MANILA, Philippines - Bakal Boys (Children Metal Divers) won the Chiaputti Award in Torino, Italy for best portraying the “World of Work.”
Comics artist and Italian living legend Chiaputti, who has been giving this award for the last 12 years, is very happy that this year, the winner dealt with the Global Problem of Child Labor.
Director Ralston Jover and executive producer Bessie Badilla were in Torino and accepted the award.
Direk Ralston and Bessie also attended the Thessaloniki International Film Festival in Greece where the film was given a Special Mention for its screenplay and subject.
The trophy for the Chiaputti Award weighs four kilos. A cash prize of Euro 5,000 goes with it.
Bakal Boys also won a Special Mention in the Vancouver International Film Festival last October.
The film’s representatives are on their way to Stockholm and will proceed to London for the Asia Film House. Then, they’ll go to Estonia for the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.
Bakal Boys stars Gina Pareño and is written by Ralston Jover and Henry Burgos. It is produced by Bessie Badilla and Albert Almendralejo.
It is represented locally and internationally by Ignatius Film Canada.