‘Beneath the Badge’ Earns Special Mention Award At Dhaka International Film Festival

“Beneath the Badge (Sa Likod ng Tsapa)”, a Philippine documentary by Mindanao-based journalist and filmmaker Editha Caduaya, has received a Special Mention Award at the 24th Dhaka International Film Festival in Bangladesh, recognizing the film’s strong emotional impact and its ability to resonate with audiences across cultures.

The documentary traces the life of a police officer – Col. Hansel M. Marantan – the complex realities of police service, its challenges, moral dilemmas, personal sacrifices, and moments of quiet triumph, beyond the uniform and public perception.

The Special Mention Award, granted based on audience response, underscores the film’s universal appeal and its power to connect with viewers regardless of geography or background. The recognition highlights the growing presence of Philippine documentaries on the global stage, particularly those emerging from regions outside the country’s traditional production centers.

“This recognition came directly from the audience, and that makes it profoundly meaningful,” Caduaya said. “It tells us that stories from Mindanao – when told honestly and without embellishment – can move people anywhere in the world.”

Beneath the Badge began as a journalistic inquiry and evolved into a full-length documentary, blending reportage with cinematic storytelling to reveal the unseen human cost of public service and the internal struggles faced by those sworn to protect.

“For more than three decades, journalism has been my foundation,” Caduaya said. “I never imagined that a story rooted in reporting would travel this far and be honored on an international stage. This award affirms the power of truth-based storytelling.”

The Dhaka International Film Festival is one of South Asia’s longest-running and most respected film festivals, making the recognition a significant milestone for Mindanao cinema, a sector often underrepresented despite its depth of compelling narratives.

“This is a win for filmmakers from the regions,” Caduaya, who accepted the award during a ceremony in Dhaka on Jan. 18, emphasized. “It proves that we do not need to come from major production centers to tell stories that matter. Mindanao has voices worth listening to, and this recognition honors that truth.”

She added that the award represents a broader achievement for Philippine cinema.

“This is not just about one film,” she said. “It is about Filipino filmmakers who continue to create despite limitations—who choose courage over convenience and believe that our stories deserve a place on the global stage.”

With its Special Mention Award at Dhaka, Beneath the Badge continues to gain momentum toward wider international and local screenings, including a planned national theatrical release – carrying with it the pride of Philippine storytelling and the growing recognition of Mindanao-based filmmakers worldwide.

“If this film encourages even one young storyteller from the regions to believe in their voice,” Caduaya said, “then this recognition has already achieved something far greater than an award.”