Independent film director Raya Martin made the country proud once again when his much-acclaimed black-and-white opus “Independencia” bagged two important prizes in the recently concluded Bangkok International Film Festival.

“Independencia,” which is a sequel to Martin's first film, “Maicling Pelicula ng Ysang Indio Nacional (O Ang Mahabang Kalungkutan ng Katagalugan),” and set during the American occupation of the Philippines, captured the Grand Prize in the festival’s Southeast Asian Category for its “strong cinematic expression.”

The members of the Bangkok International Film Fest jury composed of Vincenzo Bugno, Royston Tan, and Tul Waitoonkiat added that the film is “visually adventurous with humor, expressing historical aspects while also very friendly to the audience.”

“Independencia” also bagged the NETPAC (Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema) Jury Prize Award for “exploring the history of the Philippines and the history of Philippine Cinema within the limited space and with a few characters."

Another Filipino entry, Cinema One’s “Imburnal,” was also recognized by the festival, giving it the Special Mention honor alongside Malaysia's “Call If You Need Me.”

“Imburnal” director Sherad Anthony Sanchez was cited by festival jurors for his “courage and bravery" by “putting together a very risky concept with complicated sociopolitical background."

“Manila,” Martin’s collaborative effort with Adolfo Alix Jr., which stars Piolo Pascual, Rosanna Roces, Jay Manalo, and Alessandra de Rossi, was also featured in the festival’s Southeast Asian Panorama section.

Alix’s own “Aurora” starring Rosanna Roces was screened in the festival as well.

The Bangkok citations allowed “Independencia” to continue its winning streak.

“Independencia” was awarded the Prince Claus Fund Film Grant in the 2007 CineMart Project. It then received again a grant worth €120,000 (P7 million) from the French government's Fonds Sud Cinema in 2008.

Early this year, “Independencia” became the first Filipino film to be included in the Un Certain Regard category of the Cannes International Film Festival.

The Bangkok International Film Festival, which is on its seventh year, was held September 24-30 in Thailand and was hosted by the local Tourism Authority together with the Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand.

Though reeling from a controversy stemming from an alleged case of corruption involving one of its former governors—who was accused of awarding an overpriced deal to contractors to organize the BKKIFF from 2003 to 2006—the seven-day festival was deemed “a huge success” by its organizers.