First time filmmakers talk about their Puregold CinePanalo experience

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There is little denying just how groundbreaking the recently concluded Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival was. The festival, held last March 15-19 at Gateway Cineplex 18, is a celebration of firsts. Not only does it mark the supermarket chain’s first foray into bringing original films to the silver screen, but it marks the debut pieces of six first-time filmmakers from all across the country.

During the Puregold CinePanalo Awards Night, the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund) generously awarded a number of deserving filmmakers scholarships to continue pursuing their artistic goals.

The six debuting filmmakers–Rafaela Abucejo of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Dizelle C. Masilungan of the University of Sto. Tomas, Joshua Andrey A. Doce of Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology, Joanah Pearl Demonteverde of the University of the Philippines Visayas, Daniel Gil of Ateneo de Davao, and Jenievive Adame–bravely answered the call to let Puregold help bring their stories to life, and competed against each other as well as 19 other selections in the student short film category. Yet, for these new directors, the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to release their stories into the world is a win in itself.

In addition to being debut films, the films were remarkable for bagging a number of prizes at the CinePanalo Film Festival. Rafaela Abucejo's film entitled "Saan Ako Pinaglihi?" won the Panalo sa mga Manonood Award (Audience Choice); Dizelle Masilungan, one of the recipients of the Mowelfund production scholarship, won Panalong Direktor, Panalo sa Cinematography, 3rd place for MTRCB's Responsableng Paglikha Award, and also saw one of his actors winning the Panalong Pangalawang Aktor Award. Likewise, Joshua Doce and Daniel Gil both received production scholarships from Mowelfund; while Jenievive Adame, who was also a recipient of the Mowelfund production scholarship, bagged a number of awards, including Panalong Ensemble, Panalo sa Musical Scoring, Always Panalo Film (brand choice), and 1st place for MTRCB's Responsableng Paglikha Award.

 Rafaela Abucejo shows off their Panalo sa mga Manonood Award. Abucejo directed “Saan Ako Pinaglihi?”, a coming-of-age story about the child of two lesbian parents.

Jenievive Adame’s story “Smokey Journey” bagged plenty of trophies, including the Always Panalo Film Award.

For two of the directors from the province–Joshua Doce from Bicol (“I am Mutya and I Thank You!”) and Joanah Demonteverde from Iloilo (“Kang Pagpuli Ko”)--getting to represent their province on a big stage was a massive motivating factor in completing their films. Doce, who speaks Bikolano, and Demonteverde, who speaks Hiligaynon and Kinaray-a, both believe in the power of their movies to represent the languages and cultures they love, especially amid the swath of mostly Tagalog and English-centric entries.

“As a kid who grew up in a town whose language is a hybrid of Kinaray-a and Hiligaynon, language has been a great element to me in representing my province through filmmaking, especially in Puregold’s CinePanalo Film Festival,” says Demonteverde, who also warns viewers for the possible waterworks that may ensue from her film.

“In our country, Filipino/Tagalog ang most dominant medium na ginagamit sa films and malimit tayong makakita o makarinig ng regional dialects/language sa mga pelikula,” says Doce, “I am so proud of our language and as a filmmaker, through our dialect that I used in my films, you get to see how ‘oragon’ (great) the Bicolanos are.”

Dizelle Masilungan was one of the ceremony’s breakout stars, winning Best Director for his very first film production, “Kung Nag-aatubili.”

Meanwhile, two of the six new filmmakers–Dizelle Masilungan (“Kung Nag-aatubili”) and Rafaela Abucejo (“Saan Ako Pinaglihi?”)--released LGBT-themed short films, drawing from their personal experiences with the daily struggle that queer Filipinos face, and the joy that comes from queer love.

For Masilungan, it was crucial for him to use his very first filmmaking experience to create the BL piece of his dreams, exclaiming that he has wanted to create a BL piece since “time immemorial,” as it was queer films and literature that gave him the inspiration to carry on.

Meanwhile for Abucejo, it was important to display the flipside of the queer experience, by also displaying the real pain that queer people go through, and the strength that can come out of those experiences.

“They were not good experiences-–they were a struggle,” said Abucejo. “But at least I was able to share my narrative through the film and hopefully inspire those who are currently going through the same things.”

