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2020-2021” explained jury member Mariana Calaça Baptista at the first selection stage. Finally, the prize for Best Potential World Region of Gastronomy Film went to Taste of Al-Hasa, from Saudi Arabia that jury member Mai Damgaard Rasmussen defined as a “brilliant audio-visual perfect for social media distribution that evokes a desire to meet the people, traditions, landscapes and costumes of this wonderful region.” IGCAT’s Food Film Menu 2021 included 8 categories: European Regions of Gastronomy; European Young Chefs; Food-related Visitor Experiences or Food Gifts from the Regions of Gastronomy; Historical Food Routes; New Food Trends; Environment and Food; Food and Sustainability; and, new to this year’s edition, a category devoted to Candidate World Regions of Gastronomy, that collected food stories coming from all continents. A committee of international experts in the food, culture and film sectors selected one winning short film in each category, which now form the Food Film Menu 2021, to be showcased in different international film festivals. Chaired by Mai Damgaard Rasmussen, Director of the FoodFilmFestival in Aarhus (Denmark), the jury included: Dr. Diane Dodd, President of IGCAT (Spain); Robert Palmer, IGCAT Expert and independent consultant in the cultural sector (Scotland); Alessio Cavicchi, IGCAT Expert and Professor in Agribusiness, Rural Development and Branding at the University of Pisa (Italy); Mariana Calaça Baptista, independent consultant in heritage, tourism, communication and culture (Portugal); Hugo Alexandre Cruz, photographer and director (Portugal); Lluís Valentí, Director of the Girona Film Festival (Spain); and Oda Moen Tjørstad, Head of Programming of Kosmorama Trondheim International Film Festival (Norway). 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 Visitor Experience Portal and the Food Film Menu. For more information contact info@igcat.org Trondheim-Trøndelag: New Horisons - 2nd Best European Film Savonian Secret #tastesavo - 3rd Best European Film Taste of Al-Hasa - Best Potential World Region of Gastronomy