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MANILA, Philippines — Veteran actress Judy Ann Santos won the Best Actress award at the 45th Fantasporto International Film Festival in Portugal for her performance in the horror film "Espantaho."
Santos, who previously took home the Best Actress trophy for the same role at the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), personally accepted the award.
Judy Ann Santos holds her Best Actress trophy from the 45th Fantasporto International Film Festival in Portugal INSTAGRAM PHOTO/RYAN_AGONCILLO
She said in her speech, "I would like to thank the jury, Fantasporto for the recognition. It is with great pride and honor that I'm here to represent my country which is the Philippines. I would also like to share this award to my director Chito Roño, our writer Chris Martinez, and my producer Atty. Joji [Alonso], and of course, to [the] Espantaho team, and to my husband and to my three children. They've always been my inspiration in every project [that] I make. Porto is such a beautiful city. I'm just so happy that I'm bringing home the best souvenir. Thank you."
Santos was accompanied by her husband, actor-host Ryan Agoncillo, at the international film festival. In an Instagram post, Agoncillo shared a photo of Santos holding her trophy, captioning it, "Happy to be here."
Her family and celebrities friends congratulated her in the comment section including Iza Calzado, Marvin Agustin, Jolina Magdangal, Beth Tamayo, Kean Cipriano, Isabelle Daza, Ogie Alcasid and Dingdong Dantes.
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Meanwhile, producer Atty. Alonso shared her gratitude in Facebook post on 9 Sunday saying, 'This year, the four juries of the 45th edition of the Oporto International Film Festival – Fantasporto have given us a truly astonishing list of winners, which only goes to show the quality of the event's program. Asian and North American cinema were clear winners of the festival."
Judy Ann Santos holds her Best Actress trophy from the 45th Fantasporto International Film Festival in Portugal INSTAGRAM PHOTO/RYAN_AGONCILLO
"In the Fantasy Film main competition section, Asian star Judy Ann Santos won for her performance in Scarecrow, and American Brendan Bradley won for Succubus.'" she added.
The Fantasporto International Film Festival, held annually in Porto, Portugal, is recognized as one of the most prestigious genre film festivals in the world.
Complete list of winners at the 45th Fantasporto International Film Festival:
Jury's Special Award: Cielo, directed by Alberto Sciamma (UK)
Best Direction: Sam Quah for A Place Called Silence (China)
Best Actor: Brendan Bradley for Succubus (USA)
Best Screenplay: Yugo Sakamoto for Ghost Killer (Japan)
Best Cinematography: Alex Metcalfe for Cielo, directed by Alberto Sciamma (UK)
Best Short Film: Happy People, directed by Budavari Balazs (Hungary)
Special Mention of Fantasy Jury: Gosto de Te Ver Dormir, directed by Hugo Pinto (Portugal)
