MMFF celebrates LGBT community during awards night, ‘Rainbow’s Sunset’ wins big

“#MMFF2018 – Best Picture:
RAINBOW’S SUNSET by Heaven’s Best Entertainment” (Photo: CinemaBravo/Facebook)

“Rainbow’s Sunset,” which revolves around a gay elderly couple, received eleven out of 24 awards, including, Best Picture, Best Director Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award, Best Screenplay, Best Production Design, and Best Original Theme Song. Gloria Romero received Best Actress, Tony Mabesa bagged Best Supporting Actor, Aiko Melendez won Best Supporting Actress, while Eddie Garcia and Max Collins both received the Special Jury Prize for the movie.

When accepting his Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award on behalf of all artists, Joel Lamagan expressed his thoughts on the local film industry, saying in Filipino, “I hope that the commercial is not the only thing [people] think about. I hope movie theaters also respect art and the industry.”

Coming in at second, receiving five awards is Yam Laranas’ horror/drama/thriller “Aurora,” starring Anne Curtis. The entry went home with titles Second Best Picture, Best Visual Effects, Best Sound Design, Best Cinematography, and Best Child Performance by Phoebe Villamor.

Students from Bulacan State University were present as well to receive their award for Best Short Student Film with their entry “Kasilyas.”

Other MMFF 2018 entries include “Fantastica,” “The Girl in the Orange Dress,” “Jack Em Popoy: The Puliscredibles,” “Mary, Marry Me,” “One Great Love,” and “Otlum.” The 44th edition of the MMFF will continue to show in cinemas until January 7, 2019.