By Neil Ramos
Joel Lamangan’s “Bhoy Intsik” was nominated in six categories, while Allan Michael Ibañez and Dexter Hemedez’s “1st Sem” eked four citations.
“Bhoy Intsik” is up for the Jury Award, as with best foreign language feature film, best director, best cinematography, best original screenplay, and best editing.
“1st Sem” is competing for best director, best lead actor, best original score, and best sound design.
Only last May, “Bhoy Intsik” won best editing in the Foreign Language Film category of the 2018 NICE International Film Festival of World Cinema in France.
Previously, it won the Special Jury Prize in the Orient Express section of the 38th Oporto International Film Festival.
It also won two acting trophies for its star, RS Francisco; one at the 2017 Sinag Maynila Film Festival 2017, and another at the Star Awards for Movies 2018.
“1st Sem,” on the other hand, won best picture at the 2016 CineFilipino Film Festival.
It also won the best debut feature plum for Hemedez and Ibañez at the All Lights India International Film Festival where its lead star, Lotlot de Leon, also won a special acting citation for her performance in the film.
“1st Sem” also won the Gold Remi Award at the 50th Worldfest Houston International Film Festival. De Leon, also won Best Supporting Actress for the film, there.
This year’s MIFF will be held from July 21 to 28.
