Photo credit: Dingdong Dantes instagram @dongdantes
In a dazzling ceremony at the Directors Guild of America on Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) concluded its inaugural edition with a tie for the Best Actor award between Filipino stars Dingdong Dantes (“Rewind”) and Piolo Pascual (“Mallari”). The event, which showcased the 10 official entries from the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival in Hollywood, also saw “Firefly” sweep major awards, including Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actress.
“Rewind” clinched Best Supporting Actor (Pepe Herrera), breaking its previous winless streak at the MMFF, while Vilma Santos earned Best Actress for “When I Met You in Tokyo.” “Becky & Badette” received the Special Jury Prize. The MIFF, independent from the MMFF awards in the Philippines, featured accomplished Filipino Americans as jurors. MIFF co-founder Janet Nepales expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support and emphasized the festival’s aim to spotlight Philippine cinema during Hollywood’s awards season.
