MANILA, Philippines — Andrea Brillantes has brought international recognition to Filipino cinema after winning the Best Acting Performance award at the 2026 Women and the World International Film Festival in London for her lead role in the Philippine film “Laya.”
The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) congratulated Brillantes and the film's production team in a social media post on Friday.
“The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) warmly congratulates Andrea Brillantes and the entire team of ‘Laya’ for winning the Best Acting Performance award in a category that also featured acclaimed actress Patricia Clarkson,” the agency said.
“Laya,” directed by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo, was selected for the festival's Feature Fiction Competition as the Philippines' sole entry. Bernardo also received a Best Director nomination.
Rein Entertainment, the film's producer, also celebrated Brillantes' achievement, saying, “A win is at shore for LAYA!”
“Congratulations to Andrea Brillantes, winner of the Best Acting Performance award at the 2026 Women and the World International Film Festival in London for LAYA!” the production company posted.
Rein Entertainment further highlighted the film's representation of the region, describing it as “the only Southeast Asian film in the festival’s Feature Fiction Competition.”
“LAYA marks a proud moment for Filipino cinema and women’s stories on screen,” it added.
Brillantes stars as Sab, a young woman who travels to a quiet seaside town in Oslob, Cebu, to seek revenge against Tuki, a reclusive former convict played by JC Santos, whom she blames for her father's death. As she gets closer to him, however, she discovers that he has changed and is carrying secrets of his own.
The film also stars Anthony Jennings and is written and directed by Bernardo.
Supported by the FDCP's CreatePHFilms Funding Program, “Laya” is scheduled to open in select cinemas nationwide on Nov. 25.
