‘Fan Girl’ star Charlie Dizon wins Best Actress award at 2020 MMFF
Fan Girl, a coming of age movie about a young woman who spends the night with her celebrity idol, is the big winner at this year’s Metro Manila Film Film Festival awards night on Sunday, December 27.
The film won eight awards, including the Best Picture award and the Best Director and Best Screenplay awards for Antoinette Jadaone.
"Sana lagi nating isipin na palakihin natin ang mga kabataan sa mapagpalayang Pilipinas, na ang kabataan ng pag-asa ng bayan, at tayong mga matatanda ang dapat nagbibigay sa kabataan nito sa Pilipinas ng dapat nilang hangaan, Jadaone said in her acceptance speech.
Paulo Avelino, who plays himself in the movie, won the Best Actor in a Leading Role award.
But perhaps the biggest win of the night is Fan Girl’s Charlie Dizon bagging the Best Actress in a Leading Role award.
The 24-year-old Dizon bested four other actresses for the award, including Nora Aunor of Isa Pang Bahaghari, Iza Calzado of Tagpuan, Ritz Azul of The Missing, and Sylvia Sanchez of Coming Home.
Jadaone had a very specific vision for Jane, the titular character in Fan Girl. She held open auditions for the role of Jane in February 2019. The director specifically looked for an actress who is “simple but may dating,” “shy but passionate,” and “with little or without acting experience.”
During the press conference for Fan Girl, Jadaone revealed Dizon wasn’t the first choice for the role. Another actress was chosen to play the film’s lead role, but she had to back out due to contract problems.
“Naka-set na kasi yung first shooting day namin. Hindi na namin pwedeng mabago kasi tatlong beses na kaming napa-pack up for one reason or the other. Siyempre yung budget lolobo. Madalian, na-call kami ng one more leg of auditions. Doon pumasok si Charlie,” she said.
Dizon had appeared in a number of TV shows including ABS-CBN’s Bagani and A Soldier’s Heart. She also starred in the movie Four Sisters Before The Wedding, the prequel to the 2013 comedy Four Sisters and a Wedding.
But Fan Girl is Dizon’s first leadng role. With the award and the attention she got for her role in the movie, it is also her breakthrough role.
Here are the winners of this year’s MMFF:
Best Actress in a Leading Role: Charlie Dizon - Fan Girl
Best Actor in a Leading Role: Paulo Avelino - Fan Girl
Best Picture: Fan Girl
2nd Best Picture: The Boy Foretold By The Stars
3rd Best Picture: Tagpuan
Best Director: Antoinette Jadaone - Fan Girl
Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Shaina Magdayao - Tagpuan
Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Michael de Mesa - Isa Pang Bahaghari
Best Screenplay: Antoinette Jadaone - Fan Girl
FPJ Memorial Award: Magikland
GatPuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award: Suarez: The Healing Priest
Jury Prize: Peque Gallaga
Gender Sensitivity Award: The Boy Foretold by the Stars
Best Cinematography: Neil Daza - Fan Girl
Best Editing: Benjamin Tolentino - Fan Girl
Best Production Design: Ericson Navarro - Magikland
Best Visual Effects: Richard Francia, Ryan Grimarez (Central Digital Lab) - Magikland
Best Original Theme Song: "Ulan" by Jhay Cura/Pau Protacio - The Boy Foretold by the Stars
Best Musical Score: Emerzon Texon - Magikland
Best Sound: Vincent Villa - Fan Girl
Best Child Performer: Seiyo Masunaga - The Missing
1st Manay Ichu Vera-Perez Maceda Memorial Award: Gloria Romero