“On the Road (En El Camino)” led the winners at the 43rd Miami Film Festival, taking the festival’s top jury prize, the $10,000 Marimbas Award. Directed by David Pablos, the film was recognized as the narrative feature that best exemplifies “richness and resonance for cinema’s future,” according to the festival.
Additional top honors included the Made in MIA Feature Film Award, which went to “The Old Man and the Parrot,” directed by Gabriel de Varona. The prize, which carries a $15,000 cash award, recognizes films that prominently feature South Florida in their story or production.
The $10,000 Jordan Ressler First Feature Award was awarded to “Second Victims,” directed by Zinnini Elkington, honoring the best debut narrative feature.
Audience awards were led by “Comandante Fritz,” directed by Pavel Giroud, which won the Audience Feature Film Award. “Milly, Queen of Merengue,” directed by Leticia Tonos Paniagua, was named first runner-up, followed by “I Swear,” directed by Kirk Jones.
In documentary categories, “TheyDream,” directed by William D. Caballero, won the Documentary Achievement Award, while “Runa Simi,” directed by Augusto Zegarra, took the Audience Documentary Film Award.
The festival, presented by Miami Dade College, ran April 9–19 and featured films from around the world, continuing its focus on Ibero-American and international cinema.
Monday, April 20
Manny Jacinto, Liza Soberano, and More to Star in Filipino Animated Series “Sun Chaser,” Pilot Launches at Annecy International Animation Film Festival
The animated adventure-comedy series “Sun Chaser” will launch its pilot during the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, held June 21–27 in Annecy, France.
Created by Bobby Pontillas and Bernard Badion and produced by an all-Filipino team of artists, “Sun Chaser” follows the story of Jordan Santos (Manny Jacinto), “a self-absorbed teen whose carefree summer is upended when an ancient icy villain attacks his grandmother’s island in the Philippines. Thrust into an unexpected role as protector of his younger cousins, Jordan and his crew are pulled into a mythic ocean realm, setting sail aboard a legendary vessel known as the Sun Chaser. As they navigate enchanted seas and extraordinary islands to rescue his grandmother and save the island, Jordan must evolve from a reluctant kid into a true leader.”
Along with Jacinto, Liza Soberano (“Forgotten Island”), Eugene Cordero (“Loki”), and stand-up comedian JR De Guzman will star. Philippine performers Charo Santos, Dingdong Dantes, Zia Dantes, AC Bonifacio, and KD Estrada round out the cast.
“Sun Chaser” previously won Animation du Monde at the 2025 festival and is produced by Miguel Del Rosario and Marlyn Montano. The film is animated entirely by the Toon City and PlayLab studios in the Phillipines and is co-produced by Liza Soberano’s Funny Face Films.
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