‘Whether the Weather is Fine,’ 2 PH shorts win in US, UK and Belgium fests

Scene from “Whether the Weather is Fine”

Awards like this assure you that you’re on the right path,” said Carlo Francisco Manatad after he was declared best director for the dramatic film “Whether the Weather is Fine” at the recent 2021 London East Asia Film Festival in the United Kingdom.

The festival ran from Oct. 21 to Oct. 31.

Manatad’s full-length debut feature tells the story of how a mother (Charo Santos-Concio) and her son (Daniel Padilla) struggled to survive Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) that devastated Tacloban, Leyte, in 2013.

“The award, in a way, gives a boost or amplifies the works of the new generation of filmmakers like me, not just those from the Philippines, but also from the rest of the Southeast Asian region,” Manatad told Inquirer Entertainment on Wednesday.

Big wins

Manatad also considers the present as “super exciting times for SEA filmmakers, especially after the big wins of two Indonesian filmmakers, whose stories are also super inspiring.”

Manatad was referring to Indonesian director Edwin, who won the Golden Leopard (International Competition category) for his film “Vengeance is Mine, All Others Pay Cash” at the 74th Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland; and Kamila Andini, who won the Platform Prize at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival in Canada.

Manatad himself won in Locarno the Cinema E Gioventù Prize in the Concorso Cineasti del Presente (Filmmakers of the Present Competition), a section dedicated to emerging directors from all over the world.

“These victories are inspiring. It makes me proud as a ‘fetus’ filmmaker,” he said, laughing.

Meanwhile, film director-producer Joey Agbayani is celebrating the twin victories of his two short films, “Venganza” and “The Visitor.”

“I am thrilled and honored to be given recognition of excellence from the new generation of filmmakers and industry professionals,” said Agbayani, referring to the organizers of the two festivals that his films participated in.

Scenes from “Venganza”

Best sci fi short

“Venganza” won best sci-fi short and best CGI at the Fright Night Film Fest 2021 in Kentucky, USA; while his micro short film “The Visitor” bagged the best micro short and best editing awards at the Night of the Horror Festival 2021 in Tienen, Belgium.

“Venganza” is an expanded version of “The Visitor.” It tells the story of Mike (portrayed by Percy Val), who in his heart desires power, long life and the need to avenge his father’s death. On the night of a full moon, Mike is awakened by a mysterious intruder. Unexpectedly, his wishes are granted.