Bravo to all the nominees and winners of the 2024 Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival!
Sinag Maynila 2024 proclaimed the nominees and winners of the sixth edition of the independent film festival through a Gabi ng Parangal held at the historic Metropolitan Theater in Manila last September 8, 2024. The event marked a highlight of the National Industry Month, and the City of Manila’s Tourism Month.
In the feature film category, “Her Locket” a story of forgiveness and redemption based on Best Actress Rebecca Chuaunsu’s personal life, emerged as the biggest winner with eight awards; followed by “The Gospel of the Beast”, a story of a boy who gets entangled in a gang, which bagged two awards.
In the citation, the judges praised “Her Locket” for the epic narrative and discourse that it encompasses, outstanding narrative, realistic portrayals, painstaking design and unobtrusive camera work. Its producer-lead Rebecca Chuaunsu was praised for her “effortless portrayal of a demented woman who connects with the past through her locket.”
Meanwhile, Best Actor Ronnie Lazaro of “The Gospel of the Beast” was hailed for his pure and realistic characterization.
Here is the complete list of Sinag Maynila 2024 nominees and winners:
A. FULL LENGTH EATURE FILM CATEGORY
Best Film
Nominees:
“The Gospel of the Beast”
“Her Locket” – winner
Best Actress
Nominees:
Kira Balinger, “Maple Leaf Dreams”
Rebecca Chuaunsu, “Her Locket” – winner
Best Actor
Nominees:
Tony Labrusca, “What You Did”
LA Santos, “Maple Leaf Dreams”
Bryan Wong, “Banjo”
Ronnie Lazaro, “The Gospel of the Beast” – winner
Best Director
Nominees:
Sheron Dayoc, “The Gospel of the Beast”
Bryan Wong, “Banjo”
JE Tiglao, “Her Locket” – winner
Best Supporting Actor
Nominees:
Boo Gabunada, “Her Locket”
Jansen Magpusao, “The Gospel of the Beast” – winner
Best Supporting Actress
Elora Españo, “Her Locket” – winner
Best Screenplay
Nominees:
Benedict Mique & Hannah Cruz, “Maple Leaf Dreams”
Bryan Wong, “Banjo”
JE Tiglao & Maze Miranda, “Her Locket” – winner
Best Editing
Nominees:
Beng Bandong, “What You Did”
Lawrence Ang, “The Gospel of the Beast”
Bryan Wong, “Banjo” – winner
Best Production Design
James Rosendal, “Her Locket” – winner
Best Cinematography
Nominees:
Rommel Andreo Sales, “The Gospel of the Beast”
Rain Yamson II, LPS, “Talahib”
Bryan Wong, “Banjo”
Jag Concepcion, “Her Locket” – winner
Jury Prize for Ensemble Cast – “Her Locket”
People’s Choice Award – “Talahib” (Tall Grass)
B. SHORT FILM CATEGORY
Best Short Film – “As The Moth Flies” by Gayle Oblea
2nd Best Short Film – “Bisan Abo Wala Bilin” (Even Ashes, Nothing Remains” by Kyd Torato
3rd Best Short Film – “Ang Maniniyot ni Papa Jisos” (Father Jisos’ Photographer) by Franky Arrocena
C. DOCUMENTARY CATEGORY
Best Documentary – “Ino” by Ranniel Semana
Special Jury Prize – “Pag-Ibig Ang Mananaig” (Love Will Prevail) by Jenina Denise A. Domingo
Special Jury Prize – “Ghosts of Kalantiaw” by Chuck Escasa
The finalists— seven full-length feature films, 10 short films and seven documentaries—were selected by film critic and Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino member Tito Valiente, filmmaker and independent cinema advocate Juliet Cuizon-Licaros and writer, director and Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Head of Education Division Rica Arevalo. All three are part of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Committee on Cinema; of which Mr. Valiente is the Vice Head, Ms. Cuizon-Licaros is the Secretary and Ms. Arevalo is a member.
Director Zig Dulay and actress Harlene Bautista served as jurors of the Short Film and Documentary categories, while screenwriter Bibeth Orteza, documentary filmmaker Ramona Diaz and director Lav Diaz were jurors of the Full Length Feature category.
Sinag Maynila founder, Solar Entertainment President Wilson Tieng, pointed out that this year’s films were chosen from hundreds of entries, and are representative of the current Filipino cinema landscape. “Yan po ay mula sa iba’t-ibang bahagi ng bansa,” said Mr. Tieng, the “Father” of Sinag Maynila. “Hindi lamang dito sa Metro Manila.” He thanked the supporters who trooped to the cinemas to watch in spite of last week’s bad weather, and urged the audience to catch the films in the cinemas.
Likewise, Sinag Maynila co-founder Brillante Mendoza thanked all the “lovers of Filipino independent films.” The Cannes International Film Festival Best Director said, “Napakahalaga po sa amin na nakiki-isa kayo sa indie filmmakers na naging passion na ang paggawa ng pelikula… Hindi lamang dugo, pawis ang ibinubuhos sa paglikha, kundi pati ang kinabukasan, minsan, ay kailangang itaya para maisakatuparan ang mga pangarap.”
Manila Mayor Dr. Maria Sheilah “Honey” Lacuna-Pangan likened Sinag Maynila to “(a) beacon for filmmakers… providing a platform to tell meaningful stories that capture the essence of our society.” She added, “By fostering and highlighting socially relevant films, we continue to push the boundaries of Philippine cinema.”
Sinag Maynila 2024 is supported by the City of Manila, Department of Tourism, Culture & Arts Office of Manila (DTCAM), the Film Development Council of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
Huge Congratulations and welcome back Sinag Maynila! See you again next year!
Special shout out of Thank You to Ms. Gay Ace Domingo and Sir Butch Ibanez.
