It was screened in the Panorama section of the 65th Berlin International Film Festival[2] where it won the award for Best First Feature.

A panicked Arnulfo restrains the unconscious Hank and loads him into a secret compartment of his SUV, driving over the border into Mexico with him.

They are almost killed by the enforcers when they notice that a handcuffed American is in the car, but Hank is able to negotiate free passage by mentioning the names of several cartel members and assuring that he is doing business with them.

His uncle, furious because Arnulfo created trouble by bringing an American government employee to him, ignores his explanation.

[11] Ripstein dedicated the award to his son, "who will surely be the fourth generation of our family to make films because he loves it".

[12] About the process of receiving an Academy Award nomination, Ripstein said: "Much lobbying is required; unfortunately, film quality is not always decisive".

[14] According to Peter Debruge of Variety, "Ripstein allows long stretches to go by in near-silence, gradually letting the tension build as the SUV travels farther south, deeper into potentially dangerous territory".

[15] Andrew Pulver of The Guardian gave 600 Miles three stars out of five, praising Roth's performance and calling the film a "pretty enterprising movie, subtly constructing its power relationship while not losing its grip on the basic sense of tension".