Miami Film Festival Highlights: "On the Road" Victorious and "Sun Chaser" Pilot Premiere
Celebrating Cinematic Excellence and Anticipating Animated Adventures
"On the Road (En El Camino)" Secures Top Honors at Miami Film Festival
David Pablos' film, "On the Road (En El Camino)," distinguished itself at the 43rd Miami Film Festival, earning the prestigious $10,000 Marimbas Award. This accolade signifies the festival's recognition of the narrative feature that most profoundly embodies the "richness and resonance for cinema's future."
"The Old Man and the Parrot" Recognized for Local Impact
Another significant award, the Made in MIA Feature Film Award, was bestowed upon Gabriel de Varona's "The Old Man and the Parrot." This $15,000 prize celebrates films that prominently showcase South Florida's unique character through their storytelling or production, underscoring the region's vibrant cinematic landscape.
"Second Victims" Honored as Best Debut Narrative
Zinnini Elkington's directorial debut, "Second Victims," garnered the $10,000 Jordan Ressler First Feature Award. This award specifically acknowledges and supports the most promising new voices in narrative filmmaking.
Audience Favorites Emerge in Feature and Documentary Categories
The festival's audience also cast their votes, with Pavel Giroud's "Comandante Fritz" winning the Audience Feature Film Award. "Milly, Queen of Merengue," directed by Leticia Tonos Paniagua, was the first runner-up, followed by Kirk Jones's "I Swear." In the documentary realm, William D. Caballero's "TheyDream" received the Documentary Achievement Award, while Augusto Zegarra's "Runa Simi" was the Audience Documentary Film Award recipient. The festival, presented by Miami Dade College, ran from April 9 to 19, continuing its tradition of showcasing global and Ibero-American cinematic works.
Filipino Animated Series "Sun Chaser" to Debut Pilot at Annecy Festival
Exciting news from the animation world: the pilot episode of the adventure-comedy series "Sun Chaser" is set to premiere at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival in Annecy, France, from June 21 to 27. This series, created by Bobby Pontillas and Bernard Badion, features an entirely Filipino creative team and production. "Sun Chaser" tells the story of Jordan Santos, a self-absorbed teenager whose summer takes an unexpected turn when an ancient villain threatens his grandmother's island in the Philippines. He must embrace his role as a protector, navigating enchanted seas aboard the legendary Sun Chaser to save his family and island.
A Star-Studded Voice Cast for "Sun Chaser"
The animated series boasts an impressive voice cast, including Manny Jacinto as Jordan Santos, Liza Soberano ("Forgotten Island"), Eugene Cordero ("Loki"), and comedian JR De Guzman. Renowned Philippine performers Charo Santos, Dingdong Dantes, Zia Dantes, AC Bonifacio, and KD Estrada also lend their voices to the project. "Sun Chaser" previously won Animation du Monde at the 2025 festival and is produced by Miguel Del Rosario and Marlyn Montano. The animation is entirely handled by Toon City and PlayLab studios in the Philippines, with co-production by Liza Soberano's Funny Face Films
