Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 13) — “Iti Mapukpukaw” by Carl Joseph Papa, the first animated full length film to join, won Best Film in Cinemalaya’s awarding ceremony held at the Philippine International Convention Center on Sunday night, Aug. 13.
Papa, a software engineer, said the film was his first entry to the annual film festival.
“It feels bittersweet. I’m happy that Cinemalaya has given us the chance to show this film… we hope it could spark a conversation to other people about the message of the film,” he said.
Papa’s first feature film “The Unforgetting” won him the QCinema Netpac jury prize in 2014. “Iti Mapukpukaw” is his third animated feature film.
Golden Globe nominee and veteran actress Dolly de Leon was also hailed as Best Supporting Actress for the film, which also bagged the NETPAC Award for Full Length Feature.
“Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat. Grabe, first time ko makatanggap at magsalita ng award dito sa Pilipinas. Ang sarap pala ng feeling,” she said during her speech.
[Translation: Thank you very much to all of you. It’s great, it’s my first time to receive and speak at an award here in the Philippines. It feels good.]
Cinemalaya cited “Iti Mapukpukaw” as the film that “boldly takes challenges of technology in crafting a very engaging narrative of a young man confronting the demons of his past.”
It follows a story of a mouthless young man (Carlo Aquino) as it twists and turns after the arrival of a familiar alien and the death of his uncle — both of which would trigger him to remember his past and untangle his memories.
Best Short Film, on the other hand, was awarded to “Sibuyas ni Perfecto (Perfecto’s Onion)” by Janura Yap. It tells the story of “Perfecto” who takes the long road to his friend’s house.
The film was lauded for its depiction of how “the poor’s exploitation by the rich is driven by their own denigration and self-abasement.”
Meanwhile, Kevin Mikhail Mayuga’s full length film “When This is All Over” received Best Production Design (Kaye Banaag), Best Original Music Score (Kindred Productions), and Best Cinematography (Martika Ramirez-Escobar) awards.
Mikoy Morales who is known for “I’m Ellenya L.,” won the Best Actor for his performance in “Tether,” while Pat Tingjuy of “Rookie” is Cinemalaya’ s Best Actress for this year.
Other awards given at the Cinemalaya 19’s awards night were:
Audience Choice Award
Short Feature: “Rookie” by Samantha Lee
Full Length Feature: “Hinakdal” by Arvin Belarmino
Best Sound Design
Full Length Feature: Gian Arre for “Tether\”
Best Editing
Full Length Feature: Ilsa Malsi for \”Rookie\”
Best Screenplay
Short Feature: Arvin Belarmino for “Hinakdal”
Full Length Feature: Jopy Arnaldo for “Gitling”
Best Supporting Actor
Full Length Feature: Bon Andrew Lentejas for “Huling Palabas”
NETPAC Award
Short Feature: “Hinakdal” by Arvin Belarmino
Cinemalaya Special Award
Full Length Feature: “Ang Duyan ng Magiting” by Dustin Celestino
Special Jury Award
Short Feature: “HM HM MHM” by Sam Villa-real and Kim Timan
Full Length Feature: “Ang Duyan ng Magiting” by Dustin Celestino
Best Director
Short Feature: Mike Cabarles for \”Makoko Sa Baybay”
