Mexico’s Morelia International Film Festival will run from 16 to 25 October, with Diego Luna, Nicolás Pereda and Rodrigo Plá among the filmmakers competing for its top Ojo Award. The programme highlights a strong year for Mexican cinema, including work by established figures, first-time directors and women filmmakers, while also reflecting the festival’s emphasis on diversity and inclusion.

Luna’s fifth feature as director, “Ashes”, premiered at Cannes and has been acquired by Netflix for Latin America, Spain and Portugal. The fiction competition includes 12 films, expanded from an intended eight after 68 submissions were judged particularly strong; overall, 96 feature-length and short films from 17 Mexican states will compete, with women directing 40% of the Official Selection.