The spotlight is back on Philippine cinema as the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd) officially announced the nominees for the 8th EDDYS (Entertainment Editors’ Choice) on Tuesday, 1 July. The highly anticipated reveal took place at the vibrant Rampa Drag Club in Quezon City, setting the stage for what promises to be a night of prestige, performance and purpose.

Set to culminate in a star-studded ceremony on 20 July at the Marriott Grand Ballroom, Newport World Resorts, the 8th EDDYS will honor outstanding achievements across 14 acting and technical categories, celebrating excellence in both mainstream and independently produced Filipino films released in 2024.

Spotlight on the best

Leading the pack in the Best Actor category are a mix of established icons and rising stars:

•Sid Lucero (Outside)

•Dennis Trillo (Green Bones)

•Joel Torre (Lolo and the Kid)

•Arjo Atayde (Topakk)

•Vice Ganda (And the Bread Winner Is)

•Kokoy de Santos (Your Mother Son)

•Alden Richards (Hello, Love, Again)

In the Best Actress race, powerhouse performances dominate:

•Judy Ann Santos (Espantaho)

•Mylene Dizon (The Hearing)

•Shamaine Buencamino (Pushcart Tales)

•Marian Rivera (Balota)

•Jane Oineza (Love Child)

•Sue Prado (Your Mother’s Son)

Supporting categories also shine with an impressive roster of acting depth and diversity:

•Best Supporting Actor: Ruru Madrid, Aga Muhlach, Joross Gamboa, Ronnie Lazaro, Miggy Jimenez, Patrick Garcia

•Best Supporting Actress: Lorna Tolentino, Chanda Romero (both for Espantaho), Nadine Lustre, Kakki Teodoro, Cristine Reyes, Elora Espanyo

Creative and technical mastery recognized

Celebrating the craft behind the camera, this year’s EDDYS also puts the spotlight on creative excellence:

•Best Director nods go to the minds behind Green Bones, Under a Piaya Moon, Hello, Love, Again, Outside, Isang Himala and Love Child

•Best Picture contenders reflect a diverse and dynamic year in Philippine cinema:

Green Bones, Under a Piaya Moon, Hello, Love, Again, Outside, Isang Himala, Love Child

Other technical categories include:

•Best Screenplay: Green Bones, Under a Piaya Moon, Outside, Love Child, among others

•Best Editing: Pushcart Tales, My Future You, Love Child, Green Bones

•Best Cinematography: Espantaho, Under a Piaya Moon, Kono Basho

•Best Production Design: The Kingdom, Hello, Love, Again, Outside

•Best Sound: Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital, Topakk, Isang Himala

•Best Musical Score: And the Bread Winner Is, Un/Happy for You

•Best Theme Song: Road to Happy, Uninvited, My Future You

•Best Visual Effects: Outside, Espantaho, Topakk

Special honors

and industry tributes

SPEEd also announced this year’s special awardees ahead of the ceremony:

•Producer of the Year: GMA Pictures

•Rising Producer of the Year: Nathan Studios

•Joe Quirino Award: Ogie Diaz

•Manny Pichel Award: Crispina Belen

•Isah V. Red Award: RS Francisco

A heartfelt tribute to six Philippine movie icons will also be held, honoring the legacies of Laurice Guillen, Odette Khan, Perla Bautista, Pen Medina, and the legendary pair Rosemarie Gil and Eddie Mesa.

Now on its second year, the EDDYS Box Office Heroes segment returns to celebrate stars and storytellers who helped fuel the resurgence of local moviegoing in 2024.

Save the dates

The 8th EDDYS Awards Night is presented by Play Time, co-presented by Newport World Resorts and ABS-CBN, and produced by Brightlight Entertainment under Pat-P Daza, with Eric Quizon returning as director.

Catch the ceremony’s delayed telecast on Kapamilya Channel and Jeepney TV, and its global premiere via iWantTFC on Sunday, 27 July.

Under the leadership of SPEEd president Salve Asis (Pilipino Star Ngayon, Pang Masa), the EDDYS continues its mission to champion Filipino excellence in storytelling — a celebration of not only what is seen on screen, but the spirit behind every frame.

Jefferson Fernando