10 · 18 · 26 James Gray Accepts the Artistic Excellence Award at the Screening of His Film PAPER TIGER Share with twitter Share with facebook Share with mail Copy to clipboard Gustavo R. Gallardo Director James Gray was honored with the Artistic Excellence Award at the 24th Morelia International Film Festival (FICM), before the screening of his latest film, Paper Tiger.“For finding an obsession in devastating abandonment and a home amid the uncertainty of the harshest streets. For teaching us to fight even when we can’t: thank you.” These were some of the words FICM President Alejandro Ramírez dedicated to the filmmaker as he presented the award alongside the festival’s vice president, Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas Batel, and founder and director Daniela Michel.“How am I supposed to take this home?!” James Gray said with a laugh, before expressing his gratitude and speaking about how moved he was by the recognition, which was presented to him following the screening of a tribute video featuring clips from his films: “Sometimes when you do this work, you wonder if it really means anything to anyone.”James Gray, who has written and directed films such as Two Lovers (2008), The Yards (2000), and Little Odessa (1994), presented his latest film, Paper Tiger, which tells the story of two brothers who find themselves entangled in something too good to be true as they make their way into the world of the Russian mafia.Paper Tiger had its world premiere at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival and stars Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, and Miles Teller.“In film school, directors would always present their films, and the ones who talked the most were the ones who made the worst ones. That’s true!” Gray joked.James Gray Unveils His FICM ArmchairAs is customary for special guests, the Morelia International Film Festival presented James Gray with a theater seat bearing his name before the screening of his film; the armchair will be located at Cinépolis Centro.“I’ll sit here and provide commentary on the film,” he said after thanking the FICM for the gesture.
