He has been a film director since 2005. In 2009, Brillante was hailed as ‘Best Director” for his movie Kinatay at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival. In the same year, his film Lola has also won as Best Film at the 6th Dubai International Film Festival. His other movies such as Captive, Thy Womb, and Taklub were displayed and competed in various prestigious international award-giving bodies. Just recently, Brillante directed the first State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Duterte.