Queer films ‘Iti Mapukpukaw’ and ‘Rookie’ bagged major awards at the Cinemalaya 2023 awarding ceremony.
The queer animated movie ‘Iti Mapukpukaw’ which was touted as the first full-length feature of its kind to compete at the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival won three awards, including Best Film, NETPAC Award, and the Best Supporting Actress trophy for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) nominee Dolly De Leon. The film is also the highest-grossing film at the festival.
“I would like to dedicate this award to all the ‘Eric’ whose voices were removed from them, who were silenced, this is for you all. We are here, listening,” film director Carl Joseph Papa said.
‘Iti Mapukpukaw’ follows the story of Eric (played by award-winning actor Carlo Aquino), a mouthless young man who untangles memories from his childhood in the wake of his uncle’s death. Eric meets an alien who wants to abduct him from Earth and tells him the alien left his power in Eric which makes him the destined ruler of the planet.
Meanwhile, the sporty sapphic film also snagged three awards including the Best Actress win for Pat Tingjuy, as well as the Audience Choice Award and Best Editing. It is also the second highest-grossing film.
