MANILA, Philippines – Filipino independent film Shift was awarded Grand Prix or Best Picture in the 9th Osaka Asian Film Festival held March 7 to 16 in Osaka, Japan.
The best picture winner received a cash prize of 500,000 yen.
The film, written and directed by Seige Ledesma, follows the story of a Estela (Yeng Constantino), a tomboyish call center agent who develops a connection with her gay colleague Trevor (Felix Roco). While their unconventional relationship blossoms, Estela faces the struggle of finding direction in her career and life.
Shift premiered in the Philippines in November 2013 as part of the Cinema One Originals Film Festival.
Lead actress and musician Yeng Constantino took to Twitter to announce the news and express her happiness at the win.
Wow!!! Our indie film SHIFT won Best Picture in Osaka Film Fest!!!!!!!!! :))) thank yoh Lord!!! So happy for my… http://t.co/2EtQAp6U3n
— Yeng Constantino (@YengPLUGGEDin) March 16, 2014Anita’s Last Cha Cha (Ang Huling Cha Cha ni Anita) by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo also a Filipino independent film, was given special mention.
The film is a coming of age tale about a young lesbian (Teri Malvar), whose childhood crush on an older woman (Angel Aquino) grows years later when they meet at a festival.
The film permiered in the 2013 CineFilipino film festival, where the cast won Best Ensemble and Malvar was awarded Best Actress.
Filipino actress Eugene Domingo was part of this year’s jury. In the Jury Statement, Domingo highlighted how this year’s festival gave merit to a film “for it’s simplicity, honestly and it’s integrity for pushing boundaries.the hardwok put in my filmmakers.”
Domingo’s independent comedy Instant Mommy was shown in this year’s Special Screenings, alongside Miko Livelo’s Blue Bustamante. Jerrold Tarog’s If Only (Sana Dati) was also part of the Competition category.
Domingo is also nominated for Best Actress in this year’s Asian Film Awards for her role in Jun Robles Lana’s Mga Kuwentong Barbero (Barber’s Tales). The 8th Asian Film Awards takes place on March 27 in Macau.
According to its website, the Osaka Asian Film Festival aims to “promote Osaka worldwide as a gateway city of film culture and the film industry, and develop human resources and build a network for film production, screening and distribution in Asia.”
Here are the winners:
- Grand Prix (Best Picture Award): Shift, The Philippines / Director: Siege Ledesma
- Most Promising Talent Award: HA Jung-woo, Korea / Fasten Your Seatbelt Director
- Best Actress Award: Carina LAU, Hong Kong / Bends Leading Actress
- Special Mention: Anita’s Last Cha-Cha, The Philippines / Director: Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo
- ABC Award: Forever Love, Taiwan / Director: KitamuraToyoharu, Shiao Li-shiou
- Audience Award: KANO, Taiwan / Director: Umin Boya
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