Belle Kay Loyola’s Dalit (Poison) and Leyvie Anne Santos’ In-Tay won a total of five awards at the 6th Nabunturan Independent Film Exhibition (Nabifilmex 6) in Compostela Valley, Mindanao last Sept. 21.
Dalit and In-Tay are capstone projects from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Design and Arts. Loyola graduated from the Digital Filmmaking program last year while Santos is set to march at the Benilde commencement exercises on Oct. 6.
Dalit, which tells the story of a man with special healing abilities who uses his power for his own benefit, got Best Production Design for Noel Amorcillo, Jr. and Best Cinematography for Vic Ryan Julius Ong.
Meanwhile, In-Tay, which is about a daughter raised by lesbian parents, won Best Actress (Fe Saligumba), Best Song (Korona by Mark Robina Ortiguero) and Best Acting Ensemble (Saligumba and her co-stars, child performer Caith Annika Angkay, Ruth Lopez-Dee, Jessica Marco and Reggie Caranyagan) in a triple tie with Rose by Jessa Valer-Sanchez and Yano at ang Itim na Watawat by Arnie Valdez.
Both films were also nominated for the Gimadyawan Award for Best Film and Best Director. Dalit also received nominations for Best Sound (Louie Dormido, Dan Alayon and Aica Guevarra) and Best Actor (John Arceo) while In-Tay got another Best Actress nod for Angkay and Best Screenplay nomination for Santos.
“It’s a great honor to be part of this festival knowing the number of wins and nominations Dalit got. I would like to thank Nabifilmex for recognizing my thesis film,” Loyola shared.
Santos, on the other hand, dedicated her film’s victory mainly to her parents. “My film In-Tay has always been so close to my heart. However, in the process of turning the screenplay into a film, it became a film that is not just for my parents but for everyone who dreams to have a complete family. It is a film that talks about honesty, family, love and contentment.”
“Honestly, I came to a point that I doubted the capacity of my own film not realizing that I, together with all the people behind it, poured their hearts to In-Tay ever since I started writing it. I am thankful to Nabifilmex for opening such a great opportunity for filmmakers to explore our capacities and express our hearts,” she added.
Nabifilmex, recognized as one of the leading regional film festivals, is supported by National Commission for Culture and the Arts and Film Development Council of the Philippines.
