The Mente Film Award
2026 · Founding Edition
A celebration of storytelling, creativity, and the moments that inspire us.
THE 2026 THEME
PRESENCE
The art of being fully here.
For the Founding Edition, filmmakers are invited to explore the meaning of presence through their own unique perspective. We encourage stories that capture the moments that shape life, maybe these are moments of stillness, maybe they are moments of connection, transformation, memory, or home and so on. Through film, we invite creators to reflect on the beauty of slowing down, noticing what often goes unseen, and honoring the experiences that leave a lasting impression.
THE PROCESS
01 Inspiration
A Mente candle serves as the beginning of the creative process.
02 Creation
Filmmakers translate scent, emotion, and or experience into an original short film maximum 15 minutes in length.
03 Recognition
Selected works are honored during an intimate evening celebrating cinema and the unveiling of Mente's newest collection.
THE DISTINCTION
The Mente Film Award
The recipient of the Founding Edition will be honored as the first filmmaker to receive the Mente Film Award, an acknowledgment of creative vision, storytelling, and the ability to transform meaningful moments into lasting impressions. The recipient will receive:
-
The 2026 Mente Film Award
-
A distinguished recognition presented to the inaugural award recipient.
-
An Artistic Award of $500
-
A contribution honoring the filmmaker’s creative work and dedication.
-
A Premiere Screening
-
The opportunity to have their film presented during the annual Mente gathering, where cinema, fragrance, and storytelling converge.
-
A Place Within the Mente Archive
-
A lasting contribution to the first chapter of an evolving tradition celebrating the intersection of art, memory, and human experience.
THE EVENING
A private gathering where cinema, fragrance, and reflection converge. Created as a celebration of artistry and connection, the evening will bring together filmmakers, creatives, and guests for an intimate experience honoring the stories that inspire us.
The evening will include:
-
Selected Film Screenings (A curated presentation of works chosen from the Founding Edition)
-
Recognition of Filmmakers (A celebration of the creators whose visions bring the Mente Film Award to life)
-
The Presentation of the 2026 Mente Film Award (The announcement and honoring of the first recipient of this new tradition)
-
The Unveiling of Mente’s Newest Collection (A first glimpse into the next chapter of Mente, revealed through scent, storytelling, and experience)
THE ARCHIVE
The 2026 Founding Edition marks the first entry in the Mente Film Award archive, a collection of stories, perspectives, and creative expressions preserved as part of Mente's evolving history. With each edition, the archive will continue to grow, honoring filmmakers and celebrating the enduring relationship between scent, memory, and art. Each film becomes a reflection of a moment in time, a story preserved for generations to come.