In their speech, Abucejo stated that they hope their win in the Audience Choice Award shows filmmakers and film producers everywhere that audiences do choose queer stories, saying, “Yung kwento po ng ‘Saan ako Pinaglihi?’ is proof na meron pong clamor for queer stories, queer narratives at masasabi ko pong galing po talaga siya sa puso namin. Patuloy nating suportahan ang kwento ng mga bakla, tomboy, and everyone in between the spectrum.”

Abucejo and Masilungan both won big for their queer films, with Masilungan bagging Best Director. On his win, the filmmaker said, “Masaya, na di ko akalain, na wala po akong masabi. Sabi ko nga yung mapalabas lang pelikula namin sa Gateway Cineplex 18 sobrang saya na ako, na makita yung mga taong pumupunta sa sinehan para panoorin yung kwentong gusto namin ikwento at pinaghirapan namin. Pero yung makatanggap ng award bilang Best Director, para sakin isang malaking karangalan, really humbled and honored. Pero I really share this award with all the cast and crew ng Familea Films, kay Sir Nico at Lucca Creatives, and January Skies.”

Finally, the last two new directors–Daniel Gil (“Distansya”) and Jenievive Adame (“Smokey Journey”)--sought to use the platform to create more family-oriented and wholesome films that everyone can come to enjoy and reflect on the love that only family can offer.

In the words of Adame, viewers can expect her film to wrap the seemingly simple theme of family with layers of both hidden meaning and earnest sincerity.

“Since the festival itself is only for family-oriented, inspiring, and wholesome film concepts,” says Adame, “what you can expect from my film is the deep bond, love, and unity within a typical Filipino family na hindi namin pinakita literal pero mararamdaman mo.”

As for Gil, whose story was inspired by his father teaching him how to drive, he wanted to use his film as a vehicle for recognizing all the solo parent fathers who show up to raise their kids right, even when said fathers aren’t always understood from the start.

“I hope people will find this film nostalgic,” said Gil. “Especially to the kids who grew up with parents who had a hard time searching for their parenting skills and finding it as they get to know their children more as their family grows older.”

Ronjay-C Mendiola and his team won big at the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival, racking up awards including Pinakapanalong Maikling Pelikula, for his film “Last Shift,” about two queer lovers forced to choose between their relationship and their diverging paths in life.

In addition to the debut filmmakers, the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival’s short film category also saw two big winners in neophyte directors Ronjay-C Mendiola and Kent Michael Cadungog. Mendiola nabbed the Pinakapanalong Maikling Pelikula Award (Best Short Film) for his film “Last Shift,” a story about two working-class queer lovers at a crossroads in their relationship, as one seeks to find better pastures. Cadungog, on the other hand, won the Special Jury Prize Award for “Text Find DAD and Send to 2366,” a tale about an uncharismatic teenage girl who must convince a voice to cast her in a reality TV show, in order to find her father.

On his historic win, Mendiola says the feeling still hasn’t sunk in.

“Sabi nga namin sa prod, pumasok kami ng awards night nang walang expectations pero sobra-sobra pa ang ibinigay sa amin,” said Mendiola. “Ang pinaka importante talaga sa amin nung mag-umpisa ang film festival ay hindi yung awards kundi ang mabitbit namin ang panawagan ng mga workers at maexpose ang kanilang kalagayan."

 Kent Cadungog won the Special Jury Prize for “Text Find Dad and Send to 2366,” a story about a teenager using reality TV to find her lost father.

Meanwhile, Cadungog is grateful to Puregold for allowing him to fully express his art which, according to him, has often been misunderstood.

"I got called “baliw” so many times for creating the kind of cinema I make, so I’m very grateful to Puregold for giving this niche comedy film a platform. Maraming salamat din sa jury sa pagkilala,” said Cadungog, who also takes pride in being one of the short films set in the province, using a regional language. “Yung pagrecognize sa isang munting Bisaya film galing sa Negros Oriental ay isa ring malaking panalo, in and of itself — true to the festival’s vision."

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French Film Festival, one of the highlighted events of the 75th anniversary of France-Philippines diplomatic relations

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Highly-acclaimed French actress Isabelle Huppert and popular French actor Lucas Bravo were in town for the festival

As part of the celebration of the 75th anniversary of France-Philippines diplomatic relations, the French Film Festival brings to Manila a fresh selection of French and Filipino films at Greenbelt 3 Cinemas from October 22 to 30, 2022. The curated movies are composed of current releases and new ones that came out in the last two years.

