HOUSTON – Two Filipino films have been recognized by one of the world’s oldest independent film festivals while a former teen actress was given a major acting award.
Area, directed by Louie Ignacio and produced by Ferdinand Lapuz for BG Productions International won the Special Jury Remi Award. The film stars Ai-Ai delas Alas and Allen Dizon.
Meanwhile, 1st Sem, a comedy/drama film directed by Dexter Hemedez and Allan Ibanez starring Lotlot de Leon, won a Gold Remi Award for Team Campy Entertainment. Former child and teen star de Leon herself was named Best Actress in the only film festival in the world with ten major competition categories, not just Shorts and Features like most festivals.
WorldFest-Houston has more than 200 sub-categories, so a small Indie documentary does not have to compete with a National Geographic Special. Each year, WorldFest receives more than 4,500 category entries, and only about 15% of total entries actually win a Remi Award. WorldFest is the only film festival in the whole wide world that actually grades/scores your entry. Remi Awards are presented on the basis of your score.
Photo courtesy of Ferdy Lapuz’s Facebook page
Now on its 50th year, WorldFest has given first honors to Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Ang Lee, John Lee Hancock, Randal Kleiser, David Lynch, Oliver Stone, Ridley Scott, and the Coen Brothers. Thus, the winners of this year could well become the Spielbergs or Ang Lees of tomorrow. WorldFest presents only one Grand Remi Award to the top winner in each of the major ten categories. The Remi Award is named after Frederic Remington, whose brilliant sculptures and paintings captured the spirit of Texas and the West.
