'Iti Mapukpukaw' hailed as Best Film in Cinemalaya 2023

"Iti Mapukpukaw" has been hailed as the Best Film in the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2023 on Sunday.

Directed by Carl Joseph Papa, "Iti Mapukpukaw" is a rotoscope animated film that film follows Eric, a Filipino animator who does not have a mouth. His memories get untangled with the arrival of an alien.

The film stars Carlo Aquino, Dolly de Leon, and Gio Gahol.

"Gusto kong ibigay ito sa lahat ng mga Eric na inalisan ng bibig at hindi makapagsalita," Carl said in his acceptance speech for the award.

He also lauded the 90 animators who worked on the film, as well as the crew and staff. "Iti Mapukpukaw" was co-produced by Project 8 and GMA Public Affairs First VP Nessa Valdellon.

Aside from Best Film, "Iti Mapukpukaw" also won the NETPAC Award for full length feature films. Dolly was also named the Best Supporting Actress.

Here's the full list of Cinemalaya 2023 winners:

• Audience Choice Award (full length feature) - "Rookie"
• Best Sound Design - "Tether"
• Best Musical Scoring - "When This Is All Over"
• Best Production Design - "When This Is All Over"
• Best Editing - "Rookie"
• Best Cinematography - "When This Is All Over"
• Best Screenplay (short feature) - "Hinakdal"
• Best Screenplay (full length feature) - "Gitling"
• NETPAC Award (short feature) - "Hinakdal"
• NETPAC Award (full length feature) - "Iti Mapukpukaw"
• Best Supporting Actor - Bon Andrew Lentejas ("Huling Palabas")
• Best Supporting Actress - Dolly de Leon ("Iti Mapukpukaw")
• Best Actor - Mikoy Morales ("Tether")
• Best Actress - Pat Tingjuy ("Rookie")
• Best Unsung Acting (special award) - Cast of "Ang Duyan ng Magiting"
• Special Jury Prize (short feature) - "Hm Hm Mhm"
• Special Jury Prize (full length feature) - "Ang Duyan ng Magiting"
• Best Director (short feature) - Mike Cabarles ("Makoko sa Baybay")
• Best Director (full length feature) -  Ryan Machado ("Huling Palabas")
• Best Film (short feature) - "Sibuyas ni Perfecto"
• Best Film (full length feature) - "Iti Mapukpukaw"

—MGP, GMA Integrated News