30 September 2013 - The Philippine Consulate General in Agana, Guam congratulated Filipino Director Ian Lorenos, who recently bagged two major awards for his film Alagwa (Breakaway) at the 3rd Guam International Film Festival which was held from September 24 to 29 at the Tango Theaters in Agana, Guam.
Lorenos' film won the Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature, besting nominated films from the United Kingdom and South Korea. The lead actor for the film, Mr. Jericho Rosales, also won the Achievement in Acting award. Alagwa, which was chosen as the Festival's Closing Night film, has been recognized in several other international competitions. It was awarded Best Narrative (Feature) at the Third World Independent Film Festival, while its actors also won recognition at the Newport Beach Film Festival and the First ASEAN International Film Festival.
The GIFF is the first and only annual US Film Festival in the Western Pacific. Its mission is to "foster the growth of cultural understanding through the art of filmmaking" (www.guamfilmfestival.org). While its core centers on films in the Asia Pacific region, it also features international films from submissions worldwide. This year's participants included films from Japan, China, Korea, Austria, France, Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
2000 Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or du court métrage (Short Film Palme d'Or) winner Raymond Red, who is the first ever Filipino to have received the coveted award, was also featured as Master Class panelist by the GIFF. Director Red showcased his movie Himpapawid (Manila Skies) and a few of his short films, including Anino (Shadow), which won him the Palme d'Or. END