Award-winning and accomplished French actress Isabelle Huppert and French actor Lucas Bravo who became popular for his portrayal of Gabriel in the hit Netflix series Emily in Paris engaged moviegoers, fans, and the media in a brief interview about their movies that were screened for the festival. 

Huppert and Bravo are part of the cast of Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris by Anthony Fabian. About Joan by Laurent Larivière and Promises by Thomas Kruithof are the two most recent films starring Huppert. She is also the main actress in Brillante Mendoza’s Captive.

Filipinos and the French share a passion for moving images. Soon after the Lumière brothers invented cinema, Pathé projectors found their way to the Philippine islands and soon enough Filipinos were making films already. The French Film Festival has been bringing some of the most critically acclaimed and crowd pleasers to the discerning Filipino audience in search of movies that look into social issues, family values, and beautiful scenery that are close to the heart.

Opening the festival, Eiffel by Director Martin Bourboulon recounts the building of the Eiffel Tower inspired by a love story. The selection includes Lost Illusions by Xavier Gianolli, Farewell Mr. Haffmann by Fred Cavayé, set in Paris during World War 2, Notre Dame on Fire by Jean-Jacques Anneaud about the incident that damaged another historical monument in the center of Paris, Him by Guillaume Canet on the life of a music composer, Paris Memories, remembering Paris under terrorist attacks, a sequel to the popular French agent OSS 117: From Africa with Love. Rise by Cédric Klapisch tells an inspiring story about a ballet dancer.

The French Film Festival is also the event that brings together France and the Philippines with the screening of Filipino films that have gained recognition by the French audience. Like On the Job by Erik Matti which was shown in the Director’s Fortnight in Cannes. OTJ Missing 8 will be screening also in the festival.

In the height of the pandemic, Director Sigrid Bernardo flew to Paris with actors and crew to shoot Walang Kaparis, produced by Piolo Pascual. While the film is still in post-production, it paves the way toward co-productions between France and the Philippines.

The Film Development Council of the Philippines under the Chairmanship of Tirso Cruz III will strive to work toward the signing of a co-production agreement between France and the Philippines that will open more opportunities for collaboration between filmmakers and more French and Filipino movies in the near future.

Catch all the films here https://bit.ly/FrenchFilmFest25

The 25th French Film Festival in the Philippines is organized by the Embassy of France to the Philippines, Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines, Philippine Embassy in France, Alliance française de Manille, INSTITUT FRANÇAIS, Film Development Council of the Philippines, Ayala Malls Cinemas, Greenbelt, QCinema, San Miguel Corporation, Olympia Violago Power, Raffles Makati, VPF Creative Marketing Communications, Reality MM Studios, PLDT, Smart Communications, Inc., SSI Group, Inc., Lacoste, Filmloft OPC, and RSVP FILM Studios, Phils.

Cahilig’s award-winning short films now streaming internationally on CinemaWorld

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The multi-talented Chris Cahilig wears many hats—producer, director, public relations entrepreneur, talent manager, published poet, and political adviser.

As president of Insight 360, Cahilig runs one of the most influential public relations, marketing, and social media consultancy firms in the Philippines. And through his agency’s subsidiary, Insight 360 Films, Cahilig has crafted full-length movies and short films, made riveting for their plots, characters, and purpose.

Chris Cahilig

The road to Cahilig’s personal nirvana, however, is paved by a string of award-worthy short films, earning for him the title, “King of Branded Shorts”. This close to home as Cahilig’s short films have reaped honors at local and international film festivals.

And now CinemaWorld is showing three of Cahilig’s select short films across Asia various traditional pay tv and streaming platforms.

A multimedia entertainment company incorporated and headquartered in Singapore, CinemaWorld is an international movie service showcasing award-winning movies, box office hits, and critics' favorites from around the world—the "first and only pan-Asian movie service to do so.” Launched in 2012, CinemaWorld has rapidly gained audiences in territories that include Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines.

Believing in the “articulating, emotive, and transcendent power of films to touch people’s hearts,” CinemaWorld gives immense value to films, features, and shorts—and their filmmakers and audience. This led to the launch of CinemaSHORT, a service expansion that aims at the trendier and younger—including the young minded—audience. As a platform, CinemaSHORT showcases quality short films from young and independent Asian filmmakers.

