The exponent of realism in Philippine movies, Brillante Mendoza is the first and so far the only Filipino director to win
Best Director Award in an international film festival. During the 62nd Cannes Film Festival, he won the prestigous award for his film 'Kinatay'.
Also, at the 6th Dubai International Film Festival, his movie Lola won the Best Film Award.
Mendoza started his career in showbiz as a production designer for various films such as Takaw Tulso (1986), Private Show (1986), Mga Lihim ng Kalapati (1987), Mula Paa hanggang Ulo (1989), and Valentina (1989). He was also engaged as the executive producer of
the film Soquijor:Mystic Island (2007) and Twilight Dancers (2006). In 2006, He produced his own film Kaleldo.