The 2014 New Filipino Cinema Film Festival in San Francisco

Now on its third year, the New Filipino Cinema film festival in San Francisco, California is set to launch this month, and yet again, showcase the Philippines' finest films, specifically, of the new age. The Festival will be from June 11, 2014 to June 15, 2014, at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, California, USA. [hit the jump to continue]

The Philippines on the spotlight at The Terracotta Far East Film Festival in London

The Terracotta Far East Film Festival (TFEFF) is the biggest annual event for Asian cinema in London, and its spotlight will be on the Philippines, hailing it as ‘the next big thing’. Seven Filipino feature films will be featured in the upcoming event which will be held at The Prince Charles Cinema and The Institute of Contemporary Art, London between May 23 to June 1, 2014. The films to be screened are Siege Ledesma’s “Shift,” Veronica Velasco’s “Tuhog,” Raya Martin’s “How to Disappear Completely,” Andrew Leavold’s “The Search for Weng-Weng,” Nathan Adolfson’s “A Thief, A Kid & A Killer,” Erik Matti’s “On the Job,” and also his “Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles” which is included in the horror features.
[hit the jump to check out the screening skeds]

The CineKas1manwa: The Panay Islands Film Festival Screening Schedule

Some of you may have already known about the upcoming CineKasimanwa: The Panay Islands Film Festival and Ilonggo Filmmakers Conference which will be kicking off with the Film Fest from December 10 to 14, 2013. Below is the schedule of screenings which can guide you through the festival. The venues will be at The FDCP Iloilo Cinematheque (which is located at Solis Street, Iloilo City), the SM City Iloilo Cinemas, and the UPV Cinematheque (located inside the UPV Complex). The Festival is meant to showcase movies and short films that are all made by Ilonggos Filmmakers, not only will it be focusing on Iloilo filmmakers, but any films coming from the rest of the Panay Islands as well. This will be a festival that will celebrate the Ilonggo Cinema Art Scene, and will be a venue for the mainstream audiences to be exposed to Ilonggo films. In addition, all festival proceeds will go to the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda through the Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action Center’s Relief Operations and Rehabilitation Projects in Western Visayas.

December 10, 2013 TUESDAY

10:00 AM
Short Films by Nick Deocampo [director in attendance] with Q&A - UPV CINEMATHEQUE (University of the Philippines in the Visayas, Iloilo Campus)
1:30 PM
GUGMA SA PANAHON SANG BAKUNAWA by Peter Solis Nery - FDCP CINEMATHEQUE (B&C Square Bldg., Iznart St., Iloilo City)
3:30 PM
Ang Tanan May Guin-Halinan, First-time Student Shorts by WVSU Students - FDCP CINEMATHEQUE (B&C Square Bldg., Iznart St., Iloilo City)
3:30 PM
BEADWORKS by Ronny Poblacion [director in attendance] - SM City Cinema 1 (SM City Iloilo)
7:00 PM
Opening Film: CROSS CURRENTS: JOURNEY TO ASIAN ENVIRONMENTS by Nick Deocampo [director in attendance] - SM City Cinema 1 (SM City Iloilo)

December 11, 2013 WEDNESDAY

10:00 AM
BUKLOG OF THE SUBANEN (Docu Work in Progress) + Short Films by Elvert Dela Cruz Bañares [director in attendance] with Lecture - UPV CINEMATHEQUE (University of the Philippines in the Visayas, Gen. Luna St., Iloilo City)
1:30 PM
DIIN KAMO PADULONG? Short Film Program for Children - FDCP CINEMATHEQUE (B&C Square Bldg., Iznart St., Iloilo City)
3:30 PM
Short Films from Guimbal, Iloilo - FDCP CINEMATHEQUE (B&C Square Bldg., Iznart St., Iloilo City)
7:00 PM
LOCAL GIRLS by Ned Trespeces [director in attendance] - SM City Cinema 1 (SM City Iloilo)

December 12, 2013 THURSDAY

10:00 AM
Short Films from Guimbal, Iloilo [collective filmmakers in focus] - UPV CINEMATHEQUE (University of the Philippines in the Visayas, Gen. Luna St., Iloilo City)
1:30 PM
Balikan Ta Ang Mga Damgo, The CINE ILONGGO Films, Short Film Program - FDCP CINEMATHEQUE (B&C Square Bldg., Iznart St., Iloilo City)
3:30 PM
DAGYANG by Joenar Pueblo [director in attendance] - FDCP CINEMATHEQUE (B&C Square Bldg., Iznart St., Iloilo City)

December 13, 2013 FRIDAY

10:00 AM
MGA KWENTONG HINDI PARISUKAT + Short Film Program - UPV CINEMATHEQUE (University of the Philippines in the Visayas, Gen. Luna St., Iloilo City)
1:30 PM
PUREZA by Jay Abello [director in attendance] - SM City Cinema 1 (SM City Iloilo)
3:30 PM
BRUTUS: ANG PAGLALAKBAY by Tara Illenberger - SM City Cinema 1 (SM City Iloilo)
3:30 PM
Mga Matayog Nga Pantasya, Mga Matuod Nga Istorya, Short Film Program, Experimental & Documentary Shorts - FDCP CINEMATHEQUE (B&C Square Bldg., Iznart St., Iloilo City)
6:00 PM
MOO-MOO-AN SA BIYERNES ATRESE! MAGHALONG! HORROR SHORT FILM PROGRAM - FDCP CINEMATHEQUE (B&C Square Bldg., Iznart St., Iloilo City)

