In a notable departure from tradition, the Icaro International Film Festival held a special ceremony at the National Palace of Culture in the capital. Elias Jimenez, the Festival’s Executive Director, revealed that the event, typically reserved for the festival’s conclusion, was moved forward for a significant purpose. The decision was influenced by the presence of delegates from the Federation of Latin American Schools of Image and Sound (FEISAL), who are currently in the country. During the ceremony, the prestigious Icaro of Honor was awarded to ‘The Utopia of the Eye and the Ear,’ a pioneering school originally led by the renowned Fernando Birri. Jimenez emphasized the profound impact of the International School of Cinema and Television (EICTV) in San Antonio de los Banos, which has been instrumental in nurturing filmmakers across Latin America through its comprehensive programs and workshops. He also highlighted the visionary role of Colombian literary giant Gabriel Garcia Marquez, whose ideas have significantly contributed to the growth and dissemination of cinema in the region. The Icaro International Film Festival continues to serve as a global platform, celebrating the artistic achievements of audiovisual creators from Guatemala, Latin America, and beyond.