Filipino thesis film ‘Q.I.A.’ makes history with win at Italy queer festival

UP alumnus Allen Prodigalidad’s “Q.I.A.” took home the Sicilia Queer Film Festival’s Palermo Queer Prize.

A young Filipino filmmaker won a special award at Italy’s Sicilia Queer Film Festival, an annual showcase of indie LGBTQIA+ cinema from May 25 to 31.

According to filmmaker and film historian Nick Deocampo, also a jury member, Allen Prodigalidad won the Palermo Queer Prize for “Q.I.A.,” his undergraduate thesis at the University of the Philippines Diliman. The award was given by local queer associations in Palermo—separate from the festival jury.

Deocampo noted that this marks the first time a Filipino film entered the competition—and won. It also marked the first time an Asian served on the festival’s international jury, which included Deocampo (Philippines), Ruth Beckermann (Austria), Valentina Bertani (Italy), Jan Kunemund (Germany), and Boris Nelepo (Russia).

“Q.I.A.” is “daring in its queer politics critiquing the mainstreaming of BL films in popular media,” Deocampo said.

“There was a long description of why Allen’s film received the award, arguing about its critique against homophobia and the homogenization of queerness,” he added. “Allen continues the subversive queer cinema tradition which questions the conformity and sanitization of queerness happening in popular cinema and television shows now.”

The film was screened under the festival’s “Heterotopia” program, which featured other Filipino works: “Revolutions Happen Like Refrains in a Song,” “Oliver,” and “The Sex Warriors and the Samurai” by Deocampo; “Macho Dancer” and “Insiang” by National Artist Lino Brocka; “Palugid” by Film Academy of the Philippines Director General Paolo Villaluna; and “Yelo” by UP Film Institute alumnus Gab Rosique.

The Philippines was also honored as the festival’s country-in-focus.

“I am doubly proud of Allen’s winning because he was a former student in two of my classes at the UP Film Institute, World Cinema and Film Directing,” Deocampo said, noting that Prodigalidad made his first queer film in the latter. “With his fresh win, I am now programming his film in other queer film festivals.”

“Q.I.A.” is set to screen next at a queer film festival in Australia.

In sharing Deocampo’s post, Prodigalidad highlighted the country’s rich queer cinema tradition: “Patuloy itong pinagyayaman ng bagong henerasyon ng filmmakers na patuloy ang pagkwestyon sa ‘tama’, ‘normal’, at ‘katanggap-tanggap’ sa pelikula at pati na sa lipunan.”

“Paigtingin pa natin ang laban dahil hindi lamang tayo nililitis ng mga nakatataas bilang mga bading kundi bilang mga mag-aaral, artista, peryodista, manunulat, mananaliksik, at aktibista,” he added. “Marami pang kailangang gawin! Tandaan natin na to be queer is to question everything. Mabuhay ang pelikulang Pilipino! Mabuhay ang student filmmaking! Mabuhay ang Philippine queer cinema!”

According to his LinkedIn profile, Prodigalidad is based in Bacoor, Cavite. His filmography includes “Leslie, Germie, Benjie, Trixie” and “Danas.” He also interned on John Torres’ “Room in a Crowd” and Sari Dalena’s “Cinemartyrs.” In college, he served as president of the campus organization UP Cinema.

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