On Tuesday, October 21st at 7:00 PM, the Cinema Without Borders Foundation will honor acclaimed filmmaker Rodrigo García with its prestigious Bridging the Borders Award, recognizing his lifetime achievements and his contributions to global cinema. Legendary filmmakers such as Andrzej Wajda and Asghar Farhadi have previously received this award, placing García in distinguished company. The celebration will be held at the Laemmle Royal Theater, 11523 Santa Monica Blvd, 1st Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90025.
The evening will begin with a special screening of García’s latest feature, The Follies, 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.
Following the screening, the Foundation will present García with the Bridging the Borders Award, a distinction that celebrates artists whose work transcends cultural and geographic boundaries.
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.
By drawing from his rich cultural heritage and personal history, García has carved a unique space in world cinema—bridging languages, traditions, and audiences through stories that touch the core of human experience. His works embody the essence of what the Bridging the Borders Award represents: the power of film to cross boundaries and connect people in their shared humanity.
The Cinema Without Borders Foundation is proud to celebrate Rodrigo García’s remarkable career and to present him with this honor in recognition of his enduring contributions to cinema and culture.
This is an invitation-only event. Those interested in attending should send their request by email to: CWBaward@yahoo.com or r.garcia.tribute@gmail.com.
