'Filipiñana' wins special jury award at Sundance Film Festival

"Filipiñana" won the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Creative Vision at this year's Sundance Film Festival.

Written and directed by Rafael Manuel, the film stars Jorrybell Agoto as Isabel. It is a collaboration between the Philippines, Singapore, United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands.

Screenings also sold-out at Sundance.

"With stunning visual command and sensitivity to the setting, the filmmaker thoughtfully evokes a world where characters languish. Through its static form, the filmmaker highlights insidious tension between luxury and labor," the jury citation said about the film.

"Filipiñana" follows a golf-tee girl named Isabel at a Philippine country club. She is strangely drawn to Dr. Palanca, the president of the club. Isabel soon discovers the violence in the club and their connection from the past.

"Filipiñana" had its world premiere in 2020 at the Berlinale International Film Festival as part of the shorts competition. It won the Silver Bear Short Film Jury Prize at the festival.

It was also awarded the Grand Prix nod from Encounters Film Festival, Best Short Film at the Festival Du Nouveau Cinema De Montreal, Best British Short Film at the British Independent Film Awards, Best Student Short Film at Molodist Kyiv International Film Festival, and the Best Film in the Asia International Competition and the George Lucas Grand Prix for Best of Show at Short Shorts Film Festival Asia. —Nika Roque/MGP, GMA Integrated News