Cinemalaya 2018’s Best Film for the full-length category Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon directed by Carlo Enciso Catu and Cinemalaya 2018 finalist School Service directed by Louie Ignacio took home major prizes at the recently concluded 39th Fantasporto-Oporto International Film Festival in Porto, Portugal that ran from February 19 to March 3, 2019.

Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon movie poster

Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon won the Special Jury Prize under the Directors Week official selection, and School Service received the Special Jury Prize under the Orient Express official selection.

School Service movie poster

Actors also shone during the film festival and were given special recognition for the convincing portrayal of their characters, including Dante Rivero for winning the Best Actor award for Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon. Meanwhile, Ina Raymundo and Ai-Ai delas Alas tied for the Best Actress award for Kuya Wes directed by James Mayo and School Service, respectively.

Ina Raymundo in Kuya Wes

Ai-Ai delas Alas in School Service

To further elevate the Philippine film industry’s progress, the FDCP offered visa assistance to the Filipino representatives for Fantasporto through its International Film Festival Assistance Program (IFFAP) under the International Relations Division.

The Philippine Embassy in Portugal also provided support by hosting a cocktail reception for the participating Philippine delegation and attending their screenings. Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Celia Anna Feria said, “It was my honor and pleasure as the Philippine Ambassador to support and promote the Philippine participation in film festivals in Portugal, especially Fantasporto, which is a major platform for Asian art house films in Europe. The participation of the Philippine films and Filipino actors and their awards speak volumes of the high-caliber of the arts in the Philippines.”

Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Celia Anna Feria at the cocktail reception for Filipino delegates in Fantasporto-Oporto International Film Festival (Photo from Philippine Embassy in Portugal's Facebook page)

“We in the Philippine Embassy in Lisbon will be more than happy to extend any possible assistance to our film industry and will make the necessary representations in Portugal to bring across the message that the Philippine film industry is among the best in the world,”Ambassador Feria added.

The Fantasporto-Oporto International Film Festival showcases quality fantasy films from all over the world. Themed “The Challenges of Modernity”, hundreds of shorts and features from 54 countries have been featured at the film festival this year.