Apertura has officially opened submissions for the 2026 edition of the Apertura Awards, an initiative dedicated to “recognising excellence in cinematography and visual storytelling across Latin America”.
Organised by Apertura – the Mexico‑based nonprofit community of female cinematographers – the awards aim to celebrate outstanding achievements in fiction, documentary, television, short‑form and student filmmaking while fostering visibility, inclusion and artistic exchange within the cinematography community.
Submissions opened on 16 April and will remain open through 30 June. The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in November, in Mexico City.
The Apertura Awards were created as part of Apertura’s broader mission to “strengthen film education, mentorship and professional development opportunities for cinematographers and image‑makers throughout Mexico and Latin America”.
Since its founding in 2018, the organisation has hosted workshops, masterclasses, panels and networking initiatives reaching thousands of participants across the region.
While the initiative places a special emphasis on supporting women cinematographers and LGBTQI+ creatives, the awards also seek to “recognise and elevate the broader Latin American cinematography community, encouraging dialogue and collaboration across the industry”.
The 2026 edition includes the following categories:
Apertura Category (For women members of Apertura):
- Best Cinematography – Fiction Feature Film
- Best Cinematography – Documentary Feature Film
- Best Cinematography – Short Film (Fiction, documentary)
- Best Cinematography – Short-Pieces (Music videos, fashion film, commercials)
- Best Cinematography – Series Episode
General Category (For women and men non-members of Apertura):
- Best Cinematography – Fiction Feature Film
- Best Cinematography – Documentary Feature Film
- Best Cinematography – Short Film (Fiction, documentary)
- Best Cinematography – Short-Pieces (Music videos, fashion film, commercials)
- Best Cinematography – Series Episode
Student Category:
- Best Cinematography – Short Film (Fiction, documentary)
Previous editions and Apertura initiatives have featured collaborations with internationally cinematographers, producers and industry organisations, including Rodrigo Prieto ASC AMC, Tita Lombardo, Gonzalo Amat ASC and Gary Aldcock ASC, as well as members and representatives affiliated with the American Society of Cinematographers, Asociación Mexicana de Cinefotografía, Instituto Mexicano de Cinematografía, and multiple brands and associations.
More information is available on the Apertura website.
