Guillermo del Toro proudly showcased his Mexican roots during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. The Oscar-winning filmmaker not only participated in a special screening but also performed live with a mariachi band, adding a festive touch to the event.
A Night of Music, Film, and Tradition
On January 26, Netflix hosted an exclusive evening featuring a screening of Cronos, del Toro’s first feature film from 1992. After the screening, the director energized the crowd by joining a mariachi band, singing seven songs including México Querido y Lindo and Ritchie Valens’s beloved classic La Bamba. Del Toro’s spirited performance transformed the event into a lively celebration of culture and cinema.
Del Toro also embraced his heritage in the kitchen, where he was seen helping prepare tortillas for attendees, using a tortilla press with evident joy to make tacos for guests. The audience included notable figures such as The Daniels, Jonathan Wang, Janet Yang, Jamie Patricof, Geeta Gandbhir, and Elijah Wood.
Oscar Nominations Highlight del Toro’s Artistic Impact
Earlier in the week, Guillermo del Toro received two Oscar nominations for his 2025 adaptation of Frankenstein, earning nods for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. The film secured a total of nine nominations including Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Original Score, and Best Sound. Actor Jacob Elordi also achieved his first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the film.
Anticipation Builds for the Academy Awards
The 98th Academy Awards ceremony, where these nominations will be recognized, is scheduled to air live on ABC on March 15. Guillermo del Toro’s presence at Sundance and his recent Oscar nominations affirm his continuing influence in the film industry and underscore his dedication to celebrating Mexican culture.
Guillermo del Toro singing “México Lindo y Querido” with mariachi at #Sundance. A true highlight. This brought me so much joy. And yes I was singing along 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/1jXgnyUx32
— Carlos Aguilar (@Carlos_Film) January 27, 2026
Guillermo del Toro making tortillas at #SundanceFilmFestival pic.twitter.com/zH7MgZyvZF
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) January 27, 2026
