Filipino film ‘Amon Banwa sa Lawud’ wins big at Irish film festival

Filipino film “Amon Banwa sa Lawud” directed by Anton Juan won the award for Best International Feature Film at the 2023 Louth International Film Festival | Photo from Our Island of the Mangrove Moons/Facebook

In a triumph for Filipino cinema, “Amon Banwa sa Lawud” (Our Island of the Mangrove Moons), directed by filmmaker Anton Juan, clinched the Best International Feature Film award at the 2023 Louth International Film Festival on Oct. 1. 

This cinematic masterpiece, co-produced by the Erehwon Center for the Arts and the Kellogg Institute for International Studies at Notre Dame University in the United States, weaves a narrative of resilience, portraying the island dwellers of Suyac in Negros, Philippines, as they ardently defend their heritage and way of life against external threats.

Founded in 2019, the festival is an annual gathering held on the enchanting east coast of Ireland, nestled within the County of Louth. 

Celebrated for its unwavering support for emerging talents in filmmaking and its embrace of innovative, thought-provoking cinema from across the globe, the event attracts a diverse audience encompassing local communities, industry connoisseurs, students, and film aficionados.

“Thank you so much for all your support,” said Juan at the event as he shared the honor with the Erehwon Center for the Arts, the US-based Kellogg Institute for International Studies, Performance Laboratory, The Negros Museum, and the City Government of Sagay for their contributions to the project’s success.

“Amon Banwa sa Lawud” serves as an artistic homage to the tenacity of small island communities and as a clarion call to recollect and stand firm against the perils looming over their historical existence. 

The film underscores the need to safeguard their language and culture while preserving their invaluable legacy. Employing mesmerizing choreography, captivating visuals, enthralling poetry, and the ethereal presence of departed souls, the movie crafts a story that’s emblematic of ethical filmmaking, community unity, and the importance of upholding tradition.

Before making its international debut, the film made its mark with local screenings on Suyac Island, Sagay City, and at the Cinematheque Centre Negros at The Negros Museum in Bacolod. 

The Louth International Film Festival has carved out a niche for itself as an open-hearted and supportive platform for filmmakers, championing creativity and fostering enduring relationships. 

With this victory, “Amon Banwa sa Lawud” adds another laurel to the realm of Filipino cinema, personifying the potent art of storytelling and the indomitable spirit of island communities in the face of transformations and adversities.