FOR the first time, not one but two documentaries and an animated film are being considered for Best Film in this year’s Gawad Urian. The animation is Hayop Ka! (Rocketsheep Studio; Spring Films); the two documentary films are Aswang (Cinematography Films) and A Thousand Cuts (Ramona Diaz, et al.). Completing the lineup of nominees are the following films: Kintsugi (Solar Films, Centerstage), Lahi, Hayop (Sine Olivia Pilipinas), Midnight in a Perfect World (Globe Studios, Epicmedia) and Watch List (Dark Star Pictures/Uncork’d Entertainment).
The list of the nominees for Best Director is made doubly exciting with five women directors (Alyx Arumpac, Dolly Dulu, Ramona Diaz, Antoinette Jadaone and Irene Villamor) sharing a stellar space with Jay Altarejos, Lawrence Fajardo, Lav Diaz (relatively, the veterans) and Avid Liongoren and Ben Rekhi.
For Best Actress, Alessandra de Rossi playing the beleaguered mother in a land where all are suspects for drug use leads the list of nominees who are composed of new thespians. Tested veterans gild the nomination for Best Supporting Actress, with Dexter Doria and Lolita Carbon turning in a compelling performance to merit being part of the list.
The Best Actor category is a mix of new and tested performers, with Elijah Canlas, last year’s Best Actor, braving a new challenge. Anything, anything at all can happen here. For the Best Supporting Actor, there are only five nominees, interestingly the same number as the one for Best Supporting Actress.
The following is the complete list of nominees:
BEST FILM
Aswang
Hayop Ka!
Kintsugi
Lahi, Hayop
Midnight in a Perfect World
A Thousand Cuts
Watch List
BEST ANIMATION
Hayop Ka
BEST DIRECTOR
Joselito Altarejos, Memories of Forgetting
Alyx Arumpac, Aswang
Dodo Dayao, Midnight in a Perfect World
Dolly Dulu, The Boy Foretold by the Stars
Lav Diaz, Lahi, Hayop
Ramona Diaz, A Thousand Cuts
Lawrence Fajardo, Kintsugi
Antoinette Jadaone, Fan Girl
Avid Liongoren, Hayop Ka!
Ben Rekhi, Watch List
Irene Villamor, On Vodka, Beers, and Regrets
BEST ACTRESS
Jasmine Curtis, Alter Me
Glaiza de Castro, Midnight in a Perfect World
Alessandra de Rossi, Watch List
Charlie Dizon, Fan Girl
Shaina Magdayao, Tagpuan
Bela Padilla, On Vodka, Beers, and Regrets
Lovi Poe, Malaya
Sue Ramirez, Finding Agnes
Cristine Reyes, Untrue
BEST ACTOR
Elijah Canlas, He Who is Without Sin
Enchong Dee, Alter Me
Noel Escondo, Memories of Forgetting
Keann Johnson, The Boy Foretold by the Stars
Nanding Josef, Lahi, Hayop
Adrian Lindayag, The Boy Foretold by the Stars
Zanjoe Marudo, Malaya
JC Santos, On Vodka, Beers, and Regrets
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Sandy Andolong, Finding Agnes
Lolita Carbon, Lahi, Hayop
Dexter Doria, Memories of Forgetting
Hazel Orencio, Lahi, Hayop
Bing Pimentel, Midnight in a Perfect World
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Micko Laurente, Watch List
Jake Macapagal, Watch List
Jess Mendoza, Watch List
Dino Pastrano, Midnight in a Perfect World
Enzo Pineda, He Who is Without Sin
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Ferdie Abuel, On Vodka, Beers, and Regrets
Endi Balbuena, Rolando Inocencio, Kintsugi
Vincent Chiu, Malaya
Timi Dominguez, Alter Me
Maolen Fadul, Untrue
Darrel Manuel, Memories of Forgetting
Ericson Navarro, Watch List
Ericson Navarro, Magikland
Benjamin Padero, Carlo Tabije, Midnight in a Perfect World
Mitoy Sta. Ana, Finding Agnes
BEST SCREENPLAY
Herlyn Alegre, et al., Kintsugi
Joselito Altarejos, Memories of Forgetting
Manny Angeles, Hayop Ka!
Dodo Dayao, Midnight in a Perfect World
Lav Diaz, Lahi, Hayop
Dolly Dulu, The Boy Foretold by the Stars
Ben Rekhi, Rona Lean Sales, Watch List
Irene Villamor, On Vodka, Beers, and Regrets
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Alyx Arumpac, Aswang
Nic Bagaoisan, et al., Memories of Forgetting
Albert Banzon, Gym Lumbera, Midnight in a Perfect World
Neil Daza, Fan Girl
Lav Diaz, Lahi, Hayop
Jensen Gomez, Malaya
Rody Lacap, Magikland
Lee Mariano, Alter Me
Daniella Nowitz, Watch List
Marvin Reyes, The Boy Foretold by the Stars
Zach Sycip, Finding Agnes
Boy Yniguez, Untrue
Boy Yniguez, Kintsugi
BEST EDITING
Joselito Altarejos, Memories of Forgetting
Lawrence Ang, Midnight in a Perfect World
Alyx Arumpac, Aswang
Mai Calapardo, He Who is Without Sin
Manet Dayrit, Magikland
Franchesca de Castro, Jaye Jacinto, Hayop Ka!
Ramona Diaz, A Thousand Cuts
Nick Ellsberg, Watch List
Lawrence Fajardo, Kintsugi
Noah Tonga, Alter Me
BEST MUSIC
Arnel Barbarona, The Highest Peak
Teresa Barrozo, Fan Girl
Len Calvo, Hayop Ka!
Kian Cipriano, Brain Coat, On Vodka, Beers, and Regrets
Jhaye Cura, Paulo Protacio, The Boy Foretold by the Stars
Malek Lopez, et al., Midnight in a Perfect World
BEST SOUND
Alyx Arumpac, Aswang
Cecil Buban, Lahi, Hayop
Franchesca de Castro, Jaye Jacinto, Hayop Ka!
Corine de San Jose, Midnight in a Perfect World
Liza Espinas, Watch List
Lawrence Fajardo, Kintsugi
Kongchak Studio, Fan Girl
The list of nominees for Best Documentary and Best Short Film will be released separately on another date. The recipient of the Natatanging Gawad Urian, the Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Gawad Dekada, representing the best of the decade, will be released a few days before the awarding ceremonies, the date of which will be announced soon.