Congratulations to all the winners of the 2024 Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival held at The Metropolitan Theater last September 8, 2024. The event was also attended by Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna and Vice Mayor Yul Servo as well as Sinag Maynila Film Festival Founders Wilson Tieng and director Brillante Mendoza.
Grand winner of the night was director J.E. Tiglao’s Her Locket which won Best Picture. The Filipino-Chinese film topbilled by Ms. Rebecca Chuaunsu also bagged the Best Actress Award alongside Elora Espano who took home Best Supporting Actress. J.E. Tiglao added another trophy for his Best Director award as he shares Best Screenplay with Maze Miranda.
First time feature film cinematographer Jag Concepcion won as Best Cinematography, Best Production Design by James Rosendal and Best Ensemble Acting awards. Super congratulations to all these deserved citations.
“‘Her Locket’ has been in my mind for the past 32 years. Nine years ago, when I applied to be in the directing class of the director Brillante Mendoza, the staff texted me back, giving me five compelling reasons why Direk Brillante has to accept you as a directing student,” Chuaunsu said in her speech. “I said I don’t have five reasons — I have only one compelling reason. If I don’t produce my movie, I cannot breathe. So tonight, I can finally breathe,” she added.
“Her Locket,” an autobiographical film about family conflicts and inheritance issues, has gained international attention, having participated in several film festivals, including Marche Du Film at Festival De Cannes (2023) in France, the London East Asia International Film Festival (2023) in the UK, and the 22nd Dhaka International Film Festival (2024) in Bangladesh.
Kudos to Ms. Rebecca and the rest of Team Her Locket on your Sinag Maynila 2024 Gabi ng Parangal awards sweep! Another film gem added to Philippine movie industry.
Short Film Category
– 3rd Best Short Film: Ang Maniniyot ni Papa Jesus
– 2nd Best Short Film: Bisan Abo Mabilin
– 1st Best Short Film: As the Moth Flies
Documentary Category
– Best Documentary: INO
– Documentary Jury Prize: Pag-Ibig ang Mananaig
– Documentary Jury Prize: Ghost of Kalantiaw
Full-Length Film Category
– Best Film: Her Locket
Best Screenplay: Her Locket – JE Tiglao and Maze Miranda
– Best Production Design: Her Locket
– Best Cinematography: Her Locket – Jag Concepcion
– Best Editing: Banjo – Bryan Wong
– People’s Choice Award: Talahib
– Best Actor: Ronnie Lazaro – The Gospel of the Beast
– Best Director: JE Tiglao – Her Locket
– Best Ensemble Acting: Her Locket
– Best Actress: Rebecca Chuaunsu – Her Locket
– Best Supporting Actress: Elora Españo –Her Locket