'Tomorrow' wins Tribeca audience prize

NEW YORK, May 2 (UPI) -- The documentary "Give Up Tomorrow" won the Heineken Audience Award at New York's Tribeca Film Festival during the weekend.

The film's director Michael Collins received a cash prize of $25,000 for the honor.

"Give Up Tomorrow" also received a Special Jury Mention in the World Documentary Competition at the festival last week. The film is about culinary student Paco Larranaga, who, at 19 years old in 1997, was arrested for the kidnap, rape and murder of two sisters on the provincial island of Cebu in the Philippines, "despite demonstrable evidence of his innocence, including 40 eyewitnesses and photographs placing him hundreds of miles from the scene," a synopsis said.

"From the first standing ovation of 'Give Up Tomorrow' at its premiere at the festival it was clear that audiences were passionate about the portrayal of Paco Larranaga's unjust incarceration. We hope that the film will raise awareness of Paco's plight and lead to his freedom," Nancy Schafer, the festival's executive director, said in a statement Saturday. "This film is remarkably well crafted and I hope this award brings it the additional visibility it deserves."

"Tribeca was there from the beginning. They really gave us the introduction to the film world," added Collins. "This award gives us so much hope. Now I know that the film is going to be seen by a broader audience and I'm incredibly grateful."