Tanabata´s Wife, a period romance story between a Japanese farmer and a Cordilleran woman, bagged the most number of awards, including Best Picture at the 2018 ToFarm Film Festival ceremony held at the Rizal Ballroom of Makati Shangrila Hotel on Saturday night.
The film, which is based on a short story of the same title by Sinai Hamada, received a cash prize of P500,000, and a total of nine awards including Best Director for Charlson Ong, Lito Casaje, and Choy Pangilinan, Best Actress for Mai Fanglayan, Best Actor for Miyuki Kamimura, Best Screenplay, Best Musical Score, Best Cinematography for Nap Jamir, Best Editing for May-I Padilla, Best Production Design for Martin Asadao,
Hubert Tibi´s 1957 got the second best picture award and a cash prize of P400,000. Tibi also won Best Story.
Keith Sicat’s Alimuom won the third best picture trophy and a cash prize of P300,000. The Audience Choice award was given to Roman Perez Jr.’s Sol Searching.
Jury members for the full-length competition were Manet Dayrit (chairperson), Jerrold Tarog, Sigrid Andrea Bernardo, Moira Lang, and Mel Chionglo.
The short films’ winners were chosen by Director Raymond Red and Cesar Hernando.
Best Actress winner Mai Fanglayan hails from Baguio City and this is her first film ever. Best Actor winner Miyuki Kamimura is a Japanese actor and he’s delighted to have worked with the Filipino filmmakers in the Philippines.
After 25 years, Richard Quan finally bagged his second acting award. His first was from his first film Saan Ka Man Naroroon as New Actor of the Year from the PMPC Star Awards for Movies.
Among the performers during the awarding ceremonies were Dulce and Bituin Escalante (who sang a musical tribute for Director Maryo J. Delos Reyes, original festival director in its first two years).
Executive producer is Dr. Milagros How, festival director is Bibeth Orteza, managing director is Director Joey Romero.
The film festival ended its run yesterday, Sept. 18, in Trinoma, Gateway, Greenbelt 1, SM Megamall, SM Manila, Robinsons Galleria, Gaisano Davao, and Ayala Legazpi.
Check out the official Facebook fan page updates and the complete list of winners.