December 14, 2013 SATURDAY

10:00 AM
BAYI SA APARADOR and TAMAWO, Short Films by Peque Gallaga & Lore Reyes [directors in attendance] with Q&A - UPV CINEMATHEQUE (University of the Philippines in the Visayas, Gen. Luna St., Iloilo City)
1:30 PM
MGA KWENTONG HINDI PARISUKAT + Short Film Program - FDCP CINEMATHEQUE (B&C Square Bldg., Iznart St., Iloilo City)
3:30 PM
ANG MGA ASWANG by JR Macahilas [director in attendance] - FDCP CINEMATHEQUE (B&C Square Bldg., Iznart St., Iloilo City)
3:30 PM
SALVI: ANG PAGPADAYON by TM Malones [director in attendance] - SM City Cinema 1 (SM City Iloilo)
7:00 PM
Closing Film: SONATA by Peque Gallaga & Lore Reyes [directors in attendance] - SM City Cinema 1 (SM City Iloilo)

Animahenasyon 2013 held in Iloilo City this Week

This week, Iloilo City is the venue for this year's Animahenasyon Philippine Animation Festival. Animahenasyon 2013. It will be held this November 19, 2013 up till November 22, 2013, at the West Visayas State University, Iloilo City. Animahenasyon 2013 and will be comprised of exhibits, animated films in competition and exhibition, master class/workshop/conference, poster-making competition and the awards night. The event will also give honor to Outstanding Emerging Artists and a Lifetime Achievement Award. [CLICK TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE]

Pinoy Indie Film BABAGWA to compete in Canada, Hawaii, and Poland

The indie film BABAGWA was an entry in this year’s Cinemalaya New Breed section. It is all set to go international, vying for film festivals in Canada, Hawaii, and Poland. On September 28 to October 4, 2013, it will be at the Dragons & Tigers Award for Young Cinema at the Vancouver International Film Festival. It will also be competing in the 29th Warsaw International Film Festival in October 11 to October 20, 2013. And finally, it will also be competing for the Halekulani Golden Orchid for Best Narrative award at the Hawaii fest on October 13 to October 23, 2013. BABAGWA is written and directed by Jason Paul Laxamana, and stars Alex Vincent Medina, Joey Paras, Alma Concepcion, Kiko Matos, Nico Antonio, Chanel Latorre, Marx Topacio, Raqs Regalado, Garry Lim, Sunshine Teodoro. BABAGWA is about an Internet scammer who falls in love with a wealthy old maid while trying to swindle her using a fake Facebook profile.

PUSONG WAZAK wins at the Puchon Filmfest

The Inquirer reports that Filipino filmmaker Khavn de la Cruz’s “Pusong Wazak” won the It Project Award at the Network of Asian Fantastic Film, the project market of the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival held in South Korea recently. De la Cruz relayed the news to the Inquirer. The English title of “Pusong Wazak” is “Ruined Heart! Another Love Story Between a Criminal and a Whore.” The Puchon prize comes with 10 million won (US$8,956).
For more info about the movie, check out their facebook page: www.facebook.com/pusongwazak

source: The Philippine Daily Inquirer

The Real Auntie Terry's Reunion with ILO ILO director Anthony Chen

The Singaporean movie entitled "ILO ILO" was based upon the true-to-life experiences of director Anthony Chen and his family's relationship with a Pinay OFW Nanny from the City of Iloilo, Philippines.

Weeks ago, we reported that the real Auntie Terry, the Pinay OFW who inspired the story of ILO ILO had a reunion with the director of the movie Anthony Chen. Finding Auntie Terry was a story which brought about a flood of media attention and excitement, especially from Iloilo.

The Facebook page of the movie has provided the (translations of the) report of the Singaporean newspaper which had covered the event, which.was a very low-key event with no other media, as requested by Anthony and his family. [hit the jump to read the report]

Erik Matti's ON THE JOB is Jury's Choice in Korean Filmfest

Filipino Cinema has once again scored a success, this time at the 17th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival in South Korea last week, with Erik Matti’s indie movie “On the Job” which won the Jury’s Choice; while lead star Joel Torre, won Best Actor. “On the Job” was also an entry in the Directors’ Fortnight of this year’s Cannes fest in France last May.

ON THE JOB is scheduled to have a commercial release in local cinemas on Aug. 28. No information as of yet if the movie is scheduled to reach Iloilo theaters.

Cinemalaya 2013 will be July 26 to August 4, 2013

On its ninth year, the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival will once again grace the silver screens, at least in Metro Manila anyway. Cinemalaya 2013 will be held this July 26 to August 4, 2013 at the Greenbelt, Trinoma, and the Alabang Town Center Cinemas.

