The 22nd Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival announced its winners.
The psychological horror film “Mag-Iina” won the Balanghai trophy for Best Film. Giancarlo Abrahan and Guelan Varela Luarca directed the feature. The story follows three generations of women. Grief, madness, and dark family secrets bind them together.
The jury praised “Mag-Iina” for “pushing the boundaries of filmmaking.” They cited its “layered narrative, unraveling dark family secrets, deep-seated grief, and a matriarchal dynamic that subtly exposes broader truths about Philippine society and politics.” The jury also commended its “exceptional technical artistry,” “commanding performances,” and “bold, fearless, and visionary filmmaking.”
Director Giancarlo Abrahan won Best Director for “Mag-Iina.” The festival honored his “fearless and visionary filmmaking” and his ability to orchestrate cinema’s technical resources into a family drama. Writer Guelan Varela Luarca earned Best Screenplay for the same film. The jury lauded his “masterfully written, fearlessly complex script.”
“Mag-Iina” also swept several technical categories:
- Best Production Design: Katrish Aristoki, for crafting a “haunting, gothic atmosphere.”
- Best Musical Scoring: David Yuhico, for a “masterfully subtle and haunting soundtrack.”
In the Short Film Category, Rey Anthony Villaverde’s “Silkscreen” took home the Best Film award. The jury selected it for its “textured cinematography, precise color grading, and meticulous sound design.”
Gabriela Serrano won Best Director in the Short Film Category for “Elenita Elena Elaine.” The jury recognized her for “seamlessly harmonizing every technical element to craft a powerful, visually mesmerizing story.”
Lysa Catolico and Jazmine Gin Pateña earned Best Screenplay in the Short Film Category for “Runo!” The jury praised them for “crafting a witty yet deeply emotional narrative” and presenting a “moving tribute to unconditional loyalty.”
The festival featured several acting honors:
- Best Actor: Martin del Rosario (“Tayo Lang Ang Nakakaalam”), cited for his “deeply affecting and sensitive presence.”
- Best Actress (Tie): Ruby Ruiz (“Status: Rejected”) and Marietta ‘Pokwang’ Subong (“2 Valid IDs”). The jury called Ruiz’s performance “an absolute masterclass in screen acting.” They praised Subong for a “deeply transformative and devastating performance.”
- Best Supporting Actor (Tie): Lucas Andalio (“Mag-Iina”) and K.D. Omalin (“Hand of God”).
- Best Supporting Actress: Bituin Escalante (“A.ni.mál”), recognized for “delivering a ferocious performance of incredible brilliance.”
- Best Ensemble Performance: The cast of “Tayo Lang Ang Nakakaalam” (Martin del Rosario, Yayo Aguila, Miguel Oldron, and Epy Quizon).
Additional technical awards included:
- Best Editing: John Rogers (“A.ni.mál”)
- Best Cinematography: Adam Dumaguin (“Tayo Lang Ang Nakakaalam”)
- Best Sound: Elian Idioma (“Tayo Lang Ang Nakakaalam”)
The Network for the Promotion of Asia Pacific Cinema (NETPAC) presented two awards. Vahn Leinard Pascual’s “Status: Rejected” won the NETPAC Award for Full-Length Film. Lot-lot Hermosura’s “The River Flows in Different Places” won the NETPAC Award for Short Film.
The Special Jury Prize went to “2 Valid IDs” by Ma-an Asuncion-Dagñalan and Abet Pagdagdagan Raz, alongside Mae Chan Li’s “Para-Paraan (Finding a Way Through).”
Audience Choice Awards went to “2 Valid IDs” for Full-Length Film and Norvin de los Santos’s “Hoy, Hoy, Ingat! (Hey, Hey, Take Care!)” for Short Film.