A documentary on the murder of a Filipino transgender woman won the Best Documentary Audience Award at the Inside Out LGBT Film Festival held in Toronto, Canada recently.

Produced and directed by PJ Raval, “Call Her Ganda” revisits the case of Jennifer Laude, a 26-year-old Filipino transwoman who was murdered by a marine officer in Olongapo four years ago. The documentary follows the lives of three women invested in the case.

In the film’s official website (http://www.callherganda.com), Direk PJ describes “Call Her Ganda” as a “modern David and Goliath story” as it “forges a visually daring and profoundly humanistic geopolitical investigative expose.”

In a message sent to Bulletin Entertainment, PJ said, “It was an honor to win the Best Documentary Audience Award at Inside Out. Since the award was chosen by the audience, I am touched knowing Jennifer’s story is reaching audiences worldwide.”

The director said he hopes to bring the film to the Philippines soon.

According to its website, Inside Out LGBT Film Festival that was established in 1991 “exists to challenge attitudes and change lives through the promotion and exhibition of films and videos made by and about lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people of all ages, races and abilities.”

The film made its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival early this year. It was also named as the Outstanding North American Documentary Feature at the Los Angeles Pacific Film Festival last May.

American digital and print magazine The Hollywood reporter said the film proves to be “simultaneously heartbreaking and inspirationa.”

“…it’s the tragic story of Jennifer’s slaying and the search for justice by the three female figures at its center that gives ‘Call Her Ganda’ its emotional power. Handling its complex issues and complicated plot developments with forceful clarity, the film proves simultaneously heartbreaking and inspirational.”