MANILA—“Oda sa Wala,” the acclaimed film starring Pokwang as an old maid who owns a funeral shop, is competing in a film festival in Czech Republic in June, co-producer Black Sheep has announced.

Directed by Dwein Baltazar, “Oda sa Wala” will be part of the main competition of the 54th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, which will run from June 28 to July 6.

Liza Diño-Seguerra, chairperson of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, hailed “Oda Sa Wala’s” participation in the film festival as an achievement for women representation.

She noted the Baltazar will be the first female director from the Philippines to compete in a “top, A-list European film festival.”

“I am proud for the Philippines to be a part of this meaningful conversation on gender inclusivity,” Diño-Seguerra wrote in a Facebook post on Thursday.

Aside from the Karlovy Vary film fest, “Oda sa Wala” will also be part of the Camera Lucida section of the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal.

“Oda sa Wala” premiered to raves at the 2018 QCinema International Film Festival, winning top awards including best film, best screenplay, best cinematography, best director, and best actress.