Photo by Mikey Sanchez
De Leon and Escobar are among the recipients of this year’s Annual Achievement Awards for their contributions to the Philippine film industry.
Dolly de Leon is set to receive another accolade. Following a successful season in the international awards circuit, de Leon will be recognized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) as one of this year’s Annual Achievement Awardees at the Parangal Ng Sining (Honor of the Arts).
Each year, the FDCP honors filmmakers, artists, and institutions for their excellence in the filmmaking industry, leading to international acclaim in film festivals worldwide. Since the end of 2022, de Leon has received critical applause for her performance as Abigail, the luxury yacht employee-turned-leader of the shipwreck survivors in the Palme d’Or-winning satirical black comedy Triangle of Sadness. The actress made history by becoming the first Filipino to be nominated for best supporting actress at the Golden Globe Awards and the BAFTA Awards. These achievements have earned de Leon recognition from the FDCA.
Apart from de Leon, two other Filipinos who have received international critical acclaim will be honored by the FDCA. Filmmaker Martika Escobar and actor Soliman Cruz will be joining de Leon as this year’s honorees.
The psychological comedy-drama Leonor Will Never Die, which tells the story of a screenwriter who finds herself the action hero of her unfinished screenplay after falling into a coma, is Martika Escobar’s feature film debut. The movie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2022 and went on to win the Special Jury Prize for Innovative Spirit. This made Escobar the first woman from the Philippines to win at Sundance.
Premiering at the Venice Film Festival’s Orizzonti lineup, which is dedicated to emerging talents and debut films, the Romanian thriller To The North shone the spotlight on Soliman Cruz. The actor received a standing ovation at the festival for his performance as Joel, a religious sailor who discovers a Romanian stowaway on the transatlantic ship where he works, and decides to hide him from Taiwanese officers.
Parangal ng Sining will be held on April 23, 2023 at Seda Hotel.
