Director Alvin Yapan’s back-to-back WPFF win

Director Alvin Yapan said he was surprised to have bagged the best picture trophy for “Edsa” on Sunday night’s 2016 World Premieres Film Festival (WPFF) awards ceremony because he didn’t expect to be “so lucky to win twice in a row.”

“Last year’s jury already gave the same award to me so my expectation for this film wasn’t that high,” he said during the after-party held at the Cinematheque Center in Ermita, Manila.

The film, which competed in the Filipino New Cinema section of the WPFF, bagged four other awards—best sound for Corinne de San Jose; best editing, Benjamin Tolentino; best cinematography, Ronald Rebutica; and special citation for acting ensemble.

Last year, he also won the best picture trophy for “An Kubo sa Kawayanan,” starring Mercedes Cabral, who snatched the best actress plum then.

“Edsa” recently received endorsements from the Department of Education and the People Power Commission, said Yapan. It is now touring Metro Manila schools, and later those in the provinces as well.

Another big winner was Rahyan Carlos’ “Ringgo: The Dog-Shooter” with four awards—second best picture; best actress, Janice de Belen; best actor, Sandino Martin; and best screenplay, Ricky Lee.

“Iadya Mo Kami,” by Mel Chionglo, received the special jury prize. It was also cited for best musical score by Emerson Tecson and best production design by Edgar Martin Littaua. Lead star Aiko Melendez said one of the most challenging aspects of making the project was the 16-hour ride to get to its set in Benguet.

The documentary “Curiosity, Adventure and Love,” codirected by Sunshine de Leon Lichauco and Suzanne Richiardone, also got special jury prize. Lichauco dedicated the project to her 104-year-old grandmother Jessie, who also plays the lead role.

The Vietnamese film “Yen’s Life” by  Dinh Tuan Vu snatched the Grand Festival Prize in the Main Competition category.

The grand jury prize (main competition) went to the Philippine entry “Daughters of the Three Tailed Banner” by Gutierrez “Teng” Mangansakan II. It also took home the best artistic contribution plum.

“This is my way of giving back to the people of Bangsamoro, to the people of Mindanao,” said Mangansakan in his acceptance speech. “There was even a time, while we were already on location, our producer had to resort to writing on Facebook to beg for money. Thirty people were on the set with nothing to eat the next day. People heeded our call for help to make this film.”

Malaysia’s “Redha” by Tunku Mona Riza won special festival prize, and best actress for its lead star, June Lojong. Tunku dedicated the film, about raising a son with autism, “to parents who want to be heard.”

Tunku said she was pleased that members of the Autism Society Philippines attended the movie’s gala premiere.

France’s “By Accident” by Camille Fontaine won two awards—best ensemble performance and best actress for Emilie Dequenne.

Spain’s “Love Above All Things” received the technical grand prize and the best actor award for Israel Elejalde.

The winners in the Intercontinental section were: “The Storm Inside” (France), best film; Gua Xiaodong for “Pleasure. Love” (China); best male performance; Marina Fois for “The Storm Inside” (France) best female performance;  “Parasol” (Belgium), technical achievement.

The winners in the Asean Skies category were: “Beast” (Philippines/Australia), best film; “Laut” (Philippines), special jury prize; Chad McKinney for “Beast,” best male performance; Angela Barotia for “Remittance” (Philippines), best female performance; “Beast,” technical achievement.

The 2016 WPFF runs up to July 10.

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