Judy Ann’s film wins MMFF gender award

The Quezon City government’s awarded last Friday night the film Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo with the Most Gender-Sensitive Film Award during the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) awards ceremonies at the Aliw Theater in Manila.

Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista, who represented Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. personally handed the award to the producers of the film which starred Judy Ann "Juday" Santos.

Vying for this year’s Most Gender-Sensitive Award were Enteng Kabisote 3, Ligalig, Zsa Zsa Zatuhrrnah; Matakot Ka sa Karma; Mano Po 5 ; Super Noypi; Tatlong Baraha and Shake, Rattle and Roll 8.

A five-member panel of Quezon City residents who are experts in different areas of film, media and gender issues made the recommendation to the festival’s executive committee for the coveted award.

The two main criteria are representation of gender roles (75 percent); covering characterization, realism of context/situation and relevance to gender issues such as violence against women, empowerment, discrimination, and how the characters rise above such issues as roles. Cinematic techniques constitute the other 25 percent.

The QC government conceived the Most Gender-Sensitive Film Award in an effort to counter films that glorify violence especially against women and children.

The award is an annual project of the Quezon City government’s Gender and Development Council, led by its chairman Mayor Belmonte, and the Gender and Development Resource Coordinating Office, through its Executive Director May Ruby Palma and Ms. Joy Belmonte-Alimurong, chair of the Awards Steering Committee.

The award comes with a trophy handcrafted by artist Sandra Torrijos and P50,000, cash.

Through the award, the city government hopes to set a standard of excellence in gender equality for local producers and filmmakers, as well as increase the public’s awareness of gender biases and issues.

Past winners include Blue Moon in 2005; Aisthite Imasu in 2004 (both produced by Regal Films) and Homecoming of Teamworks Productions in 2003. — Perseus Echeminada