One advantage that many Philippine indie films have from most studio-produced movies in the country is that their artistic quality often gets them a solid chance at being exhibited at international film festivals. One recent example is Quantum Films and Cinematographica’s “Kun Maupay Man It Panahon, a drama of survival and human nature set in the backdrop of 2013’s super-typhoon Yolanda, and starring Kapamilya big-names Charo Santos and Daniel Padilla. While already slated to debut at the Toronto International Film Fest next month, which doubles as its North American premiere, the film already had its run at Switzerland’s Locarno Film Fest, where it managed to bag a special award too.

According to The Manila Times, “Kun Maupay Man It Panahon” (English translation “Whether the Weather is Fine”) received the Cinema e Gioventu Prize at this year’s 74th Locarno Film Festival (LFF). This was announced on the movie’s official Facebook page this past Sunday, August 15. This special award is described as an educational initiative with regards to Swiss students aged 18-23. A number of these students are called to comprise the Concorso Cineasti del presente Junior Jury which then awards a movie being exhibited at LFF for its educational value.

The Concorso Cineasti del Presente (Filmmakers of the Present Competition) is a category of the Locarno Film Fest, saw movies being screened that hail from major motion picture industry nations like the United States, France and China among others. “Kun Maupay” was the sole Filipino entry in that category, and was represented at the event by ten delegates from the production, led by director Carlo Manatad and newcomer actress Rans Rifol, who shared the screen with veteran Charo Santos and rising star Daniel Padilla. The LFF ran through most of early this month, from August 4 and ending August 14.

Image from Adobo Magazine Online