Controversial erotic film “Dreamboi” emerged as the biggest winner at the inaugural CineSilip Film Festival, taking home major awards including Best Film, Best Director for Rodina Singh and Best Supporting Actor for Migs Almendras.
The film also swept several technical categories such as Best Sound, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Production Design, and the Audience Choice Award during the awards night held at Viva Café, Araneta City, Cubao, on Monday, Oct. 27.
The Audience Choice Award was the first honor received by Singh, a trans filmmaker, who delivered an acceptance speech that quickly went viral online.
“Gusto ko munang pasalamatan yung lahat ng nag-show up sa sinehan kasi, surprisingly, napupuno ho namin yung mga sinehan. Napupuno enough para ma-bother yung iba na bakit mas marami ang nanonood ng CineSilip kesa sa ‘Quezon,’” the director remarked.
Singh went on to emphasize the importance of embracing sexuality in cinema: “Nagsasabi lang ako kasi I think a lot of people are missing out what this festival could bring to the table. We are 180 million Filipinos. Ang daming malibog sa Pilipinas.
“CineSilip is here to exist kasi kailangan natin ng mga ganitong pelikula, festival para sabihin na ang pakikipagtalik ay hindi lamang para mag-anak, di ba? Ang pakikipagtalik ay masarap at pleasurable, at iniaalay ko po ito sa lahat ng nanood.”
In her emotional acceptance speech for Best Director, Singh expressed heartfelt gratitude to her cast, crew, and the film festival.
“I’m really grateful to CineSilip for giving us the opportunity to bring this story to life,” she said tearfully.
Rodina Singh of “Dreamboi” gets emotional as she delivers her acceptance speech for Best Director during the Awards…
Posted by Philippine Star on Monday, October 27, 2025
Meanwhile, Almendras took to social media to express his pride and gratitude for the recognition.
“Thank you @cinesilipfilmfest for this recognition as your ‘Best Supporting Actor’ 🏆 Thank you and congratulations to @iamrodafrog
and team @dreamboidump for letting me be your Maki. Limited characters here. But I’m really thankful for a lot of people who I have worked with ❤️🔥”, he wrote on X.
Days before its premiere, “Dreamboi” faced regulatory challenges when the MTRCB flagged it for scenes deemed inappropriate for public viewing. The film initially received an X-rating twice before being reclassified as R-18 upon its third review.
Meanwhile, Martin del Rosario won Best Actor for his performance in “Haplos sa Hangin,” where he called for more openness toward erotic cinema.
“Sana mawala na ‘yung stigma sa mga erotic movies. Kaya naman natin gumawa ng sexy na may kwento rin. Sana mas maging progresibo tayo sa sekswalidad, gender identity at iba pa,” said Martin.
Here are the complete list of winners of the 1st CineSilip Film Festival:
Best Musical Score: Paulo Almaden (Haplos sa Hangin)
Best Sound: Immanuel Verona and John Buquid (Dreamboi)
Best Production Design: Chips Day Abando (Dreamboi)
Best Editing: Arnex Nicolas (Dreamboi)
Best Cinematography: Malay Javier (Dreamboi)
Best Supporting Actress: Chloe Jenna (Maria Azama: Best Porn Star)
Best Supporting Actor: Migs Almendras (Dreamboi)
Best Actress: Angela Morena (Pagdaong)
Best Actor: Martin del Rosario (Haplos sa Hangin)
Best Screenplay: Sonny Calvento and Mikko Baldoza (Haplos sa Hangin)
Best Director: Rodina Singh (Dreamboi)
3rd Best Film: Haplos sa Hangin
2nd Best Film: Pagdaong
CineSilip Best Film: Dreamboi
