The animated film “Iti Mapukpukaw” made history at the 19th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival by winning the prestigious Balanghai trophy for Best Film in the Full-Length category. Directed by Carl Joseph Papa, the film was lauded “for boldly taking on the challenges of technology in crafting a very engaging narrative of a young man confronting the demons of his past, and for its overall cinematic excellence.”
In the Short Film Category, Januar Yap’s “Sibuyas ni Perfecto” clinched the Best Film award for its subtle yet powerful exploration of social inequality.
The festival’s Best Director Balanghai trophies were presented to Ryan Espinosa Machado and Mike Cabarles. Machado’s film “Huling Palabas” utilized the ”the resources of art to come up with a deeply personal film that evokes fond memories of pre-digital cinema while paying homage to one’s small-town roots, and how all of this contributes to fashioning self-respect and self-identity.”
On the other hand, Cabarles effectively conveyed the sorrow of two brothers who lost their mother to the sea in “Makoko sa Baybay.”
The Best Screenplay awards went to Jopy Arnaldo’s “Gitling” and Arvin Belarmino’s “Hinakdal.” “Gitling” was cited for “its very tender tale of two persons bridging the divide between races and cultures and, through constructed language and through silence and even evasion, coming to a poignant understanding of the heart.”
“Hinakdal,” co-written by Belarmino and Kyla Romero, won the award for the “very striking narrative that remakes the horror genre while humanizing zombies and endowing them with heart and soul.”
Both “Iti Mapupukaw” and “Hinakdal” received NETPAC (Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema) Awards. “Iti Mapupukaw” was praised for its finely nuanced storytelling, while “Hinakdal” was acknowledged for “its pithy, layered and strong social commentary laced with dollops of humor.”
Actor Mikoy Morales and actress Pat Tingjuy were honored with the Best Performance awards. Morales stood out for his compelling portrayal in “Tether,” while Tingjuy was celebrated for her refreshing depiction of a girl navigating her sexual identity in “Rookie.”
Dolly de Leon and Bon Andrew Lentejas won Best Performance awards for Supporting Actress and Actor, respectively. De Leon’s poignant performance as a mother in “Iti Mapukpukaw” and Lentejas’ engaging portrayal of a young man in “Huling Palabas” earned them recognition.
The festival’s technical awards encompassed various categories. Ilsa Malsi won Best Editing for “Rookie,” Martika Escobar’s exceptional cinematography in “When This Is All Over” captured the worlds of drugs and the associated lifestyle, Kindred was recognized as the Best Original Musical Score for their work in “When This Is All Over,” Kaye Banaag’s skillful production design in “When This Is All Over” earned the jury’s nods, and Arre’s sound design in “Tether” successfully merged noise and silence.
Dustin Celestino’s “Ang Duyan ng Magiting” received a Special Jury Prize. Sam Villa-Real and Kim Timan’s “Hm Hm Mhm” was recognized for its bold approach “to depict a woman revisiting the darker aspects of her childhood.”
A Special Award for Best Ensemble Acting was given to “Ang Duyan ng Magiting.”
Audience Choice Awards went to “Hinakdal” and “Rookie,” capturing the hearts of Cinemalaya theatergoers and audiences in the Short Film and Full-Length categories, respectively.
