On Tuesday, October 21, at 7:00 PM, the Cinema Without Borders Foundation honored acclaimed filmmaker Rodrigo García with its prestigious Bridging the Borders Award, recognizing his lifetime achievements and contributions to global cinema, at the beautiful Laemmle Royal Theatre in Santa Monica.
The Bridging the Borders Award—previously bestowed on legendary filmmakers such as Andrzej Wajda and Asghar Farhadi—places García in distinguished company.
Before a packed audience of film industry professionals, Bijan Tehrani, President and Founder of Cinema Without Borders, welcomed the attendees:
After Bijan’s introduction, The Follies — the latest film by Rodrigo García — was screened. The Follies, is a film that has already been praised for its lyrical storytelling and emotional resonance. With The Follies, García once again demonstrates his gift for weaving together deeply human narratives with sensitivity and grace. The film, meditative in tone yet vivid in character detail, has been described as both intimate and universal—a testament to García’s ability to transform the ordinary struggles of life into cinema that lingers in the memory.
The Follies received with great enthusiasm. The audience responded with prolonged applause at the end, expressing their deep appreciation for the film.
After the screening of The Follies, Susan Morgan Cooper — a pioneering documentary filmmaker and member of the Board of Directors of the Cinema Without Borders Foundation — took the stage to announce Rodrigo García as the recipient of the Bridging the Borders Lifetime Achievement Award:
After the award announcement, Susan Morgan Cooper invited Bijan Tehrani and Rodrigo García to the stage. Bijan, on behalf of the Cinema Without Borders Foundation, presented the Bridging the Borders Award to Rodrigo García, who then delivered his acceptance speech:
About Rodrigo Garcia:
Rodrigo García’s career reflects this spirit. His films—such as Nine Lives (2005), Mother and Child (2009), Albert Nobbs (2011), and Last Days in the Desert (2015)—have consistently offered audiences layered portraits of humanity. Known for his exceptional ability to elicit memorable performances, García has directed actors such as Glenn Close, Naomi Watts, Annette Bening, Ewan McGregor, and Robin Wright, creating works of lasting resonance. His style is defined by a quiet but powerful emotional intensity, grounded in character and carried by an uncommon empathy.
García has also left a mark on the golden age of television, directing episodes of groundbreaking series including The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Carnivàle, and Big Love. His influence spans across mediums, reaffirming his place as a master storyteller with a rare versatility.
The admiration for Rodrigo García extends well beyond Hollywood. Asghar Farhadi, the two-time Academy Award–winning Iranian filmmaker, has openly expressed his deep respect for García’s work. Before making his Oscar winning feature A Separation , Farhadi asked his actors to watch García’s Nine Lives as a source of inspiration for its nuanced, interconnected character portrayals. Currently filming his latest project in France, Farhadi has sent a heartfelt message of congratulations to Rodrigo García for receiving the Bridging the Borders Award, underlining the global impact of García’s artistry.
Rodrigo García is also the son of legendary Colombian Nobel laureate Gabriel García Márquez. Beyond his filmmaking, he has honored his parents’ legacy through literature with A Farewell to Gabo and Mercedes: A Son’s Memoir of Gabriel García Márquez and Mercedes Barcha. The book provides a moving and intimate glimpse into the lives of his parents, while also illuminating how their values and sensibilities continue to shape his vision as an artist.
On behalf of the Cinema Without Borders Foundation, I would like to thank Laemmle Theatres for partnering with us on this event. Special thanks to Isaac Wade, General Manager of the Laemmle Royal Theatre, for his invaluable help in ensuring everything ran smoothly.
I would also like to thank Fariborz Yousefi, a Los Angeles cultural activist, for his efforts in promoting the event, as well as Sam Tehrani and Grant Goodkind for capturing the evening through their excellent video and photography work.
This event would not have been possible without the generous financial support of Keely Badger, Susan Morgan Cooper, and Chale Nafus — all members of the Cinema Without Borders Foundation’s Board of Directors.
And of course, a heartfelt thank you to Rodrigo García for honoring us with his presence and for accepting our award.
Bijan Tehrani
