Women of the Weeping River tops QCinema fest

THE FOURTH installment of Quezon City’s annual independent film festival saw seven fulllength features alongside eight short features vying for awards, with Sheron Dayoc’s Women of

the Weeping River winning three of the major awards including the coveted Circle Competition for Best Picture.

Alongside the Best Picture win, the film about the armed conflict in Mindanao seen through the eyes of a widow, also earned the Best Actress for Laila Ulao, triumphing over festival favorites, Nora Aunor for her work in Hinulid and Jaclyn Jose for Patay na si Hesus. Women of the Weeping River’s

Taha Daranda also won the award for Best Supporting Actor for the film.

QCinema is ongoing until Oct. 22, with screenings at TriNoma, Gateway Cinemas, Robinsons Galleria and UP Town Center. Screening schedules are available at the QCinema Web site.

The full list of winners follows:

• Circle Competition Best Picture: Women of the Weeping River

• Netpac Jury Prize for Best Picture: Baboy Halas

• Asian Next Wave Best Film: The Apprentice

• #QCShorts Jury Prize: Papa’s Shadow

• Best Short Film: Hondo

• Audience Choice Award for Short film: Contestant #4

• Audience Choice Award for Feature Film: Patay na si Hesus

• Best Director: Prime Cruz,

Ang Manananggal sa Unit 23B

• Best Actor: JC de Vera, Best. Partee. Ever.

• Best Actress: Laila Ulao, Women of the Weeping River

• Best Supporting Actress: Vangie Labalan, Ang Manananggal sa Unit 23B

• Best Supporting Actor: Taha Daranda, Women of the Weeping River

• Best Screenplay: Joseph Laban and Denise o’ Hara, Purgatoryo

• Gender Sensitivity Award: Patay na si Hesus

• Best Artistic Contribution: Cinematography, Baboy Halas

• Special Citation: By The Time It Gets Dark, Anocha Suwichakornpong —