LONDON - Film student Paulo Reyes won the top prize for his film "First Steps to Recovery" in the family category in Faith Shorts 2011, a global film competition by the Tony Blair Faith Foundation.

He accepted the trophy at the Faith Shorts 2011 awards ceremony held at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta). 

From 14 short-listed entries of filmmakers aged 14-18, a winner was chosen for each of the three categories. UK’s Amna Aslam won in the action category for her film ‘Muhammad In Accrington..Inspiring Me’ and Nadim Merrikh of Canada is the winner in the musical category for his entry ‘Be The Change You Want to See.’

Reyes, a scholar at LASALLE College of the Arts in Singapore, flew to London with his father for the awards ceremony.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Reyes said: “It has been a dream of mine to come to BAFTA, even just to visit and it is incredible that I am now receiving an award here. I would like to say that my real desire for this film, even more that this award is to touch the lives and hearts of people all over the world regardless of what religion or belief they have.”

Reyes thanked God, his family and friends for their support and the Tony Blair Faith Foundation for the opportunity it opened for young filmmakers from all over the world.

The 18-year-old filmmaker dedicated the film to Filipinos all across the world.
 
“I would like to dedicate this film to all the Filipinos around the world. Their faith continuously inspires me despite the troubles and hardships our country has to face. I still believe we are the happiest people on earth,” said Reyes.

Reyes told ABS-CBN Europe that he drew inspiration for the short film from his personal experience. "First Steps to Recovery" deals with terminal illness and a boy’s unwavering faith in God.

“I was going through a tough time when I was still living in Singapore and I wanted to write the character based on the person that I  wanted to be, a little boy with big faith,” he explained. 

Receiving the award at the Bafta and meeting some of the big names in the UK film industry was an opportunity of a lifetime for a young filmmaker who wants to conquer Hollywood in the future.

“For me, I see it as a platform to get my name out and hopefully show my film internationally,” said Reyes.

The judging panel for the competition included actor Hugh Jackman, Oscar-winning producer Lord Puttnam, actor and campaigner Jet Li, businesswoman and filmmaker Wendi Murdoch, actor and producer Anil Kapoor, His Excellency Mustafa Ceric, the grand Mufti of Bosnia, and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, among others.

“I was very touched by Paulo’s film’

Faith Shorts is an annual short film competition by the Tony Blair Faith Foundation.

With the theme "Let me show you how my faith inspires me," the competition received entries from filmmakers from Sikh, Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Jewish and humanist backgrounds.

Speaking with ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is also the founder and patron of the Tony Blair Faith Foundation (TBFF), said he liked the twist in Reyes’ short film.

“It had a lovely touch to it and a lot of sensitivity and compassion. Paulo is an example of a Filipino who has a great future and the Philippines is one of the most exciting places in the world,” said Blair.

He added: “I was very touched by Paulo’s film. It has a very positive message about faith being a great source of strength to those facing difficult times in their life.”

Blair visited the Philippines for the first time a few months ago to launch the foundation’s work in the country.

“The country has had a difficult past but there is a genuine commitment to work towards a more peaceful future with mutual understanding between all faiths,” Blair said. 

‘The Philippines is behind you’

During the awards ceremony, a video message from Brother Armin Luistro, secretary of Department of Education, was also presented to Reyes.

“As a young boy, I have always believed in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I can’t feel it. In this day and age, this is a central message that young people are looking towards--a faith in a god that moves us even if he does not pull us through the problems that we face today. Again, congratulations Paulo, the Philippines is behind you," Luistro said.