Brillante Mendoza Film Workshop 2016 at SM Aura Premier

Shortly before he left for the 69th Cannes Film Festival where he brought us much honors, multi-awarded Director Brillante Mendoza held the Awards Night of his third Film Workshop at the Samsung Hall of SM Aura Premier.

Vanju Alvaira's Ang Guro, a story of a senior citizen teacher about to retire, and Daniel Palacio's Idolo, the story of a new salesman who gets inspired by a colleague's achievements, only to realize the true meaning of success s shared honors for the Best Picture Award. Palacio was also named Best Director for Idolo.

Rona Mae Lallana who played the mysterious Igorota in Strawberry Girl was named Best Actress, while Elijah Filamor from Idolo won the Best Actor award.

Special Awards were given to two other films: Nimrod John B. Sarmiento's Repleksyon, which was named the Samsung Noteworthy Film Award and Vanju Alvaira of Ang Guro for the SM People's Choice Award.

The event was also highlighted by the showing of the trailers of Brillante Mendoza's Ma Rosa, which competed in the Main Competition, and Imago, a short film by Raymund Gutierrez, which competed in the Short Film Category of the 69th Cannes Film Festival.

Now on its 3rd year, The Brillante Mendoza Film Workshop is a joint project of Centerstage Productions and SM Aura Premie, with support from Samsung, Goldilocks and Max's Restaurant. It is an intensive 7-day workshop for Directing with introduction to Cinematography, Production Design and Editing, and Acting facilitated by Director Brillante Mendoza himself. This years' batch showcased a total of 7 films: Balitok, Ang Guro, Repleksyon, Idolo, Sarah, Channel 8, and Strawberry Girl, which highlighted new film ideas and engaging cinematic techniques.

The Brillante Mendoza Film Workshop is part of Director Mendoza's advocacy to rethink and redefine cinema by sharing his knowledge and experience in filmmaking with a new generation. "This is also my way of giving back and training new generations of film makers and storytellers," said the director, who is known for his advocacies and groundbreaking films that tackle social issues.

Ang Guro and Idolo tied for the Best Film award during the recent Brillante Mendoza Film Workshop. Ang Guro director Vanju Alvaira (3rd from left) and Idolo director Daniel Palacio (4th) are shown with Director Brillante Mendoza, SM SVP for Marketing Millie Dizon, Samsung Mobile Sales Head Annaise Fagrante, and Rene Durian.

Director Brillante Mendoza showed the trailer of his latest masterpiece Ma'Rosa during the event before it went on to compete at the 69th Cannes Film Festival and bring us much honor.

Raymund Ribay Guiterrez's short film, Imago, was a finalist in the Short Film Competition of the Cannes Film Festival. Raymond won the Best Director Award during the first Brillante Mendoza Film Workshop in 2014 for his film Anggulo.