PH’s entry ‘Bwaya’ wins top prize in Tokyo film fest

(L-R) Line producer Sarah Pagcaliwagan, director Francis Xavier Pasion, actress Angeli Bayani, executive producers R.S. Francisco and Samuel Verzosa. FACEBOOK PHOTO/Rs Francisco

INSTAGRAM PHOTO/Angeli Bayani

MANILA, Philippines–Francis Xavier Pasion’s “Bwaya” on Saturday bagged the Grand Prize at the 15th Tokyo FILMex, its lead actress said early Sunday on Instagram.

Angeli Bayani, who attended the festival in Tokyo, Japan, posted on her Instagram account: “Thank you so much to everyone who made this film possible–the staff, the crew, the cast. None of this would have been possible were it not for your passion and commitment to the project. Domo arigato gozaimasu, TOKYO FILMeX!!!”

In the film, Bayani plays the character of Divina, a 35-year-old Manobo tribeswoman, who sets out a search for her missing daughter after a crocodile attack.

Tokyo FILMex is an annual film festival featuring creative and innovative Asian films.

The triumph is the latest achievement under “Bwaya’s” belt after it reaped major awards, namely Best Film, Best Cinematography and Best Musical Score, in the New Breed section of the 10th Cinemalaya Film Festival last August.

The film was also screened at the 19th Busan International Film Festival in South Korea last September.