The short films Welcome to the Farm – Les Cabres d’en Peyu from Catalonia, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2016, and Let’s Go to Aseer from Aseer, World Region of Gastronomy awarded 2024, were selected as Public’s Favourite European Film and Public’s Favourite World Film in the International Food Film Menu 2022. The competition was organised by IGCAT in collaboration with the European and World Regions of Gastronomy Platforms.
Directed by Karavan Films for Prodeca, Les Cabres d’en Peyu (Peyu’s Goats) is part of the Welcome to the Farm series of short videos about small producers in Catalonia who open their doors to visitors to share their work in the field, pasture, farm or workshop and to show how the food we eat is produced and reaches our tables.
Les Cabres d’en Peyu 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 10 finalists as the Public’s Favourite Film from the Awarded European Regions of Gastronomy of the Food Film Menu 2022 through a people’s vote launched on social media by IGCAT on 26-30 September 2022.
“Welcome to the Farm / Les Cabres d’en Peyu is a video that stands out because these two young farmers started the farm from zero (not having inherited the farm but rather making a lifestyle choice). It is also about quality and environmentally friendly production and tells about how natural farming can have other benefits, such as, when the goats clear forests and help prevent forest fires or, how local products contribute to circular economies. The filming was good with a very focused story. The editing is excellent with interesting glitchy overlays,” affirmed jury member Raúl Torres at the first selection stage.
Public’s Favourite World Film
Created by Nora Al Rayes Production, Let’s Go to Aseer highlights Aseer’s beautiful nature, magical culture, and generous people. Shortlisted as the Best Food Film showcasing a Nominated, Candidate, or Awarded World Region of Gastronomy from the MENA Region, it was later chosen by the public as their favourite in this category.
Jury member Robert Ngoun commented:
“Let’s Go To Aseer is a fast-moving, contemporary promotion of ancestral cuisine and culture. The uplifting production combines beautiful images, dancing, and harmonies to showcase gastronomy, nature, and cultural life. Tradition and modernity come together to create a happy vibe for the audience.”
The announcement of the winners took place during the 9th Annual IGCAT Experts Meeting on Engaging Young Minds on 20 October 2022.
2nd and 3rd Public’s Favourite European Films
2nd Place: Lakani from South Aegean, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2019. This film, in the European Young Chefs category, shows the passing of knowledge between generations. Mai Damgaard Rasmussen praised its cinematography, colour grading, and connection between tradition and modern life.
“Lakani features the passing of knowledge from one generation to another. The overall cinematography is impeccable and colour grading amazing. The story shows the connection between food and nature, and tradition into modern life, bringing in not just the old recipes, but the whole tools, smells and senses that go into a whole new creation,” – Mai Damgaard Rasmussen, jury member .
3rd Place: A Million Food Stories – Honey from Coimbra Region, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2021-22. This documentary highlights the importance of bees, the role of cooperatives, and the region’s gastronomic scene.
“A Million Food Stories – Honey is an excellently filmed documentary that relates the importance of bees and honey. It also explains the role of a cooperative in supporting bee farmers, providing science, research and sustaining quality expected from the geographical indicator label. It then links to the gastronomic scene in Coimbra Region as European Region of Gastronomy 2021-2022, and shows a Chef Ambassador for the region demonstrating the versatility of honey and honey-related products such as pollen. Very good lighting on interview shots and beautiful product shots” – Diane Dodd, Jury Member.
2nd and 3rd Public’s Favourite World Films
2nd Place: The Kingdom of Milk and the Sun from Zugdidi-Samegrelo, Nominated World Region of Gastronomy 2025 (Georgia). Directed by Saba Janjghava, it blends home video style with professional footage to share culinary traditions. It was shortlisted by the jury as Best Food Film showcasing a Nominated, Candidate or Awarded World Region of Gastronomy from Caucasus.
“The Kingdom of Milk and the Sun tries to evoke home video footage with professional film footage to deliver memories and emotions from a journey into Zugdidi-Samegrelo, nominated candidate World Region of Gastronomy 2025. The latter part of the film shows how the visitors take part in the preparation of appealing traditional and natural food from the region. In my opinion, the colours and lighting of this exotic cuisine are very good and appetising. Worthy of a prize!” – Lluis Valentí, jury member .
3rd Place: SSaimaa European Region of Gastronomy Candidate 2024 – Jury Visit – Part 2 from Saimaa, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2024. This film, created by Säynevirta Photography, captures the pristine landscapes and food traditions of Saimaa during the jury visit.
“This film is the 2nd part from a trilogy that demonstrates the multiple stakeholders involved in developing a bid for Saimaa, European Region of Gastronomy 2024 Award. The trilogy represents the natural, cultural and gastronomical assets of the aspiring region. This 2nd part has the most beautiful camera angles, movements and shots that provide a wonderful image of the beautiful region. Exceptional given this was shot live (i.e. is not staged). The food shots in particular are excellent and the colour grading is spectacular throughout. Light, welcoming, friendly and beautiful surroundings” – Robert Ngoun, Jury Member.
Categories for 2022
The competition included ten categories:
- European Regions of Gastronomy;
- European Young Chefs;
- Food-related Visitor Experiences from the Regions of Gastronomy;
- Food Gifts from the Regions of Gastronomy;
- New Food Trends;
- Environment, Sustainability and Food;
- Young Farmers and Fishermen;
- Nominated, Candidate or Awarded World Regions of Gastronomy from the MENA Region; from Caucasus; from Europe.
Selection and Awards
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 2022, to be showcased in different international film festivals.
Chaired by Mai Damgaard Rasmussen, Director of the FoodFilmFestival in Aarhus (Denmark), the jury included: Lluís Valentí, Director of the Girona Film Festival (Spain); Diane Dodd PhD, President of IGCAT (UK); Robert Ngoun, Performing Arts expert and CEO of Beutara (Cameroon/France); Lina Al-Khaled, Tourism expert (Jordan); and Raúl Torres, Communications Manager and Digital Content Creator at IGCAT (Colombia).
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).
Watch the winners of the previous editions:
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.
