Filipino actors and filmmakers bag awards at ASEAN Film Fest
The film spotlight is once again tilted in the Philippines as Filipino filmmakers and actors bagged awards in the third ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards at the Pullman Hotel in Kuching, Malaysia last May 6.
Filipino filmmaker Luisito “Louie” Ignacio won best director while Filipina comedienne Aiai Delas alas scored the best actress title both for their film Area. Delas Alas was not able to attend the awarding ceremony since she is promoting her upcoming film Our Mighty Yaya in Manila; Ignacio received the award for her.
“We were there not as individual directors; we represented the entire Philippine movie industry—so that our neighbors would know more about us.” Ignacio said in an interview with Inquirer.
Filipina actress Ana Capri also received the best supporting actress award for Ignacio’s other film entry, Laut which also stars Barbie Forteza, Gabbi Garcia, Jak Roberto, Ronwaldo Martin, Rico Barrera and veteran actress Perla Bautista.
Another Filipino actor, Ricky Davao, who also was not able to attend, was hailed best supporting actor award for Bor Ocampo’s Dayang Asu. “This honor is a reminder that I am still an actor, in spite of my hectic schedule as a director.” he told the Inquirer.
Lawrence Fajardo bagged best editing for his work in the film he also directed Imbisibol. The Festival’s opening film, Lav Diaz’s Ang Babaeng Humayo (The Woman Who Left), was given a Special Honor Award. Executive producer Ronald Arguelles was present to accept the award.
From more than a hundred entries, AIFFA screened 31 films in competition and brought Asia’s biggest and brightest stars from May 4 to 6. Nine of these films came from the Philippines, which has the most number of entries. AIFFA, which started in 2013, is being held every two years to promote ASEAN films to the international market, facilitate collaboration and networking within the ASEAN film industry and provide business opportunities for film distributors and exhibitors as well as attract tourism to Malaysia.
Other Filipino films which competed in AIFFA are Derick Cabrido’s Purgatoryo, Paolo Villaluna’s Pauwi Na, Lemuel Lorca’s Ned’s Project, Atom Magadia’s Dagsin and Zig Dulay’s Paglipay.
Image grabbed from psr.ph
Source: inquirer, psr.ph
