Filipino documentary adds three Belgian honors to four earlier international recognitions in 2026
DAVAO CITY (October 14) — Filipino documentary Beneath the Badge (Sa Likod ng Tsapa) has won three awards at the Brussels World Film Festival in Belgium, bringing its total to seven international awards and recognitions in 2026.
POP Movie House, the film’s production company, has received official notification from the festival organizers confirming the latest honors.
Directed by Filipino journalist and filmmaker Editha Z. Caduaya, the documentary received Best Female Director, Best Sound Design, and Best Cinematography during the festival’s September 2026 edition.
The latest awards add to four earlier international distinctions earned by the independent Philippine production at film festivals in Bangladesh, the United States, and India.
The Brussels recognition highlights the film’s creative and technical achievements, particularly its direction, cinematography, and sound design, while underscoring the growing international reach of independent Philippine filmmaking.
FOUR EARLIER INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITIONS
Before its latest awards in Belgium, Beneath the Badge received four international distinctions in 2026:
* Special Mention — Dhaka International Film Festival, Bangladesh, January 2026.
* Outstanding Excellence Award — Documentaries Without Borders Film Festival, United States, March 2026.
* Honorable Mention — Los Angeles Film Festival, September 2026.
* Jury Award for Best Female Director (Silver) — Ahmedabad International Film Festival, India, awarded on October 2, 2026.
Together with the three awards from Brussels, these bring the documentary’s reported total to seven international awards and recognitions in 2026, according to POP Movie House.
Produced by POP Movie House (Piyu Oceania Produksyon), Beneath the Badge explores the life and experiences of Police Brigadier General Hansel M. Marantan.
The documentary examines the personal struggles, professional challenges, controversies, and defining experiences that have shaped Marantan’s life and career in law enforcement. It looks beyond the police uniform to explore the human experiences behind a public figure whose career has intersected with significant events in Philippine policing.
Through documentary storytelling, the film invites audiences to reflect on public service, personal sacrifice, accountability, and the complex experiences that shape an individual’s journey.
For Caduaya, whose career spans more than three decades in journalism and documentary filmmaking, the project reflects her continuing commitment to telling stories about people, institutions, and consequential events.
“These international recognitions affirm that films from the regions can compete on the global stage when they tell compelling stories and demonstrate excellence in production. These awards are not just honors; they are a testament to the creative talent of Filipino filmmakers and the power of our stories to reach audiences around the world,” Caduaya said.
