Cignal Entertainment continues to shine on the international stage as its critically-acclaimed film, Big Night!, is now exclusively available across Southeast Asia on Prime Video starting August 1. This will give subscribers here and abroad the opportunity to watch this highly acclaimed masterpiece by writer-director Jun Robles Lana which centers on the country’s war on drugs. 

This exciting launch comes on the heels of the film’s most recent wins at the 70th FAMAS Awards held last Saturday, July 30. Truly embodying Cignal Entertainment’s top-caliber and global quality productions, Big Night! bagged the coveted awards for Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress for Janice De Belen. 

Since November 2021, Big Night! has been recognized by local and international film festivals and award-giving bodies such as the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia, Osaka Asian Film Festival, New York Asian Film Festival, Asian Film Festival, and the Metro Manila Film Festival where the film garnered 8 awards including Best Picture and Best Actor for its lead Christian Bables.

“It’s a great honor to see a Cignal Entertainment film such as Big Night! make its mark both in the local and international scenes. This is one of our most celebrated films because of all the awards and recognitions it has been garnering. I would like to congratulate those behind the successes of Big Night!, especially the actors and the creative and production teams for their outstanding contribution to this remarkable film,” shared Cignal TV President and CEO Robert P. Galang.

Co-produced by The IdeaFirst Company, OctoberTrain, and Quantum Films, Big Night! is now available on Prime Video as part of the video streaming platform’s offerings starting this month. To watch more entertaining movies and series produced by Cignal Entertainment, download the Cignal Play app through the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. For more information, visit facebook.com/CignalEntertainment.

Philippine cinema takes the spotlight on the international stage following the remarkable victory of Cignal Entertainment’s Big Night! and Resbak (Payback), which bagged major awards at the 19th Asian Film Festival held from April 7 to 13, 2022 at the Farnese Arthouse in Rome, Italy. Deemed as one of the most significant exhibitions of Asia films in the world, the festival featured 30 films from Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Out of all the nominees from the eight participating countries, director Brillante Mendoza (Resbak) was bestowed the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Roma Lazio Film Commission, while Christian Bables (Big Night!) and Vince Rillon (Resbak [Payback]) won Best Actor. Both Resbak (Payback) and Big Night! are produced by Cignal Entertainment and will also be available on streaming platforms soon.

Directed by Mendoza, Resbak (Payback) follows the story of Isaac (played by Vince Rillon), a motorbike thief who gets rebuffed after asking his boss for help when he gets chased by the police. Isaac then plans vengeance against his boss. The film, carrying the international name “Payback,” is set to be released in the Philippines soon. 

Meanwhile, Big Night!, directed by Jun Robles Lana, is situated in present-day Philippines and tackles the country’s controversial war on drugs through the experiences of Dharna (Christian Bables), a gay beautician who was mistakenly placed on the current watchlist of drug users. Big Night! was the most-awarded film at the 2021 Metro Manila Film Festival, scoring big by winning the Best Actor, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Musical Score, and the Best Picture and Gender Sensitivity awards.

Cignal Entertainment continues to support and showcase fresh, relevant, and internationally appealing films that represent uniquely Filipino stories. “Being recognized on the international stage by a prestigious institution further ignites our desire to continuously evolve and produce top-caliber movies. We thank the 19th Asian Film Festival for bestowing us such great honor and recognition. We also congratulate Director Brillante Mendoza, Christian Bables, Vince Rillon, and everyone who gave their utmost dedication into bringing Resbak (Payback) and Big Night! to life,” shared Cignal and TV5 CEO and President Robert P. Galang.

For more information on the winners of the 19th Asian Film Festival, visit www.asianfilmfestival.info/.