Filipino-produced film ‘Village Keeper’ wins big at Canada’s Screen Awards
Photo from villagekeeperfilm/Instagram
Filipino filmmaker Enrique Miguel Baniqued is not yet done proving his worth in the Canadian film industry. His film “Village Keeper” has racked up an impressive seven nominations at the prestigious Canadian Screen Awards – widely regarded as Canada’s equivalent to the Oscars.
The film’s nods include Best Motion Picture, Best First Feature and Best Original Screenplay, marking Baniqued’s historic feat as the only Asian nominee this year and potentially the youngest in the award show’s history to receive a Best Picture nomination.
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“I’m very much surprised,” Baniqued told Inquirer.net USA, expressing his astonishment at the film’s recognition.
The nominations also extend to the cast, with Olunike Adeliyi earning a Best Actress nod, while Zahra Bentham, Micah MJ and first-time actress Maxine Simpson are all nominated for their supporting roles.
Despite working with a micro-budget and a tight shooting schedule, “Village Keeper” has captured the attention of critics and audiences alike.
Baniqued shared that the nominations are a powerful validation of the team’s dedication and the creative risks they took.
“It’s a testament to everyone who poured their heart into this film,” he expressed.
For Baniqued, the journey of creating “Village Keeper” has been deeply transformative. As a young producer, he described the experience as eye-opening, reinforcing his passion for telling bold, underrepresented stories.
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He emphasized that the project’s success underscores the importance of pushing forward, even in the face of uncertainty.
“Making this film was a leap of faith for me, stepping into something new and challenging as a 24-year-old,” he further shared.
Moreover, the young filmmaker reflected on how the process pushed him in ways he hadn’t experienced before – trusting his instincts and embracing the unknown.
Despite the risks, seeing the film resonate with audiences beyond Canada made it all worthwhile.
“Each screening opens up new conversations, new perspectives, and I’m excited to see how it resonates in the US at such a respected festival,” he added.
