Puerto Aventuras, Mexico – The 2nd Annual Puerto Aventuras International Film Festival (PAIFF) concluded its vibrant five-day celebration with a magical closing night awards ceremony, honoring 65 standout projects from around the world. Held in the heart of the Riviera Maya, this year’s edition drew filmmakers and attendees from 30 countries, creating a global hub for cinematic storytelling, cultural dialogue, and creative exchange.
From beachside screenings and engaging panel discussions to a powerful keynote address by visionary architect Roman Rivera Torres, PAIFF 2025 was defined by its dynamic programming and palpable sense of community. This year’s competition included 134 submissions, with 76 films officially selected and 26 filmmakers taking home top honors across feature films, shorts, documentaries, experimental works, and music videos.
“This year’s festival was not just a showcase of international cinema,” said festival co-founder Dewey Paul Moffitt. “It was a living, breathing conversation about identity, justice, heritage, and imagination. We’re deeply proud to celebrate both returning visionaries and emerging voices whose work pushed creative boundaries.”
One of the festival’s most resonant moments came with the screening of Vocas de la Selva Maya: Una batalla por la vida, a powerful documentary short presented by Greenpeace and co-directed by Benjamin Soto and Carlos Samayoa. The film earned two awards, including Best Documentary Short and Best Cultural Film, for its urgent and heartfelt portrayal of the Indigenous Mayan communities of the Yucatán and their fight to protect sacred lands, biodiversity, and ancestral ways of life.
“By amplifying Indigenous voices and championing cultural preservation, films like Vocas de la Selva Maya remind us of the essential connection between storytelling and stewardship,” said Moffitt. “Honoring the wisdom, resilience, and creativity of the local Mayan community is central to our mission, and we’re proud to be a platform for their stories.”
Award Highlights:
– Best Feature Film: Sahara: End of Trip (Spain), directed by Antonio Rodriguez Cabal.
– Best Documentary Feature: The Power of One (Colombia/USA), directed by Alex Valdez &Pablo De la Fuente.
– Best Short Film: Nothing (USA), directed by Tom Miller & Alex Davidowski.
– Audience Choice Award: Historias del Canal (Panama), directed by a collective of Panamanian filmmakers.
– Best Screenplay: Monarch, written by Mauricio Herrera Manzur.
Closing festivities at Dreams Resort Aventuras brought filmmakers and audiences together for a night of dancing, storytelling, and reflection under the stars. Looking ahead, PAIFF has announced that submissions for Season 3 will open on May 1, 2025, and that Lifetime VIP Passes will soon be available.
“After two consecutive years of growth for this festival, I am confident that our forward momentum will give the community of Puerto Aventuras the global recognition it deserves,” added Moffitt.
For a complete list of winners or to learn more about the Puerto Aventuras International Film Festival, please visit www.pafilmfestival.com.
About PAIFF:
The Puerto Aventuras International Film Festival is an IMDb-qualifying festival dedicated to celebrating independent voices in one of Mexico’s most beautiful marina beachside communities. PAIFF values transparency in film selection and marketing, offering filmmakers a collaborative and authentic path to global recognition. With a strong commitment to cultural inclusion, environmental consciousness, and artistic excellence, PAIFF stands as a beacon for storytellers from around the world — and especially for those whose voices are rooted in the land, language, and legacy of the Yucatán.
Discover more from Riviera Maya News & Events
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.