CinemaWorld describes the short film industry in Asia as a “largely untapped but incredibly dynamic industry.” And to Cahilig’s acclaim, CinemaWorld found not just one, but three gems in its archives: Cahilig's branded shorts titled ‘Pitaka’, ‘The Belt’, and ‘The Bully’.

Featured in CinemaWorld is Chris Cahilig’s most viewed short film on YouTube so far, “Sinturon” or “The Belt”, with 44.5 million views, which tells a daring and fun story focused on the theme of marital fidelity.

According to CinemaWorld, Filipino director Chris Cahilig’s award-winning works were chosen to be part of CinemaSHORT as these well-produced short films show a deeper meaning behind them. As the movie service points out, “The underlying themes of brotherhood, loyalty, and the dangers of bullying are well woven into the screenplay, making Cahilig’s stories highly relatable.”

CinemaWorld likewise asserts that short films are vital tools in telling the stories of ordinary people. “Connecting audiences from different parts of the world to beautiful films is our mission, and CinemaSHORT provides a unique curation of short films that often reflect untold stories from various regions."

Cahilig’s “The Bully” is a short film that dared to discuss the socially-relevant dangers of bullying, and the harm it can cause to the victims and the perpetrators–also now on the international platform CinemaWorld.

Cahilig shares his excitement on the opportunity to be part of all this. “I believe short films have the capacity to make indelible marks in the industry. This was affirmed when my short films went viral locally and earned international recognition. “And now CinemaShort’s streaming of ‘Pitaka’, ‘The Belt’, and ‘The Bully’ once more attests to how my short films were remarkably written, shot, and produced.”

“Pitaka” or “The Wallet” is one of Cahilig’s most memorable and award-winning short films, narrating the tale relatable to many Filipinos–a hardworking brother determined to work and provide for his younger brother, and how the latter strived to thank the former for his perseverance.

To date, Cahilig is one of the most sought-after Filipino directors for his seamless blend of branding and well-told stories. His short films have succeeded not only in promoting brands but also in drawing millions of organic views.

For instance, “Pitaka” (The Wallet) tells the story of a hardworking brother who is determined to put his younger brother through school. Competing in over 15 international film festivals across the globe, “Pitaka” has garnered over 40 million views on various social media platforms, including Facebook.

Known Filipino film critic Tito Valiente lauded the film for its exquisitely crafted storytelling. In his film review, he said, “The whole drama works and well-thought-out advertising can be engaging.”

A must-watch for high-school students, “Pitaka” uses Filipino poetry to add depth to its story. This, and the film’s excellent cinematography, handed “Pitaka” the following awards: Best Digital Ad Category at the 40th Catholic Mass Media Awards and Best Illustrated Poem in the 2018 Wales International Film Festival. “Pitaka” also made it to international film festival screenings in the US and Italy.

Featuring a more daring and fun storyline, “Sinturon” (The Belt), Cahilig’s most viewed and most viral branded short film, now has 44.5 million organic views on YouTube. Its theme of marital fidelity also created a loud buzz on social media. Netizens mentioned the effective use of the belt as a metaphor, and cited the plot twist as a noteworthy storytelling device.

Finally, “The Bully,” Cahilig’s socially relevant and heart-rending short film, tells the story of an alumnus returning to his alma mater to talk about bullying and its consequences, only to evoke a scene that haunts him to this day.

“The Bully” has been tagged as a must-see for students and their parents as it tackles the age-old issue of bullying and its deleterious effects on mental health.

All told, CinemaWorld affirms the exceptional qualities of these short films. "Their relatability, down-to-earth and simple narratives, combined with the talent of the cast, crew, and director make them the right fit for CinemaSHORT. We are happy to have Director Cahilig’s works in our platform."

For his part, Cahilig vows to continue partnering with brands to bring meaningful narratives to life, especially through short films.

“Pitaka,” “Sinturon,” and “The Bully” are now available to watch in various territories in Asia through CinemaWorld.

Tilda Appleseed animation wins Asian Television Awards 2017 for Best Preschool Program

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Tilda Apple Seed animation

Hamburg-based WunderWerk GmbH along with Manila’s ASI Studios Inc. & Singapore’s August Media Holdings have announced that their animated pre-school production Tilda Appleseed has won the Asian Television Awards 2017 in the BEST PRE-SCHOOL SHOW category. 

