Cuban Cinema Prize 2026 Awarded to Researcher Luciano Castillo

"It is the culmination of much effort in cinema and, in particular, the passion I feel for the presentation of film heritage," Luciano Castillo, the 2026 Cuban National Cinema Prize laureate, told Prensa Latina exclusively on Saturday.

The distinguished researcher and director of the Cuban Film Archive received the award during a ceremony held at the emblematic Yara cinema in Havana.

The honor, granted unanimously by a jury that evaluated his career in full, recognizes a life devoted to preserving the nation's cinematic memory. The ceremony took place in the context of celebrations marking the 67th anniversary of the Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry (Icaic).

Addressing those in attendance, 2025 National Cinema Prize laureate Mirtha Ibarra explained that Castillo's boundless dedication to the Film Archive had established him as one of the most important critics, historians, and advocates of Cuban cinema.

"Luciano understood that cinema was not only to be watched — it was to be shared," Ibarra stated, highlighting Castillo's role as a founder of film clubs, a cultural promoter in his native Camagüey, and his leadership of the Cuban Film Archive since 2014.

Speaking on behalf of the jury, Ibarra also underscored Castillo's contributions as a scriptwriter and host of distinctive programs on radio and television, as well as his prolific body of written work, which includes titles considered essential to the historiography of Cuban cinema.

"He taught us to look beyond the image. He has trained generations who, like him, believe that cinema is a tool for forging memory and critical thought. He has reminded us that saving one minute of film is an invaluable victory," the Cuban actress added.

During the same event, Castillo joined Mercy Ruiz, director of Icaic's publishing house Ediciones Icaic, to present a reprint of the book Aventuras de Juan Quinquín by filmmaker Julio García Espinosa, part of the Guion collection.

The ceremony also included the presentation of the Raúl Gómez García Distinguished Service Award to 11 outstanding workers with more than 20 years of service in the cultural sector, as well as the National Distinguished designation granted to the Artistic Creation and Communications divisions of the Cuban Film Institute.

The gala was attended by Minister of Culture Alpidio Alonso, Secretary General of the National Union of Cultural Workers Katia María Rodríguez, Icaic President Alexis Triana, and Deputy Head of the Ideological Department and member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba Elier Ramírez, among other prominent figures from the film and cultural sectors.

Celebrations marking the Icaic anniversary and the centenary of Julio García Espinosa are set to continue throughout the year with additional publications and events, including the launch of the book Tercer Mundo, Tercera Guerra Mundial, based on a documentary by the renowned filmmaker.