Multi-awarded Filipino Broadway producer Jhett Tolentino has picked up the 8th win for his biographical documentary “Life Is What You Make It” at the 2019 New Harvest Film Festival in Moscow, Russia.
The 3-time Tony Awardee and Grammy winner’s self-written, produced and directed short documentary of his journey from humble beginnings in Iloilo province to being a celebrated Broadway producer, was announced as the winner of Best Documentary in the festival’s list of awardees released on September 9.
The Moscow award is the short documentary’s 8th major award since its release in 2018.
Life Is What You Make It had 7 previous wins:
- 2019 The European Independent Film Award (Germany)
- 2018 Mumbai Shorts International Film Festival (India)
- 2018 Australia Independent Film Festival
- 2018 San Jose International Film Awards (Costa Rica)
- 2018 South Film and Arts Academy Festival (Chile)
- 2018 9FilmFest (Thailand)
- 2018 Five Continents International Film Festival (Venezuela)
The film tells the story of Tolentino’s overcoming poverty by fighting to get an education in rural Philippines, rising as a successful music producer in Broadway, and his journey back to his hometown.
Jhett Tolentino, a Pamana ng Pilipino Awardee, screened the film in his hometown Iloilo as part of his mission to inspire indigent and indigenous children.
“Immigrant stories are universal. Mine is extra special because Filipinos go the extra mile. We go for lengths like nobody’s business. May this inspire more Pinoys to focus on their dreams and never let go until they happen,” Jhett Tolentino shared to Good News Pilipinas.
Life Is What You Make It will next compete at the New Vision International Film Festival (NVIFF) in Amsterdam from September 25-27, 2019.
Jhett Tolentino shared to Good News Pilipinas that more competition screenings for the bio-docu are slated in Mexico, Netherlands, and Belarus. There are also plans to make the film available to more audiences soon.
Meanwhile, Tolentino’s first feature film production Lingua Franca directed by Filipino auteur Isabel Sandoval, had its world premiere at the prestigious 76th La Biennale di Venezia’s Giornate degli Autori (Venice Days) on September 6.
Lingua Franca, a romantic drama between two immigrants in Brighton Beach, is the first film directed by a trans woman of color. A Philippine premiere is being planned.
SEND congratulations in the comments below to Jhett Tolentino, award-winning Broadway and film producer proudly showcasing his Filipino heritage on the global stage!
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