The Ariel is the Mexican Academy of Film Award. It has been awarded annually since 1947. The award recognizes excellence in motion picture making, such as acting, directing and screenwriting in Mexican cinema. It is considered the most prestigious award in the Mexican movie industry. In cinema, it is considered Mexico's equivalent to the Academy Awards ("Oscars") of the United States.
The statuette is in the image of a man and it was designed by the sculptor Ignacio Asúnsolo. The original statuette is currently found inside Churubusco Studios in Mexico City. The name "Ariel" was inspired by a series of short writings called El Ariel by Uruguayan writer José Enrique Rodó that inspired generations of young Latin Americans in the first decades of the 20th century.
In the original name.
† irregularly given