John Lloyd Cruz wins Best Lead Performance at QCinema 2024

John Lloyd Cruz wins Best Lead Performance at QCinema 2024 | Image: INQUIRER.net/Jessica Ann Evangelista

John Lloyd Cruz took home the Best Lead Performance trophy for his role in “Moneyslapper” at the 2024 QCinema awarding ceremony on Wednesday night, Nov. 13. 

In his acceptance speech, Cruz dedicated his win to the film’s director, Bor Ocampo, as well as to his mother whom he gave a shoutout to.

“This is for you, Bor. Cheers to you. Don’t stop making movies. Even if you stop, don’t stop learning about yourself,” he said.

“Para sa nanay ko. Para sa lahat ng dinulot kong sakit sa nanay ko. Para sa lahat ng problemang dinulot ko. Para sa lahat ng mali. Kung wala lahat ng ‘yon, wala tayo lahat dito,” added the actor.

(For my mother. For all the pain I caused her. For all the trouble I caused. For everything wrong. Without all of that, we wouldn’t be here.)

“Moneyslapper” follows Daniel (Cruz), a young man who abandons his motherland after winning the biggest cash prize in the history of the Philippine lottery. Cruz plays the titular role in “Moneyslapper,” one of the 77 entries, which includes 22 short films and 55 full-length films, to this year’s QCinema.

LOOK: John Lloyd Cruz takes home the Asian Next Wave Best Lead Performance Award for his role in “Moneyslapper” at the 2024 QCinema awarding ceremony on Wednesday night, Nov. 13.

He shares the win with Indonesian actress Shenina Cinnamon of “Tale of the Land.” @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/iekOXc6wlz

— Jessica Ann Evangelista (@JessEINQ) November 13, 2024

Cruz shares the Best Performance award with Indonesian actress Shenina Cinnamon, who plays the lead in the thriller drama film “Tale of the Land.”

Meanwhile, “Viet and Nam” from director Trương Minh Quý bagged Best Picture, while Best Screenplay was awarded to “Happyend” by Neo Sora from Japan.

The RainbowQC Prize, the festival’s distinctive section celebrating the LGBTQ experience, awarded its Best Film prizes to two titles, “Baby” by Marcelo Caetano from Brazil and “Sebastian” from British-Finnish director Mikko Mäkelä. A special mention went to Hiroshi Okuyama for the Japanese entry, “My Sunshine.”.

For its QCShorts International competition, the Best Short Film went to “Kinakausap ni Celso ang Diyos” by Gilb Baldoza, while the Jury Prize was given to “WAShhh,” from Malaysia/Ireland by Mickey Lai. “Are We Still Friends?” by Al Ridwan received a special mention and “RAMPAGE!” (o ang parada) by Kukay Bautista took home the Gender Sensitivity Award.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese filmmaker Dương Diệu Linh won the Grand Jury Prize for her debut, “Don’t Cry Butterfly.”