‘Imago’ wins Edward Snowden Award in Berlin

Ruby Ruiz in “Imago”

After winning in Toronto last year, Filipino filmmaker Raymund Ribay Gutierrez’s “Imago” received another prize in Berlin, Germany. “Imago” won the Edward Snowden Award at the 15th International Festival Signes de Nuit or the Internationales Festival Zeichen der Nacht. The jury commended the short film for “introducing [viewers] to the unknown world of a single mother with a peculiar job.”

The Snowden award “honors films which offer sensible, unknown information, facts and phenomena of eminent importance.”

Since its inception, the Paris-based fest has screened a thousand films in 33 countries. The films screened in the fest “reflect new views, original imagery and a critical approach to the crucial points of modern human existence.”

“It validates our work, [and tells us] that we did well,” Gutierrez told the Inquirer. “I don’t spend too much time thinking about awards because it will only get in my way and fuel frustration. I’d rather turn my passion for filmmaking into an obligation.” —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.