A family short drama directed by a Bacoleño filmmaker won the best short film at the 71st Film Academy for Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) awards night held at the Manila Hotel on Sunday, August 13.
Kurt Soberano’s film titled “Golden Bells” won the Best Short Film in the country out of five nominees under the category.
Soberano said that he is thankful to the FAMAS organizing committee for recognizing the work of his production, and for showing appreciation for the story of his family.
“As my story is about my uncle, and his father (my grandfather), I would like to dedicate this award to my dad, whose birthday was two days before the awards night,” he said.
Golden Bells is set in the year 1979 in Bacolod’s downtown area where a young Chinese-Filipino boy witnesses his father’s dream come true as he opens a small clothing store and realizes the need to maintain the family’s legacy.
Prior to receiving the FAMAS award, the film was also given the Audience Choice Award and Special Citation for Photography at the Cisterna Film Festival in Italy.
The film also competed in the short film category of the recently-concluded 19th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival.
Soberano said that he wants to recognize the efforts of his cast and crew as the film would be nothing without his team.
“Film is a collaborative art, and it takes a passionate group of individuals who are working together to make a good idea come to life,” Soberano added.*