 | PRESS RELEASE
|  | | Do you have a compelling food story to tell? IGCAT (International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts, and Tourism) invites filmmakers from around the world to submit their short films for the Food Film Menu 2025, an international competition celebrating the rich diversity of food cultures, traditions, and regional gastronomic heritage.
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Each year, the Food Film Menu showcases up to 14 outstanding winning short films that capture the deep connections between food, heritage, and local identity. These films serve as a powerful medium to highlight the importance of preserving food traditions, promoting sustainability, and fostering a greater appreciation of regional gastronomy.
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Submissions are open to all filmmakers, from professionals to enthusiasts, who can creatively convey the stories of food producers, culinary traditions, sustainable practices, and the cultural significance of food. The selected films will receive international recognition and will be promoted across IGCAT’s website, social media channels, and global partner networks, as well as featured in international film festivals.
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Why Participate?By taking part in the Food Film Menu 2025, filmmakers contribute to the global movement of raising awareness about the value of food heritage and sustainability. Winning films will not only be showcased internationally but will also enter a social media vote, where audiences worldwide will select the Public’s Favourite Film.
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Themes and CategoriesThe competition is open to a wide range of food-related themes, including but not limited to:
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- Regenerative Pathways – Encouraging sustainable and locally rooted tourism practices. Category partner: Regenerative Vanua
- Feeding the Planet – Exploring food origins, biodiversity, and food security. Category partner: Slow Food
- Educating for Our Future – Highlighting the importance of food education and sustainable consumption. Category partner: Future Food Institute
- Culinary Journeys – Showcasing local cuisines and traditions through immersive storytelling.
- Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship – Celebrating new and inspiring food-related businesses and initiatives.
- Food Heritage and Traditions – Capturing the historical and cultural significance of regional gastronomy.
- Young Director Award – Recognizing emerging filmmakers aged 18-35 who bring fresh perspectives to food storytelling.
- Others.
How to Submit Your Film- Deadline: 27 June 2025
- Films should be no longer than 5 minutes in duration.
- All languages are accepted, but films must include English subtitles.
Short films should either be submitted:
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Join a Global Celebration of Food Culture| By submitting to the Food Film Menu 2025, filmmakers join a vibrant international network of creatives passionate about food and culture. Together, through storytelling, we can inspire change, celebrate food diversity, and promote sustainable and ethical food practices. |
| For full submission details, guidelines, and to enter your film, check the open-call. |
Let’s celebrate the power of food storytelling—one film at a time!
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About IGCAT’s International Food Film Menu
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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.
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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.”
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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).
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| Watch the winners of the previous editions: |
IGCAT aims to empower local communities by raising awareness of the importance of protecting and promoting distinct regional food, culture, arts and natural assets as part of sustainable and balanced tourism and development strategies. This is essential to safeguarding our planet, health, wellness and local economies.
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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 specialized intergovernmental organisations.
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