Eduardo Roy Jr. accepts the Special Mention award for his film at the VIFF

MANILA, Philippines - Eduardo Roy Jr.’s Bahay Bata (Baby Factory) was awarded Special Mention at the ongoing Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) in Canada. Roy was in Vancouver and received the award from fellow filmmaker Charliebebs Gohetia, who edited the film, and programmer Tony Rayns.

The Sun-Beaten Path from China (Tibet) was awarded the Dragons and Tigers Award for Young Cinema which came with $10,000. The jury, composed of British producer Simon Field (Uncle Bonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives), Chinese filmmaker Ann Hui and South Korean filmmaker Yang Ikjune, gave another Special Mention to Recreation from Japan.

The other entries in section include Marlon Rivera’s Ang Babae sa Septic Tank and Vincent Sandoval’s Señorita. Rivera with lead star Eugene Domingo and producer, lawyer Joji Alonso also attended the festival.

Gohetia’s The Natural Phenomenon of Madness was screened out of competition.

Last year, Ralston Jover’s Bakal Boys was given a Special Mention while John Torres’ Todo Todo Peros won the Young Cinema Award in 2006. 

Bahay Bata was in the new breed category of this year’s Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival. It was written by Roy and Jerome Zamora and features Diana Zubiri and Sue Prado with the special participation of Yul Servo.

Bahay Bata will open in select theaters on Oct. 19. It will be distributed by Ignatius Film.