Pinoy Pride: Direk Njel de Mesa wins big as “Best International Film Director” in Japan

AWARD-WINNING director-writer-producer Njel de Mesa of NDMstudios wins big as “Best International Film Director Award” at the recently concluded Annual Jinseo Arigato International Film Festival. 

The award was given by the Office of the Consulate General (Consul General Roy Ecraela), Nestor Puno of FCCJ, Takuji Sawada of the Earth as a special citation award to honor Direk Njel’s milestone achievement in remarkable filmmaking (while being the first Filipino Director-Producer to world premiere six (6) unreleased films in a film festival).

NJEL DE MESA

Other big winners were: Nora Aunor as Hall of Fame International Actress, Alden Richards as “Best International Filipino Actor”, Sanya Lopez as “Best Filipino TV Personality”, Arci Muñoz “Best International Filipino Actress”, GMA Network’s Sparkle as “Best Filipino Artist & Talent Management”, and Kiray Celis as “Best Versatile Comedienne”. 

Other honorary special citations were also given to Chief Persida Acosta for her “Excellence in Public Service & Creative Arts”—as well as the top award “Champion of Life” to Senator Bong Go for his remarkable achievements in saving lives & medical aid. 

Direk Njel de Mesa premiered the various films that he shot in Maldives, Singapore, Philippines, and Japan at the prestigious JAIFF this year held at the massive Nagoya Trade and Industry Center in Central Japan.

“Although he is already an award-winning artist several times over—and do not need recognition—we still want to give him a symbol of how the Filipino-Japanese community appreciates everything he does for the city, the Philippines and Japan.

 

"His critical and invaluable contribution in the formation and development of the Jinseo Arigato International Film Festival may be regarded as an historical accomplishment –since it will promote Filipino and Japanese creative and cultural relations for years to come,” says Mr. Raoul Imbach—a French Artist/Musician & Counselor from the Swiss Embassy who is a part of the Jury.

Ms. Annette Gozon-Valdes (Senior Vice President of GMA Network), Jared Dougherty (VP of Sony Pictures Asia), as well as members of the Filipino community and Japanese media were present at the occasion.