'Leonor Will Never Die' by Filipina director Martika Escobar wins Sundance award

"Leonor Will Never Die" bagged a win at this year's Sundance Film Festival!

Helmed by Filipina director Martika Ramirez Escoba, the film won the prize World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award: Innovative Spirit.

???? World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award: Innovative Spirit goes to LEONOR WILL NEVER DIE, directed by Martika Ramirez Escobar (@martikaescobar). #sundance pic.twitter.com/ktgaiBBd7T

— SundanceFilmFestival (@sundancefest) January 28, 2022

The presenting juror, La Frances Hui, described the film as "a playful display of the love of cinema."

"Its innovative and risk-taking spirit is especially commendable," she said.

In her acceptance speech, Escoba said the film was a "labor of love."

"This is special coming from a film set that felt like one giant friendship film. I'd like to say thanks to the entire Sundance team for treating us like family. I'd like to thank everyone who had showed their love and support for our film," she said.

"You are proof that finally after eight years, our film is alive," she added.

"Leonor Will Never Die" is a drama-comedy that follows Leonor Reyes (by Sheila Francisco), a grandmother who was once a major player in the Filipino film industry after she created a string of successful action films.

Missing her previous exciting life as a writer-director, Leonor is now relegated to the realities of unpaid electricity bills and the struggles of facing violence out in the streets.

It premiered at the prestigious Sundance Film Fest in the United States last weekend. —JCB, GMA News