‘Front Row’ Executive Producer wins in 2015 Gwangju Int'l Film Festival

Derick Cabrido, director of the indie film “Children’s Show” never thought he would win in the 2015 Gwangju International Film Festival. He did not even go to the awards night thinking veteran directors who also joined the film fest would beat his entry.

“Hindi ko kasi in-expect [na mananalo kami],” he said.

To his surprise, “Children’s Show” was awarded the Grand Prize in the Humanity Vision category of the film fest. In this category alone, Cabrido’s movie competed with 10 other films from China and South Korea.

“Nag-decide na kasi ako na hindi pumunta so sinabihan na lang ako nu’ng [committee] ng festival na nanalo ‘yung film,” he said.

Before winning in the Gwangju International Film Festival, “Children’s Show” already received various recognitions here and abroad, including the Canon Award for Best Cinematography in Cinemalaya (2014), the Development Communication Award in the Hildegarde Awards (2015), and the Grand Jury Award Best Screenplay in the Fantastic Cinema Festival (2015). The film was also an official selection in the main competition of the prestigious Fribourg International Film Festival in Switzerland.

“Children’s Show” follows the story of two siblings who work as pedicab drivers and moonlight as wrestlers in an underground fighting pit. The movie’s premise was inspired by one of Cabrido’s stories when he was still a segment producer for GMA Public Affairs’ program “Reporter’s Notebook.”

“Ganu’n kasi ‘yung storya nung [“Batang Sabong”] na tungkol sa mga bata na sumasali sa underground wrestling match. Then bago namin sinulat ‘yung script, binalikan namin ‘yung community, tapos natuklasan namin na nag-e-exist pa [‘yung wrestling match],” he said.

Cabrido also shares his victory with the production team of the indie film.

“Nakita ko ‘yung pagod nila at ‘yung hirap doon sa mismong shoot. Most of them hindi na natutulog or wala talagang tulog halos,” he said.

Cabrido is also an Executive Producer of the 2015 New York Festivals Gold World Medal Awardee for Best Public Affairs Program, Front Row. –Gerald Vista