Mark Meily's Donor, his Cinemalaya entry about organ trafficking, was named Best Film during the awards night of the 37th Brussels International Film Festival (BIFF).
This is actually Meily's third time to take part in the filmfest that took place recently in Belgium.
"Na-invite na ako dati sa Brussels in 1988 for my short film Ang Pangako ng Bagong Simulain starring Pen Medina and Ricky Davao," said Direk Mark in a previous interview with PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal).
"Nakakatuwa nga kasi twenty-two years later, babalik ako doon."
The lead actress of Donor, Meryll Soriano, tearfully accepted her Best Actress trophy during the awards night.
"Thank you very much to the jury and to the organization of Brussels International Film Festival. I'm so proud to be part of this and I'm very honored and I would like to congratulate the whole film Donor and to congratulate all the films included in this festival," ABS-CBN quoted her as saying during the November 7 awards night held in Belgium.
The daughter of Willie Revillame won the coveted award for her role as Lizette, a woman who sells her kidney to raise money for her placement fee so she can work abroad.
In 2004, Direk Mark's film Crying Ladies also earned the Best Actress award for Sharon Cuneta for her role as a grieving woman-for-hire.
Renowned Filipino director Brillante Mendoza was honored with a Visionary Award for his innovation and valuable contribution to independent films.
He was quoted as telling the crowd, "I'm happy to be back here. I was here two years ago for Foster Child. Thank you so much for this award. I really didn't expect this."
The 37th edition of the BIFF also marked the first time that a Filipino actor sat as one of the jurors in the person of Marvin Agustin.
The GMA-7 actor is one of the stars of the period film Sigwa, which was one of the films in exhibition. Directed by Joel Lamangan, this film tackles the intertwining lives of activists who lived during the First Quarter Storm of 1970.






Ricky Lo - what's ur comment?
Taon taon panalo halos pero lagi naman isnob sa Oscar race.
Tama ka! For once I would like to see star cinema or gma films do away with their usual formula on making movies. Naimpatso na tayo sa mga love stories, corny comedies, at dull horrors.
Congrats Meryll. Your Dad, Wille, is very proud of you.
So I've heard Ikaw yata and pinaka-favorite niya sa mga panganay niya cause you were there for him through thic and thin... so good karma ka.
stygian
November 13, 2010
07:26 AM
Buti pa mga indies natin nakikilala sa labas.
How about ung mga galing sa star cinema at gma films? Hehe!
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Ganoon naman ang kaibahan ng mainstream sa Indie. yung isa sa proven formula nakatuon para maging hit yung isa innovation para sa award. Ang makuha pareho ang international award at maging hit mainstream eh sobrang rare na yon. Sana ang star cinema or gma film eh magtry na mag-invest sa isang film na puwede talagang ilaban abroad at sana kumuha naman ng artista na bagay sa role at hindi lang porke sikat. Sa tindi ng marketing tool nila kaya naman siguro naman nilang magbenta ng movie kahit di naman masyadong sikat ang artista or kung sikat man willing magbago ng itsura para bumagay sa role. Hindi yung makapagwig lang okay na o maglagay ng uling sa mukha poor na o taong grasa na.
How about ung mga galing sa star cinema at gma films? Hehe!
Indie = underrated
often poor ticket sales
world class performance of our actors
usually, the casts are not BIG stars, but have superb acting skills
Mainstream = primarily concerned on the box office ticket sales
can attract moviegoers as long as the stars are popular.
the plot are the same, nothing ground-breaking.
PERIOD.