Crete – Sense the Authentic Taste, a short film that captures the aspirations of a young, innovative chef through the proud eyes of her mother, won the 1st Prize in IGCAT’s International Food Film Menu 2024 competition. The winner from Crete, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2026, was announced together with 2nd Prize, An Ode to West Jutland – Sander Mollerup; 3rd Prize, Discover the Magic of Thai Flavours; and the Public’s Favourite Film, Origin, at an award ceremony organised in the framework of Terres Travel Festival, on 19 September 2024.
International Food Film Menu 2024 Award Ceremony Highlights
Held at the stunning Cripta de la Reparació in Tortosa, as part of the 8th Terres Travel Festival, the International Food Film Menu 2024 Award Ceremony gathered over 40 international and local delegates. Representatives from IGCAT, the World Regions of Gastronomy Platform, and additional regions from around the world were present.
Celebrating Regional Gastronomy Through Film
In a delicious showcase of global cultures, all category winners of the Food Film Menu 2024 were celebrated. These short films brought vibrant colours and compelling flavours to the screen, spotlighting the diversity of regional gastronomy.
Top Prize Winners
1st Prize: Crete – Sense the Authentic Taste (Greece)
Shortlisted in the “Educating for Our Future” category, this film, directed by Thodoris Papadoulakis and produced by Indigo View for the Region of Crete, invites viewers to explore Crete’s taste map. Highlighting strong women and culinary innovation, it illustrates the island’s famed hospitality and diet associated with longevity.
“The storytelling focuses on the lineage of strong women and the culinary innovations of the daughter in Crete…” – Mai Damgaard Rasmussen
2nd Prize: An Ode to West Jutland – Sander Mollerup (Denmark)
Directed by Valentin Marcus Andersen for Business Region MidtVest, this film documents young chef Sander Mollerup’s journey through West Jutland. A sensory-rich depiction of his dish for the European Young Chef Award 2023.
“The film displays superb camera angles, colour grading and sound design…” – Bilel Aboudi
3rd Prize: Discover the Magic of Thai Flavours (Thailand)
Produced by Jutamas Jan Wisansing and directed by Kidsdakon Sukmool, this film explores regional Thai flavours. It emphasizes a chef’s commitment to nature and sustainability.
“Visually this film from Thailand is amazing and thought-provoking!” – Yasmine Fofana
Public Vote Winner: Origin (Menorca)
Directed by Jesús Sanjurjo and produced by Empatic Films, this story of Martina and her grandmother Candela won hearts in the “Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship” category and in the public vote.
“A great storyline about a young chef innovating traditional recipes…” – Mai Damgaard Rasmussen
A Gala to Remember
The event was organised by IGCAT, with the support of:
- Catalonia, World Region of Gastronomy 2025
- Government of Catalonia
- Terres Travel Festival
- Municipality of Tortosa
- Terres de l’Ebre Biosphere Reserve – Diputació de Tarragona
- Cantaires de l’Ebre – Club Universitari
Notable attendees included Councillor for Tourism, Sònia Ruperez and Insular Director of Tourism of Menorca, Begoña Mercadal.
The evening concluded with a tasting of local delicacies prepared by Deltaic Restaurant (certified by Slow Food), in the serene setting of the Convent de Sant Joan.
About the Food Film Menu 2024
he International Food Film Menu is a curated selection of short films from around the globe that showcase cultural and food uniqueness. With 14 award categories, the initiative aims to raise awareness for sustainable futures through gastronomy and storytelling.
Award Categories:
- Best Young Director
- World Region of Gastronomy
- European Region of Gastronomy
- Young Chef Ambassadors
- Food and Craft Gifts
- Feeding the Planet
- Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
- Educating for Our Future
- Balanced and Sustainable Tourism
- Linking Urban and Rural
- Health and Well-being
- Environment and Sustainability
- Culinary Journeys
- Food Heritage and Traditions
Jury Panel
An international panel of experts from food, film, and cultural sectors selected the winning films:
- Mai Damgaard Rasmussen (Denmark), Chair of the Jury
- Santi Valldepérez (Spain)
- Irene Giannakopoulos (Greece)
- Bilel Aboudi (UAE)
- Yasmine Fofana (Côte d’Ivoire)
- Francisco S. Guitard (USA)
Following the jury’s selection, the public voted online from 7-14 September 2024 to choose their favourite film.
Stay tuned for the next edition and join us in celebrating culinary heritage through the power of film.
About IGCAT’s International Food Film Menu
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.
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.”
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).
All category winners of the Food Film Menu 2024 are available here:
Watch the winners of the previous editions:
Food Film Menu 2023
Food Film Menu 2022
Food Film Menu 2021
Food Film Menu 2020
About the World/ European Region of Gastronomy Award
Candidate and awarded 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 ultimately they contribute to community health and well-being.
About IGCAT
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.
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 World/European Region of Gastronomy Award and is the official secretariat for the World/European Regions of Gastronomy Platforms. Furthermore, the Institute has developed the European Young Chef Award, the World Food Gift Challenge, the Top Websites for Foodie Travelers Award and the international Food Film Menu.
