Alonso Ruizpalacios is a Mexican film director and screenwriter. His work consistently places extremely personal, human stories against the historical or contemporary backdrops of very specific times, places, and institutions, highlighting the existential discrepancies that arise in the wake of the systemic injustices that cast shadows over such settings.

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Ruizpalacios studied stage directing in Mexico City before moving to London, where he trained as an actor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA).

His first feature film, Güeros (2013), won over 40 prizes in festivals around the world, including Best First Feature at the Berlinale 2013. The film was lauded by critics and won five Ariel Awards in 2015, including Best Picture, Best First Film, and Best Director.

Museo (2018), starring Gael García Bernal, won the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay at the Berlinale 2018 and Best Director in Athens and Morelia. His third film, A Cop Movie (2021), won the Golden Ariel for Best Documentary.

He has also contributed in TV series: directing two episodes for Narcos: Mexico and two episodes for the Mexican TV show Aquí en la tierra; besides being the showrunner of the XY TV show for the Mexican television network Once TV.

His fourth film, La Cocina (2024), starring Rooney Mara, was selected for the Tribeca Film Festival and won him international recognition. Set in present-day New York City, La Cocina centers around Pedro, an undocumented Mexican immigrant who must grapple with the inconsistencies of the ever-elusive “American Dream.” The film embraces its cultural melting-pot of an environment, detailing the everyday joys and pains of the immigrants who cross paths in the restaurant where they work.