Speaking about the win, Gisela Schaefer, Managing Director at WunderWerk said, “We are delighted to have received the award. This recognizes the true beauty of the characters and the simple but key values that this show will deliver to it pre-school audiences.”

.Jackeline Chua Managing Partner of ASI Animation Studio Inc and Jyotirmoy Saha Founder of August Media Holdings

For her part, Jackeline Chua, Managing Partner at ASI Studios Inc. said, “The show presented for the studio, a particularly unique challenge in its art style. Once again our team demonstrated its versatility by not only taking on that challenge but also creating award winning works.”

The recently completed Tilda Appleseed is based on Andreas Schmachtl’s book series of the same name. The series follows the adventures of a spirited mouse with a big heart and an even bigger imagination – Tilda. The series is filled with many wonderful characters who model friendship in marvelous ways. This show about friendship and problem solving is designed for pre-schoolers and features an art style that completely resembles water colored books. The first season of the show was delivered in 2017 and a second season of 52 episodes is currently in the works.

WunderWerk had developed the book series into a TV series under license from German broadcaster, MDR/SWR for KiKA and is also the lead producer of the series. The series is animated at ASI Studios and co-produced by Synergy88 and August Media Holdings. 

For August Media Holdings, this is the 6th nomination in the last 3 years, 4 of which have been for shows produced in partnership with ASI Studios Inc. Founder of August Media Holdings (who is also a partner at ASI Studios), Jyotirmoy Saha said, “It’s wonderful to hit a home run year after year. I am proud of my teams at ASI and August Media and the association between the two companies.”

Tilda Appleseed is currently on air on MDR/SWR in Germany, Good TV in Taiwan and is available on the recently launched Over-the-top platform Tapow™ media streaming and download service. The show is soon to air on multiple other networks in various parts of the world starting the early half of 2018.

ABOUT WUNDERWERK

WunderWerk is a German production animation company focused on creating live action and animation features that deliver a powerful message. The company, based in Unterföhring (near Munich) and Hamburg, is passionate about stories in the field of children’s programming and family entertainment. 

They handle all areas of film production and distribute their titles internationally under the label WunderBox by Beta Film. Contact person: Gisela Schaefer (Gisela.schaefer@wunder-werk.de)

ABOUT ASI STUDIOS INC.

ASI Studios, Inc. is a full-service animation studio based in Singapore. The studio is a collaborative effort between Manila-based Synergy88 group and Singapore’s August Media Holdings. ASI Studies holds an office in Quezon City, Philippines and is focused on generating high-quality media projects. Its roster boasts of 130 highly trained artists with a collective experience in 2D traditional, Digital Cut Out, and paperless animation.

ASI is currently in the middle of the production of a new domestic TV series that is slated for release next year. Contact person: Jackeline Chua (jackie.chua@asi.media)

ABOUT AUGUST MEDIA HOLDINGS.

August Media Holders creates and manages intellectual properties for the youth and children. Along with its rights management arm August Rights, the company has made a mark with its properties which are on air in more than 100 countries. Contact Person: Jyotirmoy Saha (moy@augustmh.com)

Viddsee Juree Awards Top Ten Finalists Announced By Viddsee

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Young filmmakers to win Blackmagic camera and film course in L.A. at Viddsee Juree Awards 

Fresh, innovative and inspiring stories have been chosen to vie for top honors at the Viddsee Juree Philippines, a festival of short films that aim to celebrate and support filmmaker communities in Asia.

Alembrg Ang Awards Director Viddsee Jury Philippines

The nominated films are by upcoming talents from different schools such as the University of the Philippines, Far Eastern University, Mint, College of St Benilde, Letran, and International Academy of Film and Television. 

Their works are about families, personal struggles and the realities in rural communities— a young boy’s dream of becoming a mermaid, two brothers dealing with the loss of their parents shot entirely on a drone, a father battling grief and injustice after his son’s death, and more moving stories. 

Derek Tan Co-founder of Viddsee

Nikki Loke

Viddsee’s head of content Nikki Loke comments: 

“Themes from the top ten films highlight local cultures and nuances, while others reflect universal themes of mental health and identity, for example. Overall, I was very impressed with all the elements of storytelling like casting, cinematography, script, supporting the authenticity of these stories.” 

The winners of the Viddsee Juree Awards will be announced at a ceremony on Saturday, November 25, at the FDCP Cinematheque Centre Manila. Viddsee will also hold a series of workshops, forums and short film screenings at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde on 24 November, and at the Cinematheque from 24 to 26 November.  All these are open to the public. 

