TOKYO – The last time, Highspeed bannered Philippine cinema for its triumphs in the world’s top three film festivals:
Cannes, Berlin, and Venice.
Now this column spotlights other Filipino films which won awards in other world filmfests. Let’s start with Tokyo, where the Perci Intalan-Jun Lana collaboration, “Die Beautiful,” won audience award and for Paolo Ballesteros best actor trophy.
“Die Beautiful” is opening on Dec. 25, the start of the annual Metro Manila Film Festival.
Also in Tokyo, Mikhail Red’s “Birdshot” won best film in the Asian Future section.
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CAIRO & SHANGHAI – Ralston Jover’s “Hamog” gave Therese Malvar the best actress award in Egypt’s capital, Cairo.
A few weeks earlier, “Hamog” was named Outstanding Achievement Awardee in Shanghai.
Years, back Nora was Cairo’s best actress for Joel Lamangan’s “Flor Contemplacion,” also chosen best picture.
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MADRID – Joel Lamangan’s “Tomodachi” won best foreign language film in Madrid, dedicating the recognition to local moviegoers.
“Tomodachi” also gave Jacky Woo and Emerson Teczon the best musical score. Woo is also its producer and actor.
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HOUSTON – Mel Chionglo’s “Iadya Mo Kami” brought home the Silver Remi (Spiritual Section) from the WorldFest Houston International Film and Video Festival in Texas.
Lead actor is Allen Dizon. For the role of an erring priest, he won best actor awards in Ireland and Italy.
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HYDERABAD – Lotlot de Leon was given a special acting citation for “1st Sem” in Hyderabad, India. She plays a single mother raising three boys, which is close to her heart being one.
Lotlot also took care of siblings Ian, Matet, Kiko, and Kenneth while their mother (Nora Aunor) was in the US for several years.
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DOHA & BRUSSELS – “Bambanti” (Scarecrow) won Hilal best feature film at the Ajyal Youth Film Festival in Doha, Qatar.
It was also best film at the Festival International du Film de Brussels in Belgium.
The director, Zig Dulay, dedicated “Bambanti” to Filipino Overseas Workers (OFW).
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VESOUL – Lawrence Fajardo’s “Imbisibol” won in Vesoul, France, the Netpac Award (Nerwork for the Promotion of Asian Cinema). He said that the award meant that people who don’t even speak Filipino recognize the value of the film itself, giving him an overwhelming feeling of achievement.