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Tribute to Bertha Navarro, an Essential Figure in Mexican National Cinematography

Omar Sosa

The 22nd Morelia International Film Festival (FICM) paid tribute to Bertha Navarro, Mexican producer and a Guest of Honor at this year's edition of FICM.

The event was attended by Daniela Michel, founder and director of the festival; Alejandro Ramírez, president of the festival; Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas Batel, vice-president; Marina Stavenhagen, coordinator of the II Lab for the Development of Film Projects by Indigenous and Afro-descendant Filmmakers of Latin America and incoming general director of the Cineteca Nacional; as well as Mexican filmmakers Simón Bross and Juan Efrén García.

The tribute began with the screening of an interview with Bertha Navarro discussing her career in the film industry. Navarro has been key in the development of Mexican and Latin American filmmaking and has promoted projects of high international impact. In addition to working with directors such as Paul Leduc, Nicolás Echeverría and Carlos Carrera, Navarro produced Guillermo del Toro's first film, Cronos (1992).

After the screening, Marina Stavenhagen dedicated a few words to a moved Navarro: “If there is one adjective that describes her, it is tireless; she is also a profoundly visionary woman." Stavenhagen thanked Navarro for her work promoting and educating new generations of filmmakers, always strengthening national cinematography.

“Your vision, Bertha, has served as a guide for so many of us. This festival, which has also been a home for Mexican cinema for many years, seems like the ideal space to honor and recognize you,” added Stavenhagen.

Festival directors also offered words to the producer. “You have been for many of us an example of consistency and perseverance,” said Cárdenas Batel, acknowledging Bertha's role in opening the doors of cinema to not only women but to all Mexicans. “Cinema owes you a great debt,” he added.

The microphone was handed to Alejandro Ramírez, who thanked Bertha Navarro for her presence at the festival. “What we want to recognize is not only your extraordinary career as a producer, but also what you have sown by supporting young talent,” said the FICM president before presenting her with the Ojo, the festival's award, in recognition of her career, her human qualities, and her contribution to international cinema.

“We ask our special guests to stay with us and, in that spirit, we ask them to unveil a special armchair with their name on it,” added Alejandro Ramírez. The second recognition was the unveiling of her armchair, which will remain at Cinépolis Morelia Centro, allowing Bertha Navarro to always be a part of the festival.

“I am so grateful for this festival. It is truly so important because it is where I see films the most, I see what is being made; it is a fundamental space, and films also grow in this space,” said Bertha Navarro, thanking the festival for its recognition and trajectory.

The audience's affection was felt with applause and became especially obvious when a young man shouted “We need you, Bertha!” at the end of the ceremony.