The Ilonggo film “Azucar” successfully raised the Philippine flag on Turkish soil after winning the Best Feature Film award at the 2020 Anatolia International Film Festival.
The movie “Azucar” (Spanish/Visayan word for “Sugar”) is a romance drama shot in Negros Occidental that also showcases the beauty of the Ilonggo language.
The award-winning Filipino film, an official entry in the 2019 CineKasimanwa: Western Visayas Film Festival, was hailed among the major winners in this year’s edition of Turkey-based film festival held from May 30 to 31, 2020.
Film director Kurt Soberano first announced the inclusion of “Azucar” in the list of the official entry for the said festival on May 17 on his Facebook account.
On May 31, Soberano made a follow up social media post that his movie snagged one of the major awards at the international film festival.
CineKasimanwa founder and producer Elvert Banares congratulated Soberano and all the people behind the movie for bringing pride to the Philippines.
“DOT-Region VI and CineKasimanwa congratulate our director Kurt Soberano for winning Best Short Feature at the Anatolia International Film Festival in Turkey!” Banares said on his Facebook post on May 31. “Azucar” is one of the Western Visayan Grants Films and we’re proud of it! Proud producer here.”
He added: “Together with RD Atty. Helen Catalbas, our Executive Producer, and the entire country, we congratulate Direk Kurt and the entire team of Azucar!”
Filipino films have been making headlines and winning in various festivals abroad in the first quarter of 2020.
In January, teen Filipino actor Louise Abuel bagged the Best Actor Award at the Dhaka International Film Festival in Bangladesh for his movie “Edward.”
Last February, multi-awarded Filipino indie film, “John Denver Trending” swept 3 major awards at the 26th Festival International Des Cinemas D’asie de Vesoul ( International Festival of Asian Cinemas in Vesoul) in France.
In March, Pinay actress Cristine Reyes of the film “UnTrue” successfully clinched the Best Actress award at the 40th Fantasporto-Oporto International Film Festival in Portugal.
Reyes’ feat was followed by the triumph of Filipino film “Write About Love” which won the ABC TV Award at the Osaka Asian Film Festival 2020.
WATCH the movie trailer here and SEND CONGRATULATIONS to Team Azucar in the comments below for winning in the Turkey film festival!
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