‘Pailalim’ wins big at indie film fest Sinag Maynila

Several films received awards at independent film festival Sinag Maynila's Gabi ng Parangal on Sunday.

"Pailalim," written and directed by Daniel Palacio, took home the Best Picture award.

The film, about a gravedigger who is forced to steal a newly buried corpse for money to save his critically ill daughter, also won Palacio the Best Director award.

Kapuso star Nar Cabico poses with his parents and his Best Actor award at Sinag Maynila on April 7, 2019.

"Akin ang Korona" bagged the SM People's Choice award and its star, Kapuso singer Nar Cabico, was hailed as Best Actor.

Lie Rain Clemente and Nori Jane Isturis' "Entablado"—a look back at the legendary Metropolitan Theater based on the accounts of the stars who performed on its stage—won Best Documentary Film.

"Panaghoy," written and directed by Alvin Baloloy, was hailed as this year's best short film and revolves around a sullen girl and her overprotective mother living in an ancestral house.

Landing in second place was Lawrence Fernando's "Memories of the Rising Sun," followed by Louie Ignacio's "Ngiti ni Nazareno."

A special citation for short film was also given to Brian Patrick Lim's "Marian."

Meanwhile, Best Sound was awarded to "Persons of Interest," Best Musical Score and Best Screenplay to "Jino to Mari," Best Production Design to "Jesusa," and Best Editing and Best Cinematography to "Pailalim."

"Jesusa" by Ronaldo Carballo also received a special jury award.

The Sinag Maynila 2019 Box Office Award was given to "Jino to Mari," a full-length entry that tells the story of two sex workers who were stripped of their dignity.

It was a tie between Sylvia Sanchez of "Jesusa" and Angela Cortez of "Jino to Mari" for the Best Actress award.

Sinag Maynila, an independent film festival, is now in its fifth year.

Indie short films, documentaries, and full-length features shown at the film festival may be viewed at select cinemas until April 17, 2019. — Dona Magsino/BM, GMA News