PUTRAJAYA: Director Tunku Mona Riza may be a newbie in the local movie industry, but her much-talked-about film Redha showcased her filmmaking strength when it won Best Film at the Anugerah Skrin 2016 tonight.
"I was caught off guard, because I know that the subject of my film is different than most," she gushed in an interview.
"Redha is my first baby, so there will always be a special connection between us."
Meanwhile, its lead actor Namron took home the Best Film Actor award.
"I didn't expect to win. I thought my fellow nominee Shaheizy Sam would, because he gave a strong performance in Polis Evo. This is my rezeki tonight," the actor said.
"To succeed in acting, you have to work with a good director, a good script, and a good production team. I had found these qualities in Redha."
Redha portrays the struggle that a couple face in order to come to terms with the conditions of their autistic child.
The film also has been chosen to compete for Best Foreign Language Film at the 89th Academy Awards on Feb 26 next year.
Another top winner is the drama series Fatin, which bagged three awards, namely for Best Drama Director (Razaisyam Rashid), Best Drama Series and Best Videography (Idham Mad Din).
Syamsul Yusof bagged the Best Film Director award for Munafik while Maya Karin took home the Best Film Actress award for Nota.
Best Supporting Film Actor and Best Supporting Film Actress went to Hushairi Hussain (Polis Evo) and Fauziah Ahmad Daud (Langit Cinta), respectively.
Tiz Zaqyah won Best Drama Actress for Cermin Kasih while Beto Kusyairi grabbed the Best Drama Actor award for Ramadan Berteduh Syawal.
Now in its 18th season, Anugerah Skrin recognises excellence in local films, television dramas and programmes. It was held at Putrajaya Convention Centre here last night and was broadcast live on TV3.
Themed Menggapai Impian (Achieving Dreams) and held at Putrajaya International Convention Centre, it was hosted by Alif Satar, Ammar, Mira Filzah, Issey, Ajak Shiro, Haiza Kool FM, Sarimah Ibrahim, Azrel Ismail and Puteri Aishah.
