Filipina Actress Bea Alonzo was one of eight actors who received the “Asian Stars Up Next Award” at the 4th International Film Festival & Awards Macao (IFFAM) during the festival’s closing ceremony on Tuesday, December 10. 

The award, which is presented jointly by Variety Magazine and the IFFAM, showcases Asian on-screen talent “who have the skills to become something much bigger in the entertainment industry” and “cross borders onto an international or global stage.” 

“It’s a huge privilege for me to be awarded by Variety as one of the Asian Stars: Up Next,” Alonzo said in her statement to the media. “My hope is for Filipino actors to be able to cross borders and to be known worldwide.”

Speaking of the award at a press conference, Variety's editor Patrick Frater highlighted Asia's growing presence in the international stage. "Changing times have brought Asian actors and directors to the forefront of Hollywood," Frater said, "and Asian films... are now at the forefront of global awareness as well." The stars selected for this award, then, are those who they believe have the potential to become "tomorrow's crossover stars with global or regional power."

By presenting the "Asian Stars Up Next Award," Variety and the IFFAM "use their respective strengths, as a festival showcase and as a global organization, to do something that promotes and develops the film industry of Asia. And to help carry the cream of the Asian industry to foreign shores" Frater said.

Eight stars across Asia, all well established in their respective countries received the honor alongside Bea Alonzo. These were Lien Binh Phat of Vietnam, Asmara Abigail of Indonesia, Praewa Suthamphong and Jennis-Oprasert of Thailand, Ryota Katayose of Japan, Yoona of South Korea, and Bhumi Pednekar of India. 

Left to right: Bea Alonzo, IFFAM Festival Management Head Lorna Tee, and FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño

With this honor, Alonzo joins Piolo Pascual and Anne Curtis as the three Filipino winners of the award since its inception in 2017.

Alonzo gained cross-national stardom with her leading role in Mikhail Red’s Eerie which premiered December 2018 at the 29th Singapore International Film Festival. She received praise from critics for her performance, among them Fred Hawson of ABS-CBN who wrote: “[Alonzo] showed her range off very well...in a genre so different from the romances we are more used to seeing her in.” 

Her illustrious career in the Philippines began in 2002 for the television network ABS-CBN. Since then, she has starred in films such as One More Chance, Four Sisters and a Wedding, A Second Chance, and The Mistress.

Left to right: Liza Diño, Juliette Binoche, and Bea Alonzo

Alonzo accompanies Eduardo 'Dodo' Dayao,' whose Dear Wormwood won the "Best Project" award at the IFFAM Project Market, as a victorious Philippine representative at this year's IFFAM. The festival, which held its fourth iteration from December 5 - 10, aims to "bring together cinematic industries from Asia and the West" and screens close to 50 films annually.

The FDCP, represented by Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño, attended this year's IFFAM as a decision-maker in the IFFAM Project Market to promote the recent FilmPhilippines location incentive. The new initiative comprises of the Film Location Incentive Program (FLIP) and the International Co-Production Fund (ICOF) both of which encourage the growth of the Filipino film industry in cooperation with international film productions by providing qualified films with financial incentives.

Bea Alonzo and 'Best Director' winner Anthony Che