THE Quezon City government under the administration of Mayor Herbert Bautista recently held the 5th QCinema International Film Festival awards night as part of the celebration of the city’s 78th foundation anniversary.
“Local cinematography continues to be a source of pride and wholesome entertainment. All the participating movies fully deserve commendation, especially when locally produced films and our outstanding actors and actresses are now being acclaimed by international award-giving bodies during these festivals,” said Bautista, Quezon City Film Development Commission chairperson.
The QCinema International Film Festival competition has four categories—the Circle Competition featuring eight local full-length films, QC Shorts for eight short films, Asian Next Wave Competition and the newly added Rainbow QC composed of six local and international films for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
The city government started the QCinema International Film Festival in 2013 to celebrate and showcase the unique and exemplary Filipino traditions through cinematography and also to support the national government’s campaign against movie piracy.
Acting Mayor Joy Belmonte led the QCinema awards night organized by the Quezon City Film Development Commission held Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017 at Novotel Manila, Araneta Center, Cubao.
The QCinema International Film Festival competition has four categories: the ‘Circle Competition’ which features eight local full-length films, ‘QC Shorts’ for eight short films, Asian Next Wave Competition and the newly added ‘Rainbow QC’ composed of six local and international films for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community.
Circle competition is the main highlight of QCinema which vies for the Pylon awards in recognition to the talent and creativity of Filipino film producers and directors.
The Circle Competition Best Picture went to “BALANGIGA: Howling Wilderness” directed by Khavn, who also bagged the Best Director award.
“Dapol Tan Payawar Na Tayug 1931 (The Ashes and Ghosts of Tayug 1931)” by Christopher Gozum won the Circle Competition NETPAC Jury award.
The Chanters directed by James Robin Mayo received the Best Screenplay.
Neomanila directed by Mikhail Red garnered the QCinema Audience Choice and Best Artistic Achievement awards.
Filmmaker Emerson Reyes, the creator of “Dormitoryo (Walang Katapusang Kwarto),” received the Circle Competition Gender Sensitivity award.
Justine Samson of BALANGIGA: Howling Wilderness won Best Actor, while Jally Nae Gilbaliga of The Chanters earned the Best Actress award. Pio Del Rio of BALANGIGA: Howling Wilderness was hailed as the Best Supporting Actor and Sheenly Gener from “Dormitoryo (Walang Katapusang Kwarto)” got the Best Supporting Actress award.
Meanwhile, the QC Shorts Best Picture award was received by Babylon directed by Keith Deligero.
“Gikan Sa Ngitngit Nga Kinailadman” by Kiri Dalena won the QC Shorts Jury Prize.
The Asian Next Wave Best Film was given to Mouly Surya’s ‘Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts’. While, the Snow Woman by Kiki Sugino gained the Asian Next Wave Jury Prize.
QCinema has recognized “Close-Knit” by Naoko Ogigami as the Rainbow QC Best Picture and the Beach Rats by Eliza Hittman received the Rainbow QC Jury Prize was awarded.
The Quezon City government started the QCinema International Film Festival in 2013 to celebrate and showcase the unique and exemplary Filipino traditions through cinematography and also to support the national government’s campaign against movie piracy.