“Pinikas” leads a commanding sweep as VisMin storytelling shines, with “Ang Bangkay,” “Desperada,” and “Sweet Escape” scoring key wins across categories.
Big wins, big feels, and a night that firmly put regional storytelling front and center.
The 2026 edition of the Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival wrapped up its awards ceremony tonight with “Pinikas” emerging as the undeniable frontrunner.
The VisMin drama swept major categories, proving that stories rooted in lived realities—love, survival, and sacrifice—continue to resonate the loudest.
Helmed by Cris Fuego, “Pinikas” dominated the awards ceremony at the Gateway 2 Cinemas. It took home the Best Picture, Best Director, and multiple technical awards. Its lead stars, Angela Villarin and Jade Makawili, also delivered knockout performances that earned them top acting honors.
Meanwhile, Vince Tañada’s “Ang Bangkay” made a strong showing with key supporting and technical wins, while “Desperada” and “Sweet Escape” also scored notable recognitions. On the documentary and student fronts, emerging filmmakers proved the future of Philippine cinema is in very good hands.
Sinag Manila has just one last day of screenings left (March 29) before it wraps.
Here’s the full list of winners:
• Best Picture: “Pinikas”
• Best Director: Cris Fuego for “Pinikas”
• People’s Choice Award: Vince Tañada’s “Ang Bangkay”
• Best Actress: Angela Villarin for “Pinikas”
• Best Actor: Jade Makawili for “Pinikas”
• Best Supporting Actress: Mercedes Cabral for “Ang Bangkay”
• Best Supporting Actor: Yasser Marta for “Desperada”
• Best Production Design: Cyrus Khan for “Ang Bangkay”
• Best Screenplay: Cris Fuego for “Pinikas”
• Best Editing: Jay Hernando for “Pinikas”
• Best Cinematography: Manuel “Andoy” Abanto for “Ang Bangkay”
• Best Musical Score: Marie-Luise Calvero for “Pinikas”
• Best Sound: Alex Tomboc for “Sweet Escape”
• Best Documentary: “Del Mundo” by Rommel Tolentino
• Jury Prize (Documentary – Open): “Mga Muni-muni sa Gitna ng Ambon” by Gio Gonzalves
• Best Short Film (Open category) : “Paon” – Seb Valdez
• 2nd : “Hoy! Pili ka na!” – Banjo Hinolan
• 3rd : “Kaon” – Miguel Dimaiwat
• Best Documentary (Student): “Di Lalim, Di Lalit” – Nicole Reyes
• 2nd: “Shalom” – Kiah Resurrecion
• 3rd: “Cemento” – Justine Borlagdan
• Jury Prize (Short Film – Student): “Duros” – Harvey Gozado
• Best Short Film (Student): “Lugud” – Jarno Malonzo
• 2nd: “Mga Unsa na Lang ta Ani”
• 3rd: “Mga Ulol”
Helmed by Cris Fuego, ‘Pinikas’ dominated the awards ceremony at the Gateway 2 Cinemas. It took home the Best Picture, Best Director, and multiple technical awards.
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