In 2006, John was awarded the Dragons & Tigers Award for Young Cinema at the 25th Vancouver International Film Festival for his debut feature, Todo Todo Teros . He also won the NETPAC and FIPRESCI critics awards at the 2006 Singapore International Film Festival and a Jury Special Mention at the Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival. His second feature film, Years When I was A Child Outside was awarded a Jury Special Mention in 2008 Bangkok International Festival and Grand Jury Prize in 2007 Cinemanila International Film Festival. It was screened in competition in Rotterdam and in Berlin Forum Expanded as a multi-channel work.