PH film wins in Dhaka

In Dhaka, Maricel Cabrera-Cariaga (right) and filmmaker Nika Zholdosheva of Kyrgyz Republic

A Filipino movie topped the Children’s Films section of the 15th Dhaka International Film Festival, which concluded in Bangladesh on Jan. 20.

Maricel Cabrera-Cariaga’s “Pitong Kabang Palay” won Best Children’s Film in the fest. Cariaga traveled to Bangladesh to present the movie, which was also an entry in last year’s ToFarm Film Festival, where it won five trophies.

The screen drama, which features Arnold Reyes, Sue Prado and Micko Laurente in lead roles, shows the struggles of a farmer’s family in Isabela.

For Cariaga, the victory came as a pleasant surprise. She told the Inquirer: “I didn’t expect to win because there was a pool of great films shown in the children’s section. I didn’t even know there was an award in our category. I am just happy to have represented our country in the festival.”

She dedicated the win to her family. “This is our story, and I am glad the people of Dhaka, Bangladesh, appreciated the film.” —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.

Alfonso Yñigo Delen in “Pitong Kabang Palay”