Brillante Mendoza among Southeast Asia’s Top 10 most inspiring filmmakers

November 23 ------ Filipino director Brillante Mendoza has been named one of the “10 Most Inspiring Filmmakers in Southeast Asia” by a Malaysia-based international magazine that annually spotlights notable personalities and industry leaders across the region.

In its latest edition, Top 10 of Asia magazine highlighted Southeast Asia’s evolving film landscape and recognized 10 filmmakers whose works have made significant impacts on global cinema.

Mendoza, described as one of the region’s most influential directors, was included in the random-order list for his trailblazing achievements and his longstanding commitment to championing Philippine stories on the world stage. “Ranked among the world’s top 100 most awarded directors, apart from consistently serving as juror and jury president for film festivals all around the world, he continues to mentor young filmmakers, promote film literacy and champion Philippine cinema through his foundation and workshops,” read the description on the Filipino filmmaker.

Mendoza first gained international prominence with his debut film “Masahista” (2005), which won the Golden Leopard at the Locarno Film Festival. In 2009, he became the first Filipino to win Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival for “Kinatay,” a milestone that cemented his status as a major figure in world cinema. He later received France’s Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres in 2014 for his contributions to the arts.

Top 10 of Asia noted that this year’s list celebrates filmmakers whose works “reshape the very idea of what cinema can achieve,” praising Mendoza for spotlighting Filipino narratives and social issues. Alongside Mendoza, the magazine also honored notable filmmakers from across the region, including Thailand’s Banjong Pisanthanakun, Malaysia’s Tan Chui Mui, Singapore’s Boo Junfeng and Eric Khoo, Indonesia’s Kamila Andini and Garin Nugroho, Taiwan-based Tsai Ming-liang, and globally acclaimed directors Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Trần Anh Hùng.

Source: inquirer.net