Grand winners at QCinema filmfest

The 2014 QCinema International Film Festival Awards night was held successfully last Sunday at the Trinoma Cinema 4 in Quezon City.

Cha Escala and Wena Sanchez’s Nick and Chai was named Best Picture of The Circle Competition, while Mauban: Ang Resiko stars Alessandra de Rossi and Mengie Cobarubias won Best Actress and Best Actor, respectively.

According to Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, the filmfest forms parts of efforts to turn the city into a center of entertainment and the arts. He said, “We want Quezon City to be the entertainment capital and the hub for artists,” adding that they also have plans to host the next Cinemalaya, following reports on the uncertain future of the decade-old filmfest due to financial issues. “There’s initial word already from (Cinemalaya Foundation chairman) Tony Boy Cojuangco and we hope that Cinemalaya will be hosted by Quezon City next year.”

Vice Mayor and QC Film Development Commission chairman Joy Belmonte also said, “As we celebrate the magic of cinema by giving out awards for participating artists and filmmakers, we also celebrate the 75 years of cityhood. Who would have thought that the talahiban in our feature film Alienation would be among the country’s premiere cities today? Similarly, maybe one day the Quezon City International Film Festival will not just be the new kid on the block but also be among the world’s best and most prestigious. We can dream, can’t we? This is after all QCinema.”

The winners for Best Picture received P300,000; Jury Prize, P200,000; Audience Choice, P100,000; and Gender Sensitivity, P100,000.

Here is the complete list of winners:

Audience Choice Award — QCX!

Gender Sensitivity — First ko si Third

Best Actress — Alessandra de Rossi, Mauban: Ang Resiko

Best Actor — Mengie Cobarubias, Mauban: Ang Resiko

NETPAC prize for Best Short Film — Ang Nanay ni Justin Barber!

Special Award (Excellent portrayal of old age) — Senior by Jed Medrano

NETPAC Jury Prize for Best Feature — Ang Di Paglimot ng Alaala

Best Picture (The Circle Competition) — Nick and Chai by Cha Escala and Wena Sanchez.

Special citations were also granted to Ang Di Paglimot sa Alaala for showing grief and loss through a very innovative marriage of fiction and documentary elements and Nick and Chai for presenting an intimate, observational docu about a heart-breaking tale that still manages to convey an inspiring and positive message.

Other celebrity presentors were Bing Pimentel and Dennis Padilla, while Issa Litton hosted the event. The festival will have screenings at Fairview Terraces until tomorrow, Nov. 14 and at Robinsons Magnolia Movieworld from Nov. 15 to 17.