The Guanajuato International Film Festival (GIFF) paid a moving posthumous tribute to Father Luis García Orso, SJ, renowned film critic and a key figure in the festival’s spirit, during the opening ceremony of its 28th edition at the historic Teatro Juárez in Guanajuato.
During the opening ceremony, Sara Hoch, executive director of GIFF, stated, ‘Father Orso’s cinematic vision was bold and intelligent. He showed a critical perspective reflecting his deep knowledge and appreciation for true art.’
Before a theater full of filmmakers, officials, and journalists, a video tribute to García Orso, who died in May 2025, was shown.
Father Luis García Orso distinguished himself through his pioneering approach as a film critic who explored cinema from a spiritual perspective. As a member of the Society of Jesus, he established himself as a leading authority on faith-based film analysis. He built a unique bridge between the seventh art and Ignatian spirituality, shaping discourse in this specialized field and bringing a deep and reflective gaze to film analysis.
García Orso developed a distinguished academic career as a professor at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City and at the Pontifical University, and was a key member of SIGNIS, the World Catholic Association for Communication. His influence in our Association transcended borders by serving as Ecclesiastical Assistant and participating as a juror in international festivals, including San Sebastian, Havana, Venice, among others.
His works include ‘Images of the Spirit in Film’, ‘Faithful Gazes in Contemporary Cinema’, and ‘Led by the Gaze’, exploring cinema and spirituality and establishing new paradigms in film criticism.
This posthumous recognition highlights García Orso’s impact on the festival and cinematic reflection. The tribute is part of GIFF’s 28th edition, taking place from July 25 to August 4, 2025, and featuring over 200 films from 61 countries.