A Food and Love Story from Menorca, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2022 Wins Best European Film Overall at Food Film Menu 2021, organised by IGCAT in collaboration with the European and World Regions of Gastronomy Platforms.
Produced by Bendito Films for the Consell Insular de Menorca, this is the first gastronomic short film made in Menorca. The fictional story begins in the 1990s and follows a boy who dreams of becoming a chef. One summer, he befriends a foreign girl. When the holiday ends, she returns home. Years later, they meet again.
Recognition from Experts and the Public
An international jury first shortlisted the film in the Food-related Visitor Experiences or Food Gifts category. Later, it was selected as the Best European Film Overall through a public vote on IGCAT’s social media channels from 15–26 September 2021.
Jury member Hugo Alexandre Cruz praised it as:
“A brilliant short film, appealing to the senses and feelings. It is superbly written, shot and directed, with imagination and a creative approach. The technical quality of the image, sound, music, and dialogues is very good. Overall, a creative way of celebrating Menorca, its food, and its culinary tradition.”
Robert Palmer added:
“Inventive and touching, with an original story-line combining the love of food through the eyes of a child, and the love story they share years later.”
The winners were announced on 27 September 2021 at the EATSA Art and Tourism Film Festival in Peniche, Portugal, and livestreamed on YouTube.
Other Top European Films
2nd Place – Trondheim-Trøndelag – New Horisons
Trondheim-Trøndelag, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2022, shortlisted in the Food and Sustainability category. Alessio Cavicchi called it:
“An upbeat celebration of local producers who give chefs the best ingredients and helped the region earn its title.”
3rd Place – Savonian Secret #tastesavo
From Kuopio, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2020-21, winner of the Historical Food Routes category. Mariana Calaça Baptista described it as:
“A beautiful narrative with peaceful imagery. A rich representation of Kuopio’s historical food and farming traditions.”
Best Potential World Region of Gastronomy Film – Taste of Al-Hasa
From Saudi Arabia, Mai Damgaard Rasmussen praised it as:
“A brilliant audiovisual perfect for social media. It inspires viewers to meet the people, traditions, landscapes, and costumes of this wonderful region.”
About the Food Film Menu 2021
This edition included eight categories:
- European Regions of Gastronomy
- European Young Chefs
- Food-related Visitor Experiences or Food Gifts
- Historical Food Routes
- New Food Trends
- Environment and Food
- Food and Sustainability
- Candidate World Regions of Gastronomy (new in 2021)
International experts in food, culture, and film selected one winner in each category. These films will be showcased at international festivals.
Jury Members
The jury was chaired by Mai Damgaard Rasmussen, Director of the FoodFilmFestival in Aarhus (Denmark). Other members included:
- Dr. Diane Dodd, President of IGCAT (Spain)
- Robert Palmer, IGCAT Expert and cultural consultant (Scotland)
- Alessio Cavicchi, Professor at the University of Pisa (Italy)
- Mariana Calaça Baptista, heritage and tourism consultant (Portugal)
- Hugo Alexandre Cruz, photographer and director (Portugal)
- Lluís Valentí, Director of the Girona Film Festival (Spain)
- Oda Moen Tjørstad, Head of Programming at Kosmorama Trondheim International Film Festival (Norway)
About IGCAT’s International Food Film Menu
IGCAT’s Food Film Menu contributes to internationally promoting local food products, know-how, traditions and new trends related to gastronomy and crafts; encourages film directors to become ambassadors for their regions; and stimulates awareness of food and cultural diversity.
According to director Ljubomir Stefanov, official ambassador for the project:
“IGCAT’s Food Film Menu is a wonderful initiative that raises awareness about food’s vital role in local sustainable development.”
To increase the visibility of the Food Film Menu, IGCAT collaborates with several international film festivals and cultural institutions including: the FoodFilmFestival in Aarhus; Girona Film Festival; EATSA Art & Tourism Film Festival; ART&TUR International Tourism Film Festival; Amorgos Tourism Film Festival; Menorca International Film Festival; and NNLE Youth Palace of Zugdidi Municipality in Georgia.
All category winners of the Food Film Menu 2021 are available here 👉 Food Film Menu 2021
Watch the winners of the previous edition:
About the World/European Region of Gastronomy
Candidate and awarded Regions of Gastronomy from Europe, guided by IGCAT, are working together to raise awareness about the importance of their cultural and food uniqueness; stimulate creativity and gastronomic innovation; educate for better nutrition; improve sustainable tourism standards; highlight distinctive food cultures; and strengthen community 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.
