Kapuso director Louie Ignacio won Best Director (Global) for Asintado at the recently concluded International Film Festival Manhattan on Oc. 22 in New York.
“God is so good at speechless ako sa stage when I received the award, nakakatawa! Sana suportahan nating mga Pilipino ang indie films! The feeling is so overwhelming!” said Ignacio. Aiko Melendez also won her second international Best Actress Award for the film.
Asintado is Ignacio’s first Indie film and his very first Best Director global award for a movie. It is a story of how a mentally challenged son was pushed to kill a drug dealer by his mother, in order to save his brother who was facing imminent danger for botching a drug deal.
Ignacio was very anxious while waiting for the announcement of winners and he didn’t expect to win at all. “Clueless ako that night at kabado sobra because of the result of the Opening night! Aside from the SRO crowd, ang daming positive reactions and comments from different filmmakers around the world. Tapos yung mga Pinoy in New York nalaman nila na may Taong Putik Festival pala sa Nueva Ecija, di ba nakakatuwa sobra! Sabi ko, ok na kung di manalo sa Best Director, at least malakas na palakpak and very good comments naman ang balik!
Asintado also garnered many international recognitions including a Gold Remi Award ( Best Picture ) for Children’s category at the 48th World Fest Houston (Texas) International Film Festival and a Best Rising Star award for Jake Vargas; Official Selection for International Filmmaker Festival of World Cinema in London and a Best Actress award for Aiko Melendez; Official Selection for Cairo International Film Festival; Official Selection for 2015 Harlem International Film Festival; Official Selection for Queens International Film Festival; and Official Selection for Cleveland International Film Festival.