‘Dreamboi,’ initially rated X, wins big at first CineSilip Film Festival
Metro Manila, Philippines - “Dreamboi,” a film that explores trans desire and was initially slapped with an X rating, dominated the awarding ceremony of the inaugural CineSilip Film Festival on Monday, Oct. 27.
Rodina Singh was awarded Best Director for her movie “Dreamboi,” which emerged as the best film among the seven entries of the film festival hosted by Vivamax.
The films of the CineSilip Film Festival focused on eroticism but showcased “new voices, bold visions, and fearless stories.”
During her acceptance speech for Best Director, Singh thanked the festival for giving them the opportunity to bring the film into life.
She also mentioned the struggles of the film after the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) gave it an X-rating twice, before obtaining approval as an R-18 movie on third review.
“Hindi kami token,” the trans filmmaker said. “We just want to remind everyone: Sa isang sineng malaya, ang mga kuwento tulad ni ‘Dreamboi’ at ng lahat ng ginawa ng mga direktor sa kauna-unahang CineSilip, hindi lang dapat sinisilip, dapat pinapanalo natin.”
[Translation: We are not tokens. We just want to remind everyone: In a free cinema, the stories like “Dreamboi” and those created by directors in the inaugural CineSilip, should not only be peeped at but being celebrated.]
“Dreamboi” clinched the awards for Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Production Design, Best Sound, and the Audience Choice Award.
Migs Almendras, who was part of the cast of Singh’s erotic psychological drama, was the Best Supporting Actor.
Other entries were “Babae Sa Butas,” “Haplos Sa Hangin,” “Maria Azama: Da Best P*Rnstar,” “Salikmat,” “Pagdaong,” and “Ang Lihim Ni Maria Makinang.”
The festival will end on Tuesday in Ayala Mall cinemas.
Below are the other awards:
2nd Best Film - “Pagdaong”
3rd Best Film - “Haplos sa Hangin”
Best Screenplay - “Haplos sa Hangin”
Best Actor - Martin del Rosario, “Haplos sa Hangin”
Best Actress - Angela Morena, “Pagdaong”
Best Supporting Actress - Chloe Jenna, “Maria Azama: Da Best P*Rnstar”
Best Musical Score - “Haplos sa Hangin”
