ICAIC Opens Nominations for 24th National Film Award, Invites All Eligible Entities

Cuba’s Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry (ICAIC) formally called for nominations to the 24th National Film Award in a notice issued on February 18, 2026, opening the field to legally recognized creators’ organizations and provincial offices. "All entities, sections of legally recognized creators’ organizations in the country, and provincial offices are eligible to submit nominations," the announcement states, naming the types of bodies empowered to propose candidates for what ICAIC describes as the country’s principal prize for achievements in cinema.

Alexis Triana, identified in the notice as the institution’s president, framed the call as the start of a careful selection cycle and linked the nomination itself to professional recognition. "We expect a rigorous selection process; the nomination remains a recognition of what these individuals have meant to the Cuban film movement,” added Triana. ICAIC also set out the award’s remit: "ICAIC presents this award to outstanding filmmakers, actors, technicians, and screenwriters with distinguished professional careers to celebrate diversity across all disciplines within the sector."

The announcement sets the National Film Award ceremony for March 24th, adding that it will coincide with the Titon Award ceremony at the 1st Cuban National Film Showcase and Competition. "Given the current circumstances in the country, the National Film Award ceremony will take place on March 24th, coinciding with the Titon Award ceremony, which recognizes the best film of the year at the 1st Cuban National Film Showcase and Competition," the notice reads, linking the lifetime/contribution prize schedule to the new showcase’s competition program.

The ICAIC copy names recent recipients and ties them to current festival activity: "Last year, the renowned actress Mirta Ibarra received the award, and in 2024, it went to actor Jorge Perugorría; both are producers of the feature film \Neurotica Anonima\ (2025), currently one of the 10 Latin American films competing at the Malaga Film Festival in Spain." The document therefore places Mirta Ibarra and Jorge Perugorría among recent honorees and highlights Neurotica Anonima (2025) as an active Cuban production on the international festival circuit.

The announcement text as circulated contains editorial gaps that leave calendar references unclear and some copy truncated. The original release also includes the fragment "cultural instituti" where wording is cut off. The call as published does not specify a submission deadline, a named jury or selection timetable, nor whether the National Film Award is a single prize or comprises multiple category awards; those items remain to be confirmed with ICAIC.

The page carrying the notice includes file and footer identifiers for follow up: jdt/arc/vnl, and a contact block listing St. E No 454, Vedado, Habana, Cuba and Phones: (+53) 7 838 3496, (+53) 7 838 3497, (+53) 7 838 3498, (+53) 7 838 3499. The page footer also reproduces editorial lines and credits present on the notice, including "© 2016-2021 Prensa Latina," "Prensa Latina © 2021," "Web Site developed by IT Division Prensa Latina," and the SMS subscription prompt "| Text SMS to 8100 with content PL Receive 4 mesages x 25 cup.