Filipino filmmaker’s ‘Village Keeper’ earns 16 nods at Canadian Screen Awards
Photo from Enrique Baniqued/Instagram
Filipino-produced film “Village Keeper” continues to impress award-giving bodies and international film festivals as it recently earned an impressive 16 nominations at the Canadian Screen Awards, including Best Picture and Best First Feature Film.
This recognition is a milestone for the film, which has already garnered attention on the international stage, including a spot at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2024.
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As the film heads toward its US premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) running from Feb. 4 to 15, it’s clear that “Village Keeper” is keeping its commitment to show Filipino excellence and story to the world.
Following its recent victory for Best Feature Film at the Regent Park Film Festival in December, “Village Keeper” continues to climb the ranks in the world of cinema.
As filmmaker Enrique Baniqued shared in an exclusive interview with Inquirer.net US and Canada, “Being up for 16 categories at the Canadian Screen Awards, including Best Picture and Best First Feature Film, is an overwhelming and humbling moment.”
“When we set out to make Village Keeper, it was a leap of faith—an ambitious project that challenged us in every way,” he added.
Baniqued expressed that the recognition of “Village Keeper” at such a high level serves as a validation of the risks the team took and the dedication of everyone who put their heart into the film, despite working with a micro-budget and a quick shooting schedule.
This campaign has been nothing short of a whirlwind, according to him. “It’s about more than just awards; it’s about amplifying underrepresented voices and ensuring the film’s themes resonate on a larger scale,” he said. “The response has been incredible, and it’s amazing to see how much this story means to audiences.”
For Baniqued, the entire journey has been transformative. Reflecting on his personal growth, he shared that as a young producer, the experience has been eye-opening, reinforcing his belief in taking creative risks and advocating for stories and voices that deserve to be heard. Despite the uncertainties, he emphasized that pushing forward has been crucial.
“No matter the outcome, this campaign has already been a milestone moment—one that fuels my passion for what’s ahead. Something I didn’t expect as a first go at this filmmaking thing,” he added.
“Village Keeper,” set for release in Canadian cinemas in March or April 2025, will have a special screening at the Toronto Black Film Festival on Feb. 15.
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