‘Toto’ wins in New York

FROM left: Mara Lopez, Sid Lucero and Thou Reyes

John Paul Su’s full-length feature debut, “Toto,” won the Audience Choice Award for Best Film at the 39th Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) in New York City from July 21 to 30. The director said he’s “grateful for and thrilled by” the reception his film had received in New York, where his “journey as a filmmaker began 11 years ago.”

It was a homecoming of sorts for Su, who is a product of New York University. “Toto,” he related, was shown in the same theater, Village East Cinema, where his first US-produced short film, “Happy Anniversary,” was likewise screened in 2005.

Presented by Asian Cinevision, the AAIFF is “the first and longest running festival devoted to films by and about Asian-Americans.”

“Toto” won four top awards in the New Wave section of the Metro Manila Film Festival, where it premiered in December: special jury prize, best director (for Su), best supporting actor (Thou Reyes) and best supporting actress (Bibeth Orteza).

It also won best foreign feature film and best actor (Sid Lucero) at the Los Angeles Comedy Festival in May. Bayani San Diego Jr.