[2][3] On November 19, 2024, Virtuosos Award was announced for Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain), Harris Dickinson (Babygirl), Karla Sofía Gascón and Selena Gomez (Emilia Pérez), Ariana Grande (Wicked), Clarence Maclin (Sing Sing), Mikey Madison (Anora) and John Magaro (September 5)[4] It opened with Jane Austen Wrecked My Life a French and English-language romantic comedy French film by Laura Piani.

[5] It closed on February 15, with A Missing Part (Une part manquante) a Belgian-French drama film by Guillaume Senez, story of a French taxi driver in Tokyo, who lost custody of his half-Japanese daughter after a divorce.

Out of Plain Sight, a documentary film directed by Daniel Straub, Rosanna Xia, unveiling the hidden environmental catastrophe just beyond Southern California's shores, won 'The Audience Choice Award'.

The event also includes tributes to the year's leading talents, panel discussions, and free educational and community outreach programs.

The award-winning films were announced at a ceremony hosted by El Encanto, with the Jury and Filmmakers in attendance.