The Ariel Mexican Film Awards are presented annually by the Mexican Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMACC), and recognize the most outstanding Ibero-American film productions. This year, for the second consecutive year, the golden statuettes were awarded virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

The awards ceremony was broadcast on Canal 22 (Mexico) and on AMACC's Facebook page. The categories were for best direction, acting, production and audiovisual pieces, in addition to two special awards — the Golden Ariels — which are given in recognition of an individual's legacy.

Among the participants, the film Sin señas particulares won nine statuettes, including the most coveted categories such as Best Debut Film by director Fernanda Valadez, best direction and best film. On the other hand, the Chilean documentary film directed by Maite Alberdi, El agente topo (The Mole Agent), won the award for Best Ibero-American Film. While El baile de los 41 by Mexican director David Pablos, won two statuettes, for Best Costume Design and Best Art Design.

A Golden Ariel was awarded to Fernando Cámara, who remarked in his speech about the importance of the collaborative nature of the industry and the need for teamwork, from direction, production, microphones and sound.

"The industry was having areas of quality because each piece was committed; I believe that this Ariel represents the sum of all those stages," said Cámara.

The emotional note of the awards was present with the recognition “In Memoriam,” where a video was presented showing some of the Mexican film industry figures who are no longer with us. Some of the names mentioned were Libertad Leblanc, Alfonso Zayas, Lilia Aragón, José Ángel García, Flor Silvestre, Isela Vega, José Manuel Zamacona, among others.

The statuette represents, according to its creator (sculptor Ignacio Asúnsolo), a man taking flight and is, at the same time, a symbol of the idealistic spirit of our race and the yearning for the rise of Mexican cinema.