The black-and-white film Independencia bagged two prizes in the 7th edition of the Bangkok International Film Festival. Imburnal was given a Special Mention in the filmfest that took place in Thailand from September 24-30.



Independencia a film by Raya Martin was the Grand Prize winner in the Southeast Asian Category and the recipient of the NETPAC (Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema) Jury Prize Award. The period film set during the American colonization of the Philippines stars Sid Lucero, Tetchie Agbayani,Mika Aguiluz and Alessandra de Rossi.

Meanwhile, the 2008 Cinema One entry Imburnal a Sherad Anthony Sanchez film shared the Special Mention honor with Malaysian James Lee’s Call If You Need Me.

There are 8 films or entries in the 34th Annual 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival

Iskul Bukol: 20 years after (Tito, Vic & Joey)
Desperadas 2 (Joel Lamangan)
Shake, Rattle & Roll X (Mike Tuviera, Topel Lee)
Ang Tanging Ina Niyong Lahat (Wenn V. Deramas)
Baler (Mark Meily), One Night Only (Jose Reyes)
Magkaibigan (Jinggoy Estrada) and Dayo (Robert Quilao)

Twelve entries were submitted for this year’s festival and the four films that didn’t make the cut are:

Inocencia (Canary Films)
Here Comes The Bride (Octo-Arts)
Maldita (Focus Films)
An untitled horror movie (Star Cinema)