Set in the Philippines during World War II, a young woman struggles to find herself after losing her father.
Philippines | 18 mins | 2021 | Kapampangan, Tagalog
Currently being submitted to film festivals.
Featuring Carina Febie Augustin and Lau Apostol
Shot at Mount Arayat, Pampanga, Philippines
Directed by Myra Aquino
Written by Myra Aquino and Eric Hwang
Creative Production by Tita Pambid and Reuben Domingo
Cinematography by Tey Clamor
Production Design by Juan Pablo Pineda III
Costume Design by Rowel Pasion
Edited by Lawrence Fajardo and Myra Aquino
Music by Nathan Matthew David
Music Supervision by Angela Asistio
AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS
2020 1st Place Gold Circle Award for Best Student Film at the Caucus Foundation
2021 Best Short Film: Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival
2022 Jack Larson Southern California Filmmaker Award: KCET Fine Cut Festival of Films (with screening at 2022 Newport Beach Film Festival)
2023 Outstanding Student Project: Micheaux Film Festival
2022 Best Narrative: DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival
2022 Audience Choice Award: Guam International Film Festival
2022 Best Narrative Short Film: San Diego Filipino Film Festival
2022 Best Student Short Film, Best Cinematography: Cebu International Film Festival
2022 Honorable Mention: Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival & Lecture Series
2022 Best Screenplay: FilAm Creative Shorts Awards at 8th Asian World Film Festival
2022 Best Foreign Short: LA Femme International Film Festival
2022 Best Student Film: City of Angels Women’s Film Festival
2022 Best Short Finalist: Manila Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) Film Festival
2022 Best Asian Short Finalist: Seoul International Women’s Film Festival
2021 UCLA Directors’ Spotlight
OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
2022 Cinema Rehiyon
2022 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival
2022 Cine 36: Pagsibol
2022 Houston Asian American & Pacific Islander Film Festival
2022 Diwa Filipino Film Showcase in Seattle
2022 Dances With Films Film Festival
2022 Woods Hole Film Festival
2022 Asian American International Film Festival
2022 Bengaluru International Short Film Festival
2022 Hollyshorts Film Festival
2022 Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival
2022 Cinefest Sudbury International Film Festival
2022 St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival
2022 Evolution! Mallorca International Film Festival
2022 Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival
2023 Seattle Asian American Film Festival
2023 Through Women’s Eyes International Film Festival
2023 Columbus International Film & Animation Festival
2023 Blackbird Film Festival
2023 Calaca Film Festival
2023 UCLA TFT API Film Night
2023 Filipino Independent Film Festival – Netherlands
ARTICLES
– Pinoy filmmakers namamayagpag sa pagbabalik ng Guam Film Festival (“Pinoy filmmakers do well at the return of the Guam Film Festival”) | TFC News Guam
– Film fest honors best entries | Guam Daily Post
– GIFF announces Best of Festival, Audience Choice Awards | PACIFIC DAILY NEWS
– Films that ‘look like home’: local directors showcase work at GIFF | PACIFIC DAILY NEWS
– Fine Cut 2022 Winners Showcase a Diversity of Perspectives | KCET
– KCET’s 23rd Fine Cut Festival of Films Announces Student Finalists, Industry Judges | VARIETY
– Beauty Queen wins Best Film at Cinemalaya 2021 (multiple news outlets) | CULTURAL CENTER OF THE PHILIPPINES | PHILIPPINE INQUIRER | MANILA BULLETIN | PHILIPPINE STAR | ESQUIRE MAGAZINE | PACIFIC DAILY NEWS | ADOBO MAGAZINE | MANILA TIMES | BUSINESS WORLD
– Pandemic brings out creativity in 3 filmmakers as seen in their Cinemalaya entries | PHILIPPINE INQUIRER
– Myra Aquino: “Trust Your Voice and Believe That Your Voice Matters” | THE FILM DREAM
– Beauty Queen selected for 2021 UCLA Director’s Spotlight | UCLA TFT
– 2020 grant received from The Caucus Foundation | CAUCUS FOUNDATION
– UCLA film student draws on Filipino heritage in thesis project ‘Beauty Queen’ | UCLA DAILY BRUIN
– ‘Beauty Queen’ recognized by Caucus Foundation | ABC NEWS