Puerto Vallarta Will Shine With The 67th Ariel Awards.

For the third consecutive time, the state of Jalisco will become the epicenter of national cinema with the announcement that Puerto Vallarta will host the 67th edition of the Ariel Awards, the highest honor in Mexican cinema. The ceremony will be held on September 20, 2025, and promises to be an event with a significant cultural, tourist, and media impact.

The official announcement was made during the Guadalajara International Film Festival (FICG), an event that, more than just a showcase, has become a solid platform for promoting the country's film industry. With Michelle Fridman Hirsch, Secretary of Tourism for the State of Jalisco, in attendance, the state's commitment to cinema was reaffirmed with enthusiasm and a vision for the future.

From the heart of the festival, Fridman Hirsch highlighted the importance of Puerto Vallarta not only as a tourist destination, but as a place that has breathed cinema since its origins. It was there that unforgettable classics were filmed and international stars found inspiration. Therefore, the choice of venue is not accidental, but symbolic and strategic: “The Ariel Awards invite us to reflect on the origins of Puerto Vallarta and its historic relationship with the big screen,” said the official.

The Jalisco Ministry of Tourism will invest more than 10 million pesos in the production of this event, which will bring together 800 guests, including filmmakers, media representatives, actors, actresses, producers, and key figures in the national film industry. It is a platform that goes beyond the awards ceremony and is projected as a breeding ground for partnerships and new productions.

An estimated 80 producers with projects in development will be present at the gala, positioning Puerto Vallarta as a key destination for filming in Mexico. The natural beauty of the Jalisco coast, combined with the state's cultural and logistical infrastructure, makes it an irresistible offer for the industry.

The ceremony will also feature a first-rate media audience. Influencers and talents with a combined audience of over 50 million followers will help amplify the event's impact on social media, reaching both national and international audiences.

During the conference, Armando Casas Pérez, president of the Mexican Academy of Film Arts and Sciences, highlighted Jalisco's film history and announced that this year's Golden Ariel will be awarded to three iconic figures: actresses Patricia Reyes Espíndola and Jacqueline Andere, as well as the Union of Film Projection Workers, thus recognizing the roots, perseverance, and talent that have built the history of Mexican cinema.

But the excitement did not end there. Michelle Fridman also announced the creation of a new award: the Firma Award, which will begin to be presented in 2026. This distinction takes up the vision of the “Made in Jalisco Award” created in 2021, but enhances it with a cash prize of 70,000 pesos for the best feature film and 30,000 for the best short film, consolidating the state's commitment to cinema as a cultural and economic driver.

This initiative, in partnership with the Guadalajara International Film Festival, reinforces the public program to support local production. The Jalisco State Film Commission continues to consolidate the state as a beacon for emerging filmmakers and established professionals.

Estrella Araiza Briseño, director of the FICG, highlighted the leading role that Jalisco cinema plays in the Latin American scene and celebrated the strengthening of public policies that allow local talent not only to emerge but also to remain and grow. Erika Alejandra Tavares López, director of Firma, added that Jalisco has become a creative oasis for the industry, sparking the interest of numerous national and international producers.

The current edition of the FICG is a testament to this vitality: three short films supported by the local incentive program and eight feature films in competition—most of them financed by Cash Rebate funds and other state aid—show that cinema in Jalisco is not a promise: it is a living and expanding reality.

With this announcement, Puerto Vallarta is preparing to welcome the best of Mexican cinema. The city that once captivated John Huston and Elizabeth Taylor is now getting ready to witness another memorable story. A story of talent, collective effort, and love for the art of storytelling through images.