Gawad URIAN AWARDS

Most of the winners of the Gawad Urian come from films which are independently produced. Iis it because only the independent film producers can afford to produce films because their stars are not demanding for million pesos talent fee?

MANILA, Philippines--It’s definitely the year of independent films, judging from the outcome of the annual Gawad Urian of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino.

It was a clean sweep for indies in the 31st staging of the prestigious film awards ceremony held at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater) in Pasay City Wednesday night.

Brillante Mendoza bagged Best Director for “Tirador,” the film with the most awards at 5, which includes Best Picture, Best Sound (Ditoy Aguila and Junel Valencia) and Best Cinematography (Jeffrey dela Cruz, Brillante Mendoza, Gary Tria and Julius Villanueva). It also won an acting award, Best Supporting Actress (Angela Ruiz).

Mendoza’s other film, “Foster Child,” meanwhile, produced the Best Actress winner, Cherry Pie Picache.

Young actor Jason Abalos made a noteworthy triumph in his career with a Best Actor win for “Endo.” He shared the honor with Sid Lucero, who won for “Selda.”

Emilio Garcia won Best Supporting Actor also for “Selda.”

Jade Castro, Michiko Yamamoto, and Raymond Lee took home the Best Screenplay award for "Endo" while Alecks Castañeda grabbed the Best Editing plum for "Tambolista."



Other creative awardees include Lav Diaz and Dante Perez, who won Best Production Design for "Death in the Land of Encantos" and Francis de Veyra, who prevailed with the Best Music award for "Tribu."