Law Fajardo’s ‘Silenced Nights’ wins Special Mention at Skopje Film Festival

Filipino filmmaker Lawrence “Law” Fajardo has earned another international recognition after his film “Silenced Nights” received the Jury Special Mention in the Dialogues section of the 26th Skopje Film Festival in North Macedonia.

The festival jury praised Fajardo’s uncompromising portrayal of the violence associated with the Duterte administration’s bloody war on drugs.

“We cannot leave the DIALOGS selection without a special mention to SILENCED NIGHTS by LAWRENCE FAJARDO. We really want to honour his vivid depiction of the brutal death squads during the Duterte regime in the Philippines,” the jury said in its official statement.

In an exclusive interview with radar, Fajardo expressed his gratitude for the recognition.

“Grateful and deeply honored to receive the Jury Special Mention at the Skopje Film Festival,” the director said.

“My heartfelt thanks to the jury for recognizing our film, and to the entire festival team, its organizers, and the wonderful people of Skopje for the warm welcome and hospitality.”

Fajardo also thanked Tomi Salkovski and Nikolaj Nikitin for helping bring the film to the festival.

“This recognition means a lot. Thank you Skopje Film Festival. Thank you so much Tomi Salkovski and Nikolaj Nikitin for bringing Silenced Nights to Skopje!”

Set in Happyland, Tondo, “Silenced Nights” follows Andoi, a laborer whose life is shaken after witnessing the extrajudicial killing of a teenager by police. Written by Troy Espiritu, the sociopolitical suspense drama draws inspiration from the 2017 killing of 17-year-old Kian delos Santos during the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.

The film stars Nico Antonio, alongside Lotlot de Leon, Ina Feleo, Joel Saracho, Tanya Gomez, and Dylan Ray Talon.

“Silenced Nights” previously made history as the first Filipino feature selected for the prestigious Platform competition of the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival, where it held its world premiere in September.

An international co-production involving the Philippines, France, and Taiwan, the film has also reached audiences through festival screenings in Bangkok and Barcelona.

Fajardo, whose acclaimed works include “Amok,” “Posas,” “Imbisibol,” and “The Hearing,” is known for his socially conscious storytelling and portrayals of marginalized communities.

The latest recognition in Skopje further strengthens the international presence of “Silenced Nights,” demonstrating how Philippine cinema continues to confront political violence, injustice, and the painful realities of the country’s recent history.