Young blood, high blood at the CineFilipino

HALF in earnest, half in jest, filmmaker Lemuel Lorca had his blood pressure checked by the on-site paramedic team after the CineFilipino Film Festival awards night, held on Saturday at the Kia Theatre in Quezon City.

You can forgive Lorca for feeling a tad exhilarated, because his entry, “Ned’s Project,” had just romped away with six trophies—best picture, production design (JP Sapitula), screenplay (John Bedia), cinematography (Tey Clamor), supporting actress (Max Eigenmann) and actress (for Angeli Bayani, who played the titular heroine, a lesbian tattoo artist who wants to have a baby).

A day after the ceremony, Lorca told the Inquirer: “The awards are just a bonus. The real prize is that we touched people’s lives—that we got to finish the film and see the audience laugh and cry.”

Indeed, shooting “Ned’s Project” was an epic journey for Lorca—who had to report on the set hooked to a dextrose. In the middle of the shoot, he landed in the hospital due to a bum stomach.

In his acceptance speech, he made a pitch for a safe and healthy working environment in the entertainment industry—echoing the sentiments of third best picture winner Randolph Longjas of “Star na si Van Damme Stallone.”

Debuting director Ice Idanan was just as ecstatic as Lorca after her entry, “Sakaling Hindi Makarating,” won second best picture and six other trophies: best director and cinematographer (for Idanan), actor (Pepe Herrera), musical score (Mon Espia), sound (Raffy Magsaysay) and editor (Hannah Espia).

“I only made this film because I wanted to tell a personal story,” Idanan said. “I am so glad that the efforts of our 15-man team were recognized.”

Idanan, Clamor and (Hannah) Espia are among the female filmmakers who topped categories that were traditionally regarded as male-dominated.

Madonna Tarrayo, festival director, said, “Skills, competence and creativity are genderless. And the festival has proven that both in front of and behind the camera, women rule!”

Just as jubilant were best actress cowinners, Candy Pangilinan (“Van Damme Stallone”) and Bayani (“Ned’s Project”). Bayani dedicated her triumph to the LGBTQ community.