Tumandok, a social realist drama collaboratively created by the Ati indigenous peoples of Western Visayas, has been named Best Film of 2024 by the Society of Filipino Film Reviewers (SFFR), triumphing over four other nominees. The film, which premiered at last year’s Cinemalaya Film Festival, features a cast composed mostly of Ati and non-professional actors. SFFR praised Tumandok for its “poignant portrayal of a community’s struggle to reclaim their ancestral land, with a collective approach that meaningfully involves its members.”
An Errand Dominates with Five Wins
Another Cinemalaya entry, An Errand, emerged as the most awarded film of the night, winning Best Director, Best Editing, and Best First Feature—all for Dominic Bekaert—as well as Best Cinematography and Best Film Score. The film, a slow-burning, enigmatic drama starring Sid Lucero and Art Acuña as a chauffeur and his boss, was recognized by SFFR for its masterful orchestration of “various elements of cinematic language to realize a contemplative filmic voyage that traverses memory and time while reflecting on the false familiarity of servitude.”
Sue Prado Wins Best Lead Performance
Sue Prado took home the Best Lead Performance award for her role as a scheming middle-aged teacher entangled in a web of lust and betrayal in Your Mother’s Son. Prado bested seven other nominees, including Jansen Magpusao (The Gospel of the Beast), Vilma Santos (Uninvited), Vice Ganda (And the Breadwinner Is…), and Marian Rivera (Balota).
The film also won Best Screenplay, awarded to Jun Robles Lana and Elmer Gatchalian.
Other Major Award Winners
Pushcart Tales, a Puregold CinePanalo entry, received two awards: Best Supporting Performance (Shamaine Buencamino) and Best Ensemble Performance.
The Best Production Design award went to the Metro Manila Film Festival horror entry Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital.
Meanwhile, Ghosts of Kalantiaw, an investigative documentary on the controversial Kalantiaw Code, won Best Documentary Feature.
Short Film Awards
Three short films were honored:
Best Live Action (Short Film) – Nananahan
Best Animation – Objects Do Not Randomly Fall from the Sky
Best Documentary (Short Film) – 15 Ways My Dad Almost Died
Best International Film
The Best International Film award went to All We Imagine As Light, a meditative and intimate Indian drama. It edged out high-profile nominees, including Anora, The Substance, and Challengers.
Introduction of the Film Heritage Award
This year marked the debut of the Film Heritage Award, which recognizes individuals and organizations for their contributions to:
- Film preservation, restoration, and archival work
- Film exhibition and accessibility
- Film education and advocacy
The inaugural recipients are:
- Teddy Co (posthumous) – Honored for his work as a curator and archivist, his role in recovering the “lost films” of Gerardo de Leon and Manuel Silos, and his dedication to expanding the scope of regional cinema.
- ABS-CBN Film Restoration Project (Sagip Pelikula) – Recognized for its efforts in restoring Filipino classics such as Himala (1982), Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon? (1976), and Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos (1976), ensuring access for a wider audience and future generations.
Complete List of Winners
Best Film: Tumandok
Best Director: Dominic Bekaert, An Errand
Best Screenplay: Your Mother’s Son (Jun Robles Lana and Elmer L. Gatchalian)
Best Lead Performance: Sue Prado, Your Mother’s Son
Best Supporting Performance: Shamaine Buencamino, Pushcart Tales
Best Ensemble Performance: Cast of Pushcart Tales
Best Editing: An Errand (Dominic Bekaert)
Best Cinematography: An Errand (Steven Evangelio)
Best Production Design: Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital (Kurt Claridades)
Best Film Score: An Errand (Michael Benedicto)
Best Documentary Feature: Ghosts of Kalantiaw
Best First Feature: An Errand
Best Short Film (Animation): Objects Do Not Randomly Fall from the Sky
Best Short Film (Documentary): 15 Ways My Dad Almost Died
Best Short Film (Live Action): Nananahan
Best International Film: All We Imagine As Light
Film Heritage Award: Teddy Co and Sagip Pelikula
The SFFR is composed of 39 active reviewers of Philippine cinema.
Plaques and scrolls will be handed out to winners in April 2025.