Paolo Ballesteros wins Best Actor at Tokyo film fest, accepts award as ‘Julia Roberts’

MANILA, Philippines – Paolo Ballesteros won Best Actor at the Tokyo International Film Festival for his role in Die Beautiful.

The award was given to Paolo on Thursday, November 3.

Competition, Award for Best Actor goes to Paolo Ballesteros in "Die Beautiful" directed by Jun Robles Lana. #TIFFJP pic.twitter.com/yGa4SM76wA

— 東京国際映画祭 TIFFJP (@tiff_site) November 3, 2016

Aside from a tweet from the festival’s official account, Paolo himself also acknowledged his win on Instagram.

In true Paolo fashion, he accepted his award in one of his makeup transformations. This time, he was Julia Roberts.

Paolo Ballesteros is Tokyo’s Best Actor!!!!! #tiffjp #diebeautiful Thanks for Pamela Reyes for this photo!

A photo posted by Jun Robles Lana (@junrobleslana) on Nov 2, 2016 at 11:31pm PDT

Paolo Ballesteros is Tokyo International Film Festival’s Best Actor for DIE BEAUTIFUL. He joins the elite list Filipino actors to win an award from a FIAFP A list festival. Nora Aunor, 1995 Cairo International Film Festival, The Flor Contemplacion Story Eugene Domingo. 2013 Tokyo International Film Festival, Barber’s Tales Therese Malvar, 2016 Moscow International Film Festival, Hamog and Jaclyn Jose, 2016 Cannes Film Festival, Ma’ Rosa… The FIAPF A list accredited competitive feature film festivals are: Berlin, Cannes, Shanghai, Moscow, Karlovy Vary, Locarno, Montreal, Venice, San Sebastian, Warsaw, Tokyo, Tallinn, Cairo, Mar Del Plata and India (Goa)…

A photo posted by Jun Robles Lana (@junrobleslana) on Nov 3, 2016 at 12:29am PDT

TOKYO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL BEST ACTOR! Thank you!!! #DIEbeautiful #TIFFJP #orActress #JuliaRoberts

A photo posted by Paolo Ballesteros (@pochoy_29) on Nov 3, 2016 at 12:03am PDT

“TOKYO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL BEST ACTOR! Thank you!!!” wrote Paolo.

He also posted a photo of himself with the festival’s Best Actress award winner, Lene Cecilia Sparrok. Lene starred in Sami Blood by Swedish-Sami director Amanda Kernell.

Best Actor and the real Best Actress @lenececilia Tokyo International Film Festival #TIFFJP #DIEbeautiful #samiBlood

A photo posted by Paolo Ballesteros (@pochoy_29) on Nov 3, 2016 at 1:45am PDT

Aside from Paolo’s Best Actor award, Die Beautiful, directed by Jun Robles Lana, also won the festival’s Audience Award.

The 29th TIFF Audience Award goes to “Die Beautiful” ! #東京国際映画祭 #TIFFJP https://t.co/v5Ho1rrESn

— 東京国際映画祭 TIFFJP (@tiff_site) November 3, 2016

#DieBeautiful just won the Audience Award here at #tiffjp! We love you, Tokyo!

A photo posted by Jun Robles Lana (@junrobleslana) on Nov 2, 2016 at 7:08pm PDT

The Tokyo International Film Festival ran from October 25 to November 3.

According to the movie’s synopsis published on the Tokyo Film Festival website,Die Beautiful is the story of Trisha, a transgender woman who competes in beauty contests. As part of her request before her death, Trisha’s wish was to remain beautiful. – Rappler.com