‘Dreamboi’ dominates inaugural CineSilip Film Festival

October 29 ------ The bold spirit of Filipino independent cinema took center stage this month as the inaugural CineSilip Film Festival wrapped up its first edition.

Emerging as the night’s biggest winner was “Dreamboi” by director Rodina Singh, which swept multiple awards, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Production Design, Best Sound, Best Supporting Actor, and the Audience Prize.

Festival judges praised “Dreamboi” for “its precision, clear and confident, without ever feeling restrictive. It’s direct in its message yet elevated by the playfulness of its directorial voice, which adds vibrancy and rhythm to the story.” “‘Dreamboi stands out not just for what it represents, but for how it creates a rare and necessary space – a space where creativity continues to thrive and where voices can still find their way to be heard and celebrated. Cinema cannot just be fearless; it needs to be intimate. And that is the strength of Dreamboi,” the judges added.

In her acceptance speech, Singh said, “I share this award with the other six entries. CineSilip is a historic first — wherever it goes, we’ll always be the ones who started it. I also share this with Dreamboi Tony Labrusca and everyone who supported our films. I don’t know what comes next, but to those who doubted CineSilip, some stories simply refuse to die — they’re just too good.” Singh also received the Audience Prize Award, which she dedicated to the festival’s supporters and queer filmmakers.

Angela Morena won Best Actress for her performance in “Pagdaong,” which also earned 2nd Best Film. In her speech, Morena thanked the local government of Samar, where the film was shot. She added, “Like ‘Pagdaong,’ there are things that happen in our lives, people who come into our lives not to stay but to change us. That’s why I hope the CineSilip Film Festival will be an instrument for change, especially in the film industry.”

Martin del Rosario won Best Actor for “Haplos sa Hangin,” which placed 3rd Best Film and also received awards for Best Musical Score (Paulo Almaden) and Best Screenplay (Sonny Calvento and Mikko Baldoza). “I hope that after this festival, the stigma surrounding erotic movies — that they only highlight sex scenes without a story — will finally disappear. We can create sex scenes that also tell a story. I hope everyone, including institutions, will be more progressive in our thinking about sex, sexuality, and gender identity,” del Rosario said.

Source: manilatimes.net