FAMAS clarifies distinction between Best Actress, Actress of Distinction awards: 'Not competing recognitions'
The Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences said there is a distinct difference between its Best Actress and Actress of Distinction awards, which were given to Maricel Soriano and Maris Racal, respectively, at the 74th FAMAS Annual Awards Night on Oct. 27 at The Manila Hotel.
Since the first year of the FAMAS awards, the Best Actress award has been a main category. This year, FAMAS created a new recognition: the Actress of Distinction award.
According to its statement posted on Facebook on Wednesday, Oct. 28, the Best Actress award considers an actress' "collective body of work, consistency of artistic excellence, versatility, and enduring contribution to Philippine cinema."
"In this regard, Maricel Soriano exemplifies the very essence of this recognition," the statement continued. The award-giving body explained how Soriano's body of work spans "diverse characters, genres, and generations," proof of the actress' "extraordinary command of her craft."
Soriano's acting career spans over five decades.
For FAMAS, the Best Actress award "transcends any single performance," while the Actress of Distinction Award considers only the winner's performance in just one film.
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"The Actress of Distinction Award recognizes a singular performance of exceptional artistic merit, one that demonstrates extraordinary depth, originality, emotional conviction, and an unmistakable impact on the cinematic experience," the statement read.
Racal won the award based on her performance in Sunshine, where she played a talented gymnast who discovers she is pregnant days before a qualifying tournament.
Per FAMAS, the distinction "does not diminish the achievements of either artist." Rather, the organization said, with the two awards, FAMAS is able to celebrate the winners' accomplishments "with greater precision, fairness, and artistic appreciation."
Soriano and Racal tied for Movie Actress of the Year at the recent Philippine Movie Press Club Star Awards; Racal for her work in Sunshine and Soriano for the dying matriarch in Meet, Greet, & Bye.
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