In a ceremony that took place on August 13, animated movie “Iti Mapukpukaw” by Carl Joseph E. Papa and “Rookie” by Samantha Lee and Natts Jadaone.
“Iti Mapukpukaw” focuses on Eric, an animator working in the Phillipines living a rather normal life. He has a nice but dirty apartment, a good paying job, and a guy he likes. One thing glaring about Eric though is he does not have a mouth, literally. One day, he receives a call from his mother Rosalinda, asking him to check up on his seemingly lost uncle. Only to find out that his uncle has been dead for days. While still in shock, a familiar alien arrives wanting to take Eric away from Earth. Iti Mapukpukaw is Filipino-Ilocano rotoscope animated film that follows Eric's life as it twists and turns after the arrival of the familiar alien, and the death of his uncle; both of which triggers Eric to remember his past and untangle his memories.
“Rookie”‘s synopsis goes as follows: The high school volleyball coach spots Ace on her first day at her new school and invites her to try out for the volleyball team. While initially feeling out of place in the volleyball court, everything changes when she falls for the volleyball team captain Jana who dislikes her because she sees her as a threat. Ace eventually finds friendship and freedom with her teammates but a post-game incident involving the team physical therapist changes her world forever.
Here is the full list of winners for Cinemalaya 2023:
- Best Film (Full-Length Feature): “Iti Mapukpukaw”
- Best Film (Short Feature): “Sibuyas Ni Perfecto”
- Best Director (Full-Length Feature): Ryan Espinosa Machado for “Huling Palabas”
- Best Director (Short Film): Mike Cabarles for “Makoko Sa Baybay”
- Best Actor (Full-Length Feature): Mikoy Morales for “Tether”
- Best Actress (Full-Length Feature): Pat Tingjuy for “Rookie”
- Best Supporting Actor (Full Length Feature): Bon Andrew Lentejas of “Huling Palabas”
- Best Supporting Actress (Full-Length Feature): Dolly de Leon for “Iti Mapukpukaw”
- Best Screenplay for Full-Length Feature: “Gitling”
- Best Screenplay for Short Film: “Hinakdal”
- Best Cinematography: “When This Is All Over”
- Best Editing: “Rookie”
- Best Production Design: “When This Is All Over”
- Best Original Music Score: “When This Is All Over”
- Best Sound Design: “Tether”
- Audience Choice Award for Full-Length Feature: “Rookie”
- Audience Choice Award for Short Film: “Hinakdal”
- Special Award: “Ang Duyan Ng Magiting”
- Special Jury Award for Short Film: “Hm Hm MhM”
- Special Jury Award for Full-Length Feature: “Ang Duyan Ng Magiting”
- Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC) Full-Length Feature Award: “Iti Mapukpukaw”
- Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC) Short Film Award: “Hinakdal”
(sources: Cinemalaya, ABS-CBN)
