More and more int’l honors

MORE INT’L AWARDS – Yes, there are more international awards harvested this year by Filipino films, indies in particular.

Let’s start with Louie Ignacio, who directed two winners: “Area” and “Laut.”

Topbilled by Ai-Ai de las Alas, “Area” won special citation in Kazakhstan. “Laut” gave Barbie Forteza the best actress award at the Oporto International Film Festival in Portugal.

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ELWOOD PEREZ merited the Film Icon Visionary Award for “Esoterika: Maynila,” topbilled by Ronnie Liang, at the Soho International Film Festival in New York.

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JOSEPH ISRAEL LABAN’S “Happy New Year” won best film in Sao Paolo, Brazil and his “The Sister” bagged best cinematography in Harlem, New York.

In Manhattan New York, Jake Cuenca is best actor for “Mulat” and Nathalie Hart best actress for “Siphayo.”

The entry of Allan Ibañez and Dexter Hemedez, “1st Sem” is this year’s best feature film in All Lights India filmfest in Hyderabad, India.

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HASMINE KILLIP has won four best actress awards for “Pamilya Ordinario,” the latest from the Asia Pacific Screen Awards in Brisbane, Australia.

John Paul Su’s “Toto” won two: Audience Award at the Asian American Filmfest in New York and best foreign feature in Los Angeles Comedy Festival. Sid Lucero is best actor.

Arlyn de la Cruz’s “Maratabat” won at the New York and San Francisco filmfests.

Sheren Dayoc’s “The Crescent Rising” was given the Mecenat Award at the Busan International Film Festival in South Korea.

Neil Daza is best cinematographer for “1st Sem” at the Cinema World Fest in Ottawa, Canada.

In New Delhi, Noriel Jarito’s “Huramentado” won the Jury Choice Award.

The list of local films which won awards this year in cinema events abroad is by no means complete. What matters is big or small, major or minor winners, they all gave the country honors.

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AFTER VENICE – After Lav Diaz’s major victory in Venice, Golden Lion (best picture) for “Ang Babaeng Humayo,” what’s next?

Perhaps Cannes’ Palme d’ Or and Berlin’s Golden Bear in the years to come. Or even next year?

Well, who knows?