MANILA, PHILIPPINES, FEBRUARY 3, 2021 — Despite the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, Philippine Cinema was still able to gain various accolades in the global arena in 2020.

The Filipino filmmakers, actors, and films that received international recognitions from established film festivals and award-giving bodies over the past year will be honored in the 5th Film Ambassadors’ Night (FAN).

In support of National Arts Month of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) will hold this year’s FAN online on February 28. It is supported by the Cultural Center of the Philippines through the participation of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. 

The FAN is an annual gathering since 2017 organized by the FDCP that recognizes filmmakers whose international victories have brought honor to the country. Due to persisting restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 crisis, the FAN will be streamed live for free exclusively at the FDCP Channel. Viewers will just have to sign up for free at the FDCP Channel streaming platform.

“Verdict” director Raymund Ribay Gutierrez at FAN 2020 

“Mindanao” actress Judy Ann Santos at FAN 2020

FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño remarked, “We laud the honorees for their artistry and perseverance, and these were not hindered even when the global cinema industry suffered so much. Our filmmakers still managed to put the spotlight on Philippine Cinema amid the pandemic, and for that we are grateful.”

She continued, “We are also humbled and honored because of the FDCP’s collaborations with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and Cultural Center of the Philippines for the first-ever virtual FAN. This shows how much the government values our filmmakers and the rest of the country’s artists.”

The FAN has recognized more than 266 filmmakers in four editions. In 2020, the A-List Winners roster, pertaining to those won in A-List international film festivals, included “Verdict” by Raymund Ribay Gutierrez which won the Special Jury Prize in the Horizons (Orizzonti) section of the Venice International Film Festival in Italy. 

The other A-List Winners were “Mindanao” director Brillante Mendoza who won for Best Artistic Contribution at the Cairo International Film Festival in Egypt, “Mindanao” lead Judy Ann Santos who was the Cairo Best Actress, “Aswang” by Alyx Ayn Arumpac which won the FIPRESCI Prize in the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) in the Netherlands, and Jun Robles Lana who won Best Director for “Kalel, 15” at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia. 

FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño, “Aswang” producer Armi Rae Cacanindin, and DILG Undersecretary Martin Diño at FAN 2020

FAN 2020 Camera Obscura Awardees Nick Deocampo, Ricky Lee, and Cathy Garcia-Molina at FAN 2020

Apart from recognizing the country’s international award winners of the past year, the FDCP also bestows during the FAN its highest honor called the Camera Obscura Artistic Excellence Award for icons, trailblazers, and legends.

The Camera Obscura Award recipients in 2020 were Cathy Garcia-Molina for being the highest-grossing Filipino Film director, Nick Deocampo for being the vanguard of Filipino film history and education, and Ricky Lee for being an awarded scriptwriter and dedicated mentor to the next generation of scriptwriters. 

On February 28, a new batch of Filipino film ambassadors will be duly recognized to be led by the Camera Obscura Awardees and A-Listers. Among the other FAN categories are Short Films, Documentaries, Technical Awards, Acting Awards, and Feature Films.  

Cover photo features FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño and 2020 Camera Obscura Awardee Ricky Lee at FAN 2020