FROM left: Dexter Hemedez, Darwin Yu, Lotlot de Leon and Allan Ibañez.
Two films from the Philippines bagged top honors at the recently concluded All Lights India International Film Festival held in Hyderabad, India. Louie Ignacio’s “Laut” won honorable mention in the veterans or main competition of the fest.
Meanwhile, Dexter Hemedez and Allan Ibañez’s “1st Sem” won best feature film in the section for debuting directors. “1st Sem” lead actress Lotlot de Leon brought home a special acting citation, as well.
De Leon’s prize is “the only award given to an actor in the entire festival,” Hemedez told the Inquirer. “We can’t believe that we won. It was inspiring, watching our film with foreign viewers, who gave us positive feedback after the screening,” the young filmmaker said. Bayani San Diego Jr.