Here are the big winners and heavy-hitters of Cinemalaya 2022
Not only is Cinemalaya back with its much-awaited on-screen screenings this August, but it also held its first Awards Night for the first time in two years on Sunday, August 14.
Cinemalaya 2022 has awarded the local filmmakers, writers, and actors that stood out and will take their place in the independent film festival's list of winners through the years.
Eleven finalists selected from the 2020 and 2021 editions of the festival competed in the full-length category while 12 films vied for prize in the short film category.
Short film category
Zig Dulay's short film Black Rainbow was the short film heavy-hitter for the night, nabbing the category's Best Screenplay, NETPAC Award, and the festival's Best Short Film Award.
Black Rainbow follows the story of a group of young Aetas who are fighting for their ancestral lands. It was directed, written, and edited by Dulay, who also won the Best Editing Award for The Baseball Player
The winner for #Cinemalaya18 BEST FILM AWARD in the Short Film Category is
— Cinemalaya (@cinemalayaoffcl) August 14, 2022
BLACK RAINBOW by ZIG DULAY#Cinemalaya2022 pic.twitter.com/fLlhMnt22U
Full-length features
Another heavy-hitter is the full-length film Blue Room helmed by Ma-an L. Asuncion-Dagñalan and starring Juan Karlos, Harvey Bautista, Nourijune, Keoni Jin, and Elijah Canlas.
The film earned the highest number of wins with Best Production Design, Best Cinematography,’ the ‘Special Jury Award’, and Best Supporting Actor for Soliman Cruz. Asuncion-Dagñalan also won Best Director.
The film follows the members of Rebel Rebel, an indie rock band, that is charged with illegal drug possession and must decide whether to use their privilege or own up to what they have been preaching.
The winner for #Cinemalaya18 SPECIAL JURY AWARD in the Full Length Main Competition Feature Film Category is
— Cinemalaya (@cinemalayaoffcl) August 14, 2022
BLUE ROOM by Ma-an L. Asuncion Dagñalan#Cinemalaya2022 pic.twitter.com/jnwSeH5zqZ
Taking home the big awards of the night was Carlo Obispo's Baseball Player starring Tommy Alejandrino, JM San Jose, Tess Antonio, and Don Melvin Boongaling,
Baseball Player won Best Film, Best Screenplay, and Best Actor Award for Tommy Alejandrino. The entire cast joined the CCP stage to receive the awards.
“Magpapatuloy tayo sa pag kwento ng mga kwento na hindi masiyado tinatalakay sa mainstream,” Obispo proclaimed after claiming their win.
The winner for #Cinemalaya18 BEST FILM AWARD in the Full Length Main Competition Feature Film Category is
— Cinemalaya (@cinemalayaoffcl) August 14, 2022
THE BASEBALL PLAYER by CARLO OBISPO#Cinemalaya2022 pic.twitter.com/mXcAu8IVz2
Meanwhile, Cinemalaya returned to the CCP grounds after two years of online events and activities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The film festival screened 11 full-length film entries and 12 short features, with the award-winning Martika Ramirez Escobar title Leonor Will Never Die serving as this year's opening film.
Check out the full list of winners here:
MAGANDANG ARAW! Narito na ang kumpletong listahan ng mga nagsipagwagi kagabi sa CINEMALAYA 18: BREAKING THROUGH THE NOISE AWARDS NIGHT.#Cinemalaya2022 #Cinemalaya18 pic.twitter.com/dtU1x4ov5m
— Cinemalaya (@cinemalayaoffcl) August 15, 2022
The competing films are currently being shown in select partner cinemas nationwide until August 16 ahead of regional screenings.
Cinemalaya will also have an online run in October via CCP's Vimeo account.
