Dubai, United Arab Emirates — Filipino entrepreneur and film producer Aquino Plotado added another international accolade to his growing list of achievements after being named Best Film Producer at the 12th Emirates Film Festival 2026. The awarding ceremony took place on July 26, 2026, at the New Covent Garden Theatre inside Mall of the Emirates in Dubai.
Plotado earned the recognition for producing the short film As the Call, So the Echo. The project has also been recognized at the festival, with lead actor Enzo Pineda winning Best Actor and writer-director Rusty Palacio Guarin taking home the Best Director award during the 11th Emirates Film Festival last year.
The latest achievement further strengthens Plotado’s track record in the United Arab Emirates. In July 2025, he was also honored with the Billion Dirhams Deal Maker Award at the Emirates Real Estate Awards 2025 for his outstanding contributions to both the real estate and film industries.
Leading this year’s winners was “Bukal,” directed by Epy Quizon, which received the coveted Best Film award. Quizon also earned Best Director, making Bukal one of the festival’s biggest success stories.
John Moreland Lynn won Best Actor for his outstanding performance in Quiet on Set, while Ruwani Tebuwanage received Best Actress for Police Seat. The award for Best Screenplay went to Tilamsik sa Dakilang Apoy, recognizing Francis Gacer’s compelling storytelling, while Vera claimed the Best Cinematography honor for its exceptional visual artistry.
Other major winners included:
- Best Editor: Thraattu
- Best Sound: Cassandra’s Client
- Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Yung Tayo Na Hindi Naging Tayo
- Best Production Design: Toxicity (Canada)
- Best Cast Ensemble: Osman
- Best Supporting Actor: Ritchie Barrios (Yung Tayo Na Hindi Naging Tayo)
- Best Supporting Actress: Jessica Miranda (Batingaw)
The festival also celebrated outstanding films from different regions of the world through its Regional Film Awards:
- Best Regional Film (South Asia): Thufaili (Uninvited Guest) — Shamnas PP (India)
- Best Regional Film (Southeast Asia): Tilamsik sa Dakilang Apoy — Frances L.J. Gacer (Philippines)
- Best Regional Film (Middle East): The Keyboard — Mohammed Mamdouh (Egypt)
- Best Regional Film (Europe): L’Appel — Maroussia Bleitrach (France)
- Best Regional Film (GCC): Unleash Your Imagination — Meral Niazi
- Best Emirati Film: The First — Noor Al Qasimi
The festival also recognized rising talents through its special awards, with Charmae Cabrera receiving the EFF Promising Actress award and Ron Jordan De Ocampo named EFF Promising Actor, and Orli Gayeta, who received the EFF Filmmaker Recognition Award, highlighting the next generation of filmmakers.
Looking ahead, Founder and CEO Ron Awa announced his vision of elevating the Emirates Film Festival into a more globally recognized event by welcoming filmmakers from around the world in future editions. His goal is to further establish Dubai as an international destination for cinema, creativity, and cultural exchange.
With another prestigious award to his name, Aquino Plotado continues to make his mark in both business and filmmaking while inspiring aspiring filmmakers through his passion for storytelling and international collaboration.
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