Filipino film “Lingua Franca” won the top prize at the 2020 Bentonville Film Festival in the United States.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) congratulated the film for winning the Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature in this year’s Bentonville Film Festival at Bentonville, Arkansas, US last Aug. 16.
“Congratulations to LINGUA FRANCA directed by Isabel Sandoval for the Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature at the Bentonville Film Festival 2020 at Bentonville, Arkansas, US last August 16, 2020! Ipinagmamalaki namin kayo! (We are proud of you),” the post read.
Directed by Isabel Sandoval, the film follows the story of an undocumented Filipino transwoman who works as a caregiver to a Russian elderly in New York. She became romantically involved with the Russian senior citizen’s grandson as she pursues a marriage to obtain a green card.
The Bentonville Film Festival is a “one of a kind event that champions inclusion in all forms of media,” according to its official website.
“Lingua Franca” is set to stream on Netflix starting Aug. 26.