A total of 122 entries were submitted for the New Breed category but they were trimmed down to ten finalists. For the Directors Showcase category, 18 scripts were submitted but only five entries will compete in this year’s film festival. The selected finalists in the New Breed and Directors Showcase categories each received a seed grant of P500,000 to finance the production of their films.

[check out the list of entries and other details over at cinemalaya.org]

The Finding of the Real-life Filipina Maid from which the film ILO ILO was Based Upon

The Singaporean movie entitled "ILO ILO" which has won the coveted Camera d’Or award for best feature film at this year's Cannes Film Festival, is based upon the true-to-life experiences of director Anthony Chen and his family's relationship with a Pinay OFW Nanny from the City of Iloilo, Philippines. Now, the film's facebook page has revealed that they have found the actual Pinay on whom the movie is based upon. Read the facebook statement after the jump.

Anthony Chen's ILO ILO victorious at Cannes

ILO ILO won in Cannes! What is meant here is actually the feature film Ilo Ilo by Singaporean director Anthony Chen, which has won the coveted Camera d’Or award for best feature film at this year's Cannes Film Festival. This victory has brought such pride to the name of Iloilo, to Chen himself, and to Singapore, the fact that this is the first time a Singapore feature film has won at Cannes. [read the rest of the article after the jump]

The 7th Animahenasyon Animation Festival to be held in Iloilo City

Iloilo City will be the venue for this year's Animahenasyon Philippine Animation Festival. Animahenasyon 2013 will be held on November 19, 2013 up till November 22, 2013, at the West Visayas State University, Iloilo City. Animahenasyon 2013 will be comprised of exhibits, animated films in competition and exhibition, master class/workshop/conference, poster-making competition and the awards night. The event will also give honor to Outstanding Emerging Artists and a Lifetime Achievement Award. [CLICK TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE]

CineFilipino 2013

CineFilipino is launched

CineFilipino is a new film festival that will show the works of its pioneer batch starting this 2013. Its mission is “to seek out, support and develop new cinematic works of artistic merit by up-and-­coming  and established filmmakers that help define the human experience through a  Filipino perspective.”

Spearheaded by the PLDT-Smart Foundation, MediaQuest, Studio 5 (the movie arm of TV5) and Unitel Entertainment, CineFilipino gives a production grant of P1.5 million each to the eight chosen filmmakers.

CineFilipino will take place from June 26 to July 3, 2013 at the Ali Mall, Gateway, Eastwood and Newport cinemas.

“We are at the threshold of producing eight new films that I believe have the potential to be future Filipino classics,” declared CineFilipino filmfest director Vincent Nebrida during the official press launch held at the Passion restaurant at the Maxim’s Hotel, Resorts World Manila.
[CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE]

The 2013 Iloilo International Film Festival [updated SM Cinema Skeds]

The 2013 SINENG PAMBANSA is here!

It's that time once again for the ILOILO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. That time again when we Ilonggos, not only celebrate top quality cinema here and from abroad, but also promote films from our own Iloilo filmmakers. This is the fruitful result of the harmonious partnership between the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and the Iloilo city Government. The festival will be held on January 24 to 25, and will be held at SM Cinema in SM City Iloilo and the Iloilo Cinematheque.

Up from when it began two years ago, till now, the Festival has now seemed to be part of the Dinagyang Festival Week. This filmfest will showcase an impressive line-up of films consisting of Best Picture winners from the twin editions for the first Sineng Pambansa National Film Festival. This films are  Anac ti Pating (Martin Masadao), Qwerty (Eduardo Lejano Jr.), Ang mga Kidnaper ni Ronnie Lazaro (Sigfreid Barros-Sanchez), Huling Biyahe (Racquel Zaballero-Sanchez and Sigfreid Barros-Sanchez), Malan  (Agustin Pagusara and Benji Garcia), and Qiyamah (Gutierrez Mangansakan II).
Side-by-side the festival screenings at SM Cinema are showcase  of International titles from Spain, Israel and Venezuela, shown at the Cinematheque Iloilo.

A run-up to the festival is a Basic Cinematography Workshop to be conducted by renowned cinematographer Nap Jamir II from Jan 17 to 20 as well as screenings of Ilonggo works from the first Sineng Pambansa National Film Festival from Jan 20 to 31 at the Cinematheque Iloilo. Such Ilonggo works are Gugma sa Panahon sang Bakunawa (Peter Solis Nery), Ang mga Aswang (John Raymund Macahilas), Beadworks  (Ronny N. Poblacion) and Asin (Aimee Apostol Escasa).

Also marking the event is a short film competition with the theme “Ang Ilonggo”  open to ilonggo directors from both  the City and the  Province of Iloilo. Non-Ilonggo participants must have at least one (1) year of residence. Cash prizes await the winners.

It was only last night when I saw the SM Cinema skeds. Here are the skeds for today:

JANUARY 25, 2013 [SM Cinema 4]
11:40AM - Qiyamah
1:40 PM - Kidnapper ni Ronnie Lazaro
4:20 PM - Huling Biyahe
6:50 PM - Anac Ti Pating
9:00 PM - Malan


[CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO CHECK OUT THE OTHER SKEDS]