During the first ever awards night for the summer edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) last April 11, Jun Lana’s psychological film About Us But Not About Us emerged as the big winner, having bested seven other films to bring home the most awards from the event held at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City.

About Us But Not About Us dominated by bagging awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Romnick Sarmenta) and Special Jury Prize (Elijah Canlas). In the technical categories, the film also won Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Sound, Best Musical Score, and Best Production Design.

READ: Romnick Sarmenta reveals why he accepted gay role in new film

During the event, internationally acclaimed actress Dolly de Leon led the MMFF jury to proclaim the best films at the festival. Other acting award winners included Gladys Reyes for Best Actress in Apag, Keempee de Leon for Best Supporting Actor in Here Comes the Groom, and Kaladkaren who made history as the first transgender actress to win a Best Supporting Actress nod for her performance in Here Comes the Groom. 

READ: Romnick Sarmenta admits being questioned if he was gay by a family member

Here is the full list of winners of the Summer MMFF 2023:

Best Picture: About Us But Not About Us

Second Best Picture: Love You Long Time

Third Best Picture: Here Comes the Groom

Best Director: Jun Robles Lana (About Us But Not About Us)

Best Actor: Romnick Sarmenta (About Us But Not About Us)

Best Actress: Gladys Reyes (Apag)

Best Supporting Actor: Keempee de Leon (Here Comes the Groom)

Best Supporting Actress: Kaladkaren (Here Comes The Groom)

Best Screenplay: Jun Robles Lana (About Us But Not About Us)

Best Cinematography: Neil Daza (About Us But Not About Us)

Best Editing: Lawrence Ang (About Us But Not About Us)

Best Sound: Armand de Guzman (About Us But Not About Us)

Best Musical Score: Teresa Barrozo (About Us But Not About Us)

Best Original Theme Song: “Paralaya” by Andy Alviz (Apag)

Best Production Design: Marxie Maolen Fadul (About Us But Not About Us)

Special Jury Prize: Here Comes the Groom and Elijah Canlas

Best Float: Love You Long Time

The summer edition of the MMFF runs in local cinemas nationwide from April 8 until April 18.