On its third year and with the theme "Lokal is International", CineKasimanwa: Western Visayas Film Festival opens with three short films: "TNT" by Roberto Reyes Ang and starring Ilonggo-born actor Perry Escaño; "Kagat", a Karay-a film from Guimbal by Fatima Mae Villarta; and "One Week Earlier", the debut film by Allyn May Canja and Eric Barbosa Jr. The opening films were programmed to celebrate three years of good harvest for Western Visayan cinema under the theme "Ginhawa" (breath). CineKasimanwa Festival Director & Programmer Elvert C. Bañares, known for his counterprogramming approaches since eKsperim[E]nto years, decided to open with three short films citing that these films represents Western Visayas in diverse ways . In 2013, CineKasimanwa opened with the 3D documentaries of iconic Ilonggo filmmaker Nick Deocampo and last year the festival opened with Lav Diaz's four-hour "Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan".
"TNT" tells the story of Tony who left his country for the American dream only to be driven to the edge by a relative who turns his dream into a nightmare. The film stars Perry Escaño who was born in La Paz, Iloilo and is now a professional television, stage and film actor based in Manila, appearing in more than 50 TV shows and has acted in more than 30 films and professional stage plays. He was a cast in Redd Ochoa's "Baliw", Brilliante Mendoza's "Captive" and Paul Soriano's "Thelma". In TNT, he is the lead actor. Escaño appears in GMA-7's Buena Familia and Princess in the Palace and the upcoming TV show "Be My Lady" at ABS-CBN. TNT's director, Roberto Reyes Ang was born in the Philippines but has mostly lived in the US. He received his M.A. in Cinema Studies from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts and his Advanced Certificate in Culture and Media from the same university's joint program with the Anthropology and Cinema Studies Departments. He is currently an Associate Professor at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines' College of Communications and is a Lecturer at the Lyceum of the Philippines. TNT will have its Western Visayan premiere in CineKasimanwa.
"Kagat", a Karay-a film from Guimbal Iloilo, is an apocalyptic zombie short by Fatima Mae Villarta who won Best Director at the Bantayan Film Festival. Kagat will make its Philippine Premiere at CineKasimanwa and is the very first Karay-a film to open in any film festival in the country.
"One Week Earlier" is directed by first-time Ilonggo filmmakers Allyn May Canja and Eric Barbosa Jr. and will make its world premiere at CineKasimanwa. One Week Earlier, shot in full Hiligaynon, introduces audiences to two twenty-somethings who struggle with loss and are both finding a way out. Beautifully-photographed in Iloilo City, One Week Earlier will surely be an engaging watch for the Ilonggos. Allyn Canja considers herself a storyteller and liked movies with real conversations and emotions. Eric Barbosa Jr. is a photographer who loves grand sci-fi films.
All filmmakers including actor Perry Escaño will be in attendance during the opening night of the CineKasimanwa: Western Visayas Film Festival on Dec. 8, 2015, 7pm at SM Cinema 1. Tickets are available starting Nov. 25, 2015 at the SM Cinema Lobby. For advanced group/class bookings, please call Daniella at 0999-8821667, Paolo at 0927-7826400 or Ruth at 09177074559.
visit the festival's official facebook page at: [www.facebook.com/cinekasimanwa]
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