IN PHOTOS: Metro Manila Film Festival 2019 awards night

MINDANAO'S NIGHT. Judy Ann Santos makes a speech after their movie 'Mindanao' receives the Best Picture. All photos by Dion Besa/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – The 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival awards night was held on Friday, December 27, with Brillante Mendoza's Mindanao winning 11 awards including, Best Picture and top acting plums for Judy Ann Santos and Allen Dizon. (FULL LIST: Winners, MMFF 2019 awards night)

The film festival, which celebrated its 45th year, paid tribute to the veterans in the industry with the Hall of Fame awards. Among those who were honored include Vilma Santos, Maricel Soriano, Amy Austria, Nora Aunor, Cristopher de Leon, Cesar Montano, and directors Marilou Diaz-Abaya, Joel Lamangan, Jose Javier Reyes.

The organizers, led by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), also gave special citations to stalwarts of the film festival led by former president and Manila mayor Joseph Estrada and actress Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo.

HALL OF FAME. Cesar Montano and Christopher de Leon receives the special award as part of the Hall of Fame.

 

STALWARTS. National Artist Bienvenido Lumbrera, actress Boots Anson Roa Rodrigo, and former senator Jinggoy Estrada.

The awards night was hosted by Marco Gumabao and Bela Padilla.

HOSTS. Marco Gumabao and Bela Padilla

OPENING NUMBER. Viva's artists open the awards night.

MANILA SOUND. Dancers during the opening segment of the MMFF 2019 awards night.

MMDA chairman Danny Lim said summer film festival will happen in 2020, as announced early this year.

MMDA chairman Danny Lim

SCREENWRITERS. Roy Iglesias, Jose Javier Reyes, and Ricky Lee

Krystal Brimner

Janine Teñoso and Xia Vigor

ENSEMBLE CAST. The movie 'Culion' receives a Special award for the cast.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR. Joem Bascon receives his trophy for 'Write About Love.'

BEST PICTURE. Director Brillante Mendoza receives the award for the movie 'Mindanao.'

SURPRISE WIN. Allen Dizon makes a speech after winning Best Actor for 'Mindanao.'

GOOD YEAR FOR JUDAY. Judy Ann Santos wins her second Best Actress award for 'Mindanao' after winning in the Cairo Film Festival.

— Rappler.com