We present the list of winners of the 5th Salamindanaw Asian Film Festival which took place from November 27th – December 1st (2017) in General Santos City, South Cotabato (Philippines).

ASIAN COMPETITION
Jury Members: Evelyn Vargas-Knaebel (Actress), Dempster Samarista (Documentary Film Director)

Golden Durian Prize

Dadyaa (Woodpeckers of Rotha) by Bhibusan Basnet and Pooja Gurung
Nepal | 2016 – 16 min. (Narrative)

Atimaley and Devi’s village is haunted by memories. When a dear friend leaves the village without saying “goodbye”, the old couple faces a dilemma; to keep living with the memories or to leave the village for good?

Jury’s notes: “For a powerful cinematographic work that captures the harsh topography of grief, isolation, memory and loss.”

Jury Prize

Nokas by Manuel Alberto Maia
Indonesia | 2016 – 75 min. (Documentary)

Even in time of war, people get married. It is no different with Nokas, a 27-year-old man who wishes to marry his beloved Ci, a beautiful girl working in chicken farm in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara. It is difficult to marry a Timor girl. The soon-to-be groom needs to prepare a huge amount to pay for the dowry. With an observational approach, this film follows the effort of young Nokas as he tries to make his marriage happens.

Jury’s notes: “For a documentary that carefully explores a cultural tradition prevalent in Southeast Asia, with its subtle questioning of patriarchy with a resolute but even handed manner.”

Special Citation

God Bliss Our Home by Nawruz Paguidopon
Philippines | 2017 – 74 min. (Documentary)

The animator and filmmaker, Nawruz, an immigrant from Southern Philippinnes, has struggled to find a better place in old housing district, BLISS, for a decade. With a high living cost and unstable jobs in Manila, he gets a financial support from his mother every two months. One day, his mother notices him to pack his luggages and come back hometown. Before he leaves BLISS, he makes all last-ditch efforts to stay more in Manila and starts recording all situation with a selfie sticks and Gopro camera. Will his plan work? Will he get a space of his own in Manila?

Jury’s notes: “For its creative mix of animation and the selfie to present a documentary that is profoundly touching in its investigation of the dynamics of home, family and identity.”

Chor (The Bicycle) by Khanjan Kishore Nath – India | 2017 – 85 min. (Narrative)

Chor revolves around the lives of two friends Nipu and Raju, with Raju owning a bicycle and Nipu’s desire for it. Unfortunately by the unstoppable longingness and thrill of riding a bicycle, Nipu one day quietly rides the bicycle without the permission of his friend and unfortunately lose it. The story progresses with twist and turns of emotions between both the friends and the matter spreading to their families. With false accusation and doubt, the story manages to keep the thrill alive throughout.

Jury’s notes: “For a film of quiet beauty that manages to be emotionally moving, for a pioneering work that places the Assamese language and culture in the wide cartography of Indian cinema.”

PHILIPPINE SHORTS COMPETITION
Jury Members: Bagane Fiola (Film Director), Bebs Sabellano Gohetia (Film Director & Editor), and Sebastián Nadilo (owner of Asian Film Festivals)

Special Mention

Aliens Ata (Maybe Aliens) by Glenn Barit
Philippines | 7 min. (Narrative)

Two young brothers deal with the sudden loss of their father. Their overseas-filipino-worker mother goes back home for the funeral but will soon had to depart for work again. For kids, some things are hard to grasp that’s why they look at the sky for answers. Could it be aliens?

Jury’s Notes: “For treating a contemporary story of a Filipino family without the usual melodrama attached to similar narratives, executing it with confidence and a sense of purpose.”

MINDANAO SHORTS COMPETITION
Jury Members: Bagane Fiola (Film Director), Bebs Sabellano Gohetia (Film Director & Editor), and Sebastián Nadilo (owner of Asian Film Festivals)

Golden Durian Prize

Redempsyon (Redemption) by Edmund Telmo
Philippines | 14 min. (Narrative)

Lena, who is in the early stage pregnancy is challenged by her partner, Chris, to choose whether or not to continue bearing the child in her womb.

Jury’s notes: “For its careful attention to the specifics of space, setting, and movement in relation to its subject, the use of effective lighting and acting in showcasing the psychology of its characters, it presents an equally powerful and contemplative film that exposes the pervasiveness of violence both social and structural through the lens of gender politics, introducing an exciting and emerging voice in Mindanao cinema.”

Jury Prize

Lobo by Kissza Campano and Lance Maravillas
Philippines | 3 min. (Narrative)

An 11-year old girl frolics along a bazaar to find a new friend.

Jury’s notes: “For its careful attention to the specifics of space, setting, and movement in relation to its subject, the use of effective lighting and acting in showcasing the psychology of its characters, it presents an equally powerful and contemplative film that exposes the pervasiveness of violence both social and structural through the lens of gender politics, introducing an exciting and emerging voice in Mindanao cinema.”

Special Mention

Astri Maka Si Tambulah (Astri and Tambulah) by Xeph Suarez
Philippines | 2017 – 18 min. (Narrative)

Astri is a 16-year old transwoman in a relationship with 17-year old Tambulah. Although it’s an unusual sight at the community where they live, nobody bothers them. Subsisting on the coins people throw at them when they perform their traditional dance at the sea, everything is perfect except that Sama Badjao traditions and a pact made long ago require Astri to marry a woman she hardly knows.

Jury’s notes: “A special mention is given to a Mindanao short for its courageous and capable handling of sensitive subjects that is cognizant of culture and was able to spark discourse and openness on gender issues vis-à-vis belief systems.”