Shiny Awards, LATAM

9th Jul 2026

VML Mexico City

SHINY’S FIRST LATIN AMERICAN AWARDS • LOS PRIMEROS SHINY AWARDS LATAM •

The first-ever Shiny Awards LATAM brought together directors, producers, agencies and creatives at VML LATAM in Mexico City to celebrate outstanding emerging directing talent from across Latin America.

Created to champion directors rooted in Latin American cultures, perspectives and storytelling, the inaugural awards showcased work from across the region while creating new connections with the global commercial production industry.

As with every Shiny event, diversity remained central, with at least 70% of the work screened coming from directors from under-represented backgrounds.

La primera edición de los Shiny Awards LATAM reunió en VML LATAM, Ciudad de México a directores, productores, agencias y creativos para celebrar el extraordinario talento emergente de la dirección en toda América Latina.

Creados para impulsar a directores cuyas historias, perspectivas y creatividad nacen de las culturas latinoamericanas, estos premios inaugurales mostraron trabajos destacados de toda la región y generaron nuevas conexiones con la industria publicitaria y de producción comercial a nivel internacional.

Como en todos los eventos de Shiny, la diversidad estuvo en el centro de la celebración: al menos el 70% de las obras proyectadas fueron dirigidas por cineastas pertenecientes a grupos históricamente subrepresentados en la industria.

WINNERS

☆

WINNERS ☆

FEÑA ACUÑA- 'Quinceañera'

PRIZES

Meeting with Violeta López Pacheco - Head of Production, VML Mexico

Sound design session with BDS Music

Grade sessions with Los de Post

"...This piece stands out for its originality in transforming a deeply rooted Mexican tradition into a sci-fi story about adolescence. With a robust visual approach, an impeccable 90s aesthetic, and a narrative that prioritizes cinematic language over dialogue, it achieves a memorable result that culminates in a deeply moving finale." Violeta López Pacheco - Head of Production, VML Mexico

POETA VISUAL, with WILLY HAJLI - BK 'Castelos & Ruínas'

PRIZES

Meeting with Alfredo 'El Fiero' Ramos - Group CD, VML Mexico,

Meeting with Thomas Amoedo, Managing Partner Landia

Grade session with Creative Outpost

"...Castles & Ruins is an audiovisual essay of extraordinary beauty. We were struck by its impeccable cinematography, the choice to shoot in black and white, and the way it constructs a deeply emotional narrative through images and symbols—demonstrating that a story can also be told through contemplation." — Alfredo 'El Fiero' Ramos - Group Creative Director, VML Mexico

APOLO BAUTISTA - Kuyayky 'The Water Song'

PRIZES

Meeting with Pablo Naval - Group CD, VML Mexico

Meeting with Thomas Amoedo, Managing Partner Landia

Worldwide representation with Directors Without Borders (c/o GPN)

"...What impressed me was how every shot feels like a living painting: highly controlled compositions, bodies integrated into the landscape, and powerful mise-en-scène. The intense color of the costumes contrasts with the scale and harshness of the location, yet not merely for decoration; it imbues the scene with life, identity, and a ritualistic dimension. Above all, there is a respectful relationship with the community: they do not appear as an exotic backdrop, but rather as the cultural and spiritual heart of the work." Pablo Naval - Group Creative Director, VML Mexico

SPONSORS • PATROCINADORES •

A huge thank you to VML LATAM for hosting our first Shiny Awards LATAM.

Thank you also to our judges, sponsors, and everyone who submitted their work. Your creativity, generosity and support made this inaugural event possible.

Annual sponsors / Patrocinadores Anuales