Do we still have a room for another award-giving body?

The more, the merrier.

If local movies don’t make money anymore, can award-giving bodies help boost the local film industry bounce back?

Because reviews, especially positive, and awards can attract moviegoers to patronize films.

Currently, there are one thousand and one award-giving bodies in the Philippines and still counting.

Maria Clara Award, which is the precursor of Famas, died its natural death after one or two awarding.

The Gawad Urian of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (MPP) still thrives along with Star Awards of the Philippines Movie Press Club. Young Critic Circle (YCC) is still very active as well as the Luna Award for the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP).

Gawad Pasado (Pampelikulang Samahan ng mga Dalubguro) and Gawad Tanglaw (Tagapuring mga Akademisyan ng Aninong Gumagalaw), both academe-based award bodies are always on the go.  

Universities also give out awards like UP Diliman and UP Los Banos have also their film or mass media awards, both named Gandingan Awards although UPLB has Isko’t Iska’s Multi-Media Awards in the subtitle.

While Enpress or Entertainment Press’ Golden Screen Awards are taking the backseat, there are various awards on films and other mass media sprouting like mushrooms.

Society of Filipino Film Reviewers (SFFR) is an addition to the long list of award-giving bodies.

SFRR is composed of writers or reviewers whom I come across once in a while.

Although they have been in existence for six years, this 2026 is their first time to have an in-person awarding.

The award is billed, Pinoy Review Awards.

The recipients of their first physical awarding are Nick Deocampo as SFRR Awardee for Film Heritage.

The other awardees recognized at the Faura Hall AVR of Ateneo de Manila University recently were “Only We Know,” Best Screenplay, Irene Villamor and Best Film; “Sunshine,” Best Direction, Antoinette Jadaone and Best Lead Performance, Maris Racal; “Dreamboi,” Best Score, Silas Baby.

“Raging,” Best Sound, Lamberto Casas, Jr. and “Manila’s Finest,” Best Production Design, Digo Ricio.

“The Road to Sydney,” Sonia Delen and Sydney Loyola, Best Documentary Feature Film.

Awardees in the short film categories included “Moonlighters,” Coby Mercado, Best Narrative Short Film, Director; “Calling 84843,” Raia Miranda, Best Experimental Short Film, Director; “Moonlighters,” Best Narrative Short Film, Producer and “Para-Paraan,” Kat Hernandez, Best Documentary Short Film, Producer.

Of course, there’s Goldwin Reviews which are not confirmed if this is a group effort but already controversial this early.   

Different award bodies, different sets of beliefs and standards.

May the toughest of them last.