Independently produced films took center stage once again as they won major awards in the recently concluded 66th Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (Famas) Awards, held at the Theater at Solaire Resort and Casino on June 10.
Balangiga: Howling Wilderness, a film about the Philippine-American War, was the big winner clinching trophies for best film, best production design and best cinematography. It also bagged the best original screenplay and best original song awards. Meanwhile, Agot Isidro was named best actress for her performance in Changing Partners, while Allen Dizon bagged the best actor prize for playing a deaf-mute in Bomba.
Mon Confiado won the best supporting actor award for Mga Gabing Kasing Haba ng Hair Ko, while Odette Khan was named best supporting actress for Bar Boys.
It’s interesting to note that Khan’s talent is finally being recognized after four decades in the movie industry. Her Famas trophy is her second from a major award-giving body. She received her first acting award from the Philippine Movie Press Club’s Star Awards for Movies in February for the same movie.
For this honor, the veteran actress quipped: “I don’t count the years, I just count the blessings.”
Established in 1952 the Famas Awards has long been considered as one of the most prestigious honors in the Philippine film industry. It’s the oldest existing film award-giving body in the country, and is one of the oldest in Asia (the oldest is the Kinema Junpo Awards in Japan).
Two weeks before the glittering awards night, Famas held a victory party to honor all the nominees in all categories, a first by the award-giving body, to give importance to all performers and stakeholders.
The Famas 2018 jury was headed by the most-awarded screenwriter of Philippine cinema, Ricky Lee, as chairman. The jury members included directors Erik Matti, Mac Alejandre, Eduardo Dayao and Emil Hofileña, Cannes 2016 Best Actress winner Jaclyn Jose, writer Roy Iglesias, writer Oggs Cruz, and academician and writer Patrick Campos.
The awards night executive producer was Megavision’s Donna Sanchez. Piolo Pascual, Kim Chiu and Robi Domingo hosted the awards ceremonies.
The Famas 2018 awards night will be aired on Cinema One on June 30, 3 pm, with replay on July 1 at 10 pm.
Here is the full list of winners:
- Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: Allen Dizon (Bomba)
- Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: Agot Isidro (Changing Partners)
- Actor in a Supporting Role: Mon Confiado (Mga Gabing Kasing Haba ng Hair Ko)
- Actress in a Supporting Role: Odette Khan (Bar Boys)
- Best Picture: Balangiga: Howling Wilderness
- Grand Jury Prize for Short Film: Dory and Aliens Ata
- Best Short Film: Hilom
- Best Documentary Film: Yield
- Best Visual Effects: Iar Arondaing (Instalado)
- Best Sound: Mikko Quizon, Jason Conanan, Kathrine Salinas, John Perez (Nervous Translation)
- Outstanding Achievement in Editing: Victor Delotavo (Yield)
- Outstanding Achievement in Production Design: Marija Vicente, Timmy Harn and Zues Bascon (Balangiga: Howling Wilderness)
- Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography: Albert Banzon (Balangiga: Howling Wilderness)
- Best Original Song: “Katurog Na” (Balangiga: Howling Wilderness)
- Best Musical Score: Jay Oliver Durian (Respeto)
- Best Adapted Screenplay: Vincent de Jesus and Lilit Reyes (Changing Partners)
- Best Original Screenplay: Khavn de la Cruz, Achinette Villamor and Jerry Gracio (Balangiga: Howling Wilderness)
- Outstanding Achievement in Directing: Arnel Barbarona (Tu Pug Imatuy [The Right to Kill])
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Lav Diaz
- Recipients of Grand Jury Prize for Outstanding Film: Tu Pug Imatuy (The Right to Kill) and Respeto
- German Moreno Youth Achievement Award: Awra
- FPJ Memorial Award: Coco Martin
- Dolphy Memorial Award: Vice Ganda
- Male Face of the Night: JC Santos
- Female Face of the Night: Maxx Eigenmann
- Male and Female Stars of the Night: Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto