Jasmine Curtis Smith wins ‘Best Actress’ for lesbian role
Cinema One Originals 2016 best picture Petersen Vargas’ “2 Cool 2 Be 4Gotten” –Marinel Cruz
MANILA — “I am happy for being the one to represent them,” said Jasmine Curtis-Smith, referring to the LGBT (lesbians, gay, bisexual and transgender) community. The 22-year-old bagged the best actress honor at the 2016 Cinema One Originals Festival for her performance as a lesbian in the film “Baka Bukas.”
“We have already seen many love stories between a man and a woman. What about for those who aren’t straight? This story is for and about them,” Jasmine told reporters shortly after the awards ceremony held at the Dolphy Theater on Sunday night.
The Samantha Lee film also bagged the Audience Choice Award. The best sound trophy was given to Andrew Milallos, also for “Baka Bukas.”
“2 Cool 2 Be 4Gotten” was declared winner of the Best Picture honor. The best supporting actor award was given to Jameson Blake, while the best cinematography trophy, to Carlos Mauricio. The Petersen Vargas film tells the story of Felix (Khalil Ramos) whose boring life changes upon the arrival of the Snyder brothers, who entangle him in their dark ambitions.
“Lily,” a story on an urban legend in Cebu who is said to be a witch hunting for prey when the moon is full and shining brightly at night, won for Keith Deligero the best director award. Rocky Salumbides and Natileigh Sitoy brought home the best actor and best supporting actress honors, respectively. It also received the best editing trophy for Lawrence Ang.
Jules Katanyag’s “Si Magdalola at ang mga Gago” was given the Special Jury Prize, while Teng Mangansakan’s “Forbidden Memory” was proclaimed the best documentary. A special citation was given to John Torre’s documentary “People Power Bombshell: The Diary of Vietnam Rose.”
Borgy Torre’s “Tisay,” about a bookie who recruits a promising player (JC de Vera) to the underworld of game-fixing, won the Champion Bughaw award, the best production design trophy for Michael Espanol, and the best music award for Francis de Veyra.
The best screenplay award was bestowed upon Jose Abdel Langit for his work on “Malinak Ya Labi.”
This year’s best short film is “Maria” by JP Habac, while the Cinema One Minute Student Film is “No Seguir” by Nino Justin Tecson.
Cinema One Originals 2016 concludes its run on Nov. 22. SFM