The initiative kicked off three months ago through an online campaign and offline roadshows in Manila, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao where it received encouraging response from the creative community. 

Two top entries will be named Gold and Silver winners. They will win production equipment including a cinema camera sponsored by Blackmagic and a five-day Film Immersion Course in Los Angeles sponsored by the Motion Picture Association. 

For the nominees, landing on the shortlist is a prize in itself. 

“There are some people who have criticized my work,which made me question my ability as a filmmaker. Being part of this competition made me more confident as a person and a filmmaker, and that I have the chance to be recognized by a bigger audience, that I have a shot in this industry,” says Tashana Rivera, director of the film “Companion”.

For Christian Candelaria, director of “In His Island,” being selected is also a tribute to those who helped him make his film. He declares, “I’m humbled and deeply proud to have the privilege of collaborating with such amazing and fine group of people who shared the same passion.” 

The jury is composed of Loïc Valceschini, festival programmer of Neuchâtel Int' Fantastic Film Fest and Locarno's Semaine de la Critique, Marcus Manh, Vietnamese film producer and founder of YxineFF, and Antoinette Jadaone, Filipino film writer director of blockbuster hits like “That Thing Called Tadhana and “Love You To The Stars and Back.” 

Viewers can see these films and other eligible in out-of-competition films for free on Viddsee.com.

For more information on these events and the shortlisted films visit https://www.viddsee.com/juree/ philippines2017   https://www.viddsee.com/ submit/juree/philippines

About Viddsee Juree Awards

Viddsee Juree Awards is an initiative celebrating the entertainment industry's picks of Asian short films from all genres: fiction, documentary and animation. In this second edition of Viddsee Juree Awards, stories are picked from the brightest talents and upcoming filmmakers in the Philippines to be watched and judged by a panel of international judges. Each short film shortlisted for the competition will be watched by millions online and selected for film screenings around various cities in the Philippines. Juree is part of Viddsee’s commitment to celebrate and support filmmakers and film communities in Asia.

About Viddsee

Founded in 2013, Viddsee is an online entertainment and technology platform that drives distribution and marketing of short movies. Its unique stories have generated over 1 billion views through Viddsee’s mobile applications and platforms with its proprietary marketing insight of targeted communities and content. With the vision of building an ecosystem for creators and audience, Viddsee empowers storytellers to tell their very own local stories that resonate with a global audience. Visit www.viddsee.com to find out more.

About Film Development Council of the Philippines

Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) is an agency under the Office of the President mandated to promote and support the development and growth of the Philippine film Industry and currently under the leadership of Chairperson Liza Diño. FDCP's goal is to create a thriving and self-sustaining Filipino film industry that contributes to the cultural and economic development of the country.

Filipinos, meet Anthony Diaz V: Fall for a new kind of screen hero in “Break”

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Who would have imagined how far a China-made digital 4MB SD card palm camera could take a young dreamer’s film making dreams?

In the case of Filipino-American actor-director-producer Anthony Diaz V, it is quite far indeed. “When I was a kid, my family had movie night every Friday,” Anthony recalls. “After every film, I would ask my parents, ‘What motivated the characters’ actions?’”

That sort of set Anthony off on an early film education with his father encouraging his then ten-year-old son to lap up with glee movies like “The Godfather,” “Taxi Driver,” “Reservoir Dogs,” “Pulp Fiction,” “El Mariachi,” “The Shawshank Redemption,” the list goes on. These are films that Anthony admits “many kids my age at the time wouldn’t be interested in.”

He was, in a manner of speaking, a normal kid whose growing love for films made him a misfit.

Before he was 20, the brawny Anthony Diaz has completed dozens of short films. The independent film making spirit has been evident early on with Anthony multitasking, taking on screen writing, directing, producing, acting, and editing duties. By the time he reached 20, he has already graduated with high honors at the University of Las Vegas Film School (UNLV), making him the youngest graduate in the history of the program.

Anthony has received acclaim for the early short films he made like “Delusion” and “Forgotten Heroes.” In 2012, he put up a film production company called Kaizen Studios in Las Vegas, USA. The following year, he established a satellite of Kaizen Studios in Shibuya, Japan.

Japan is close to Anthony’s heart, having been a frequent visitor to the land of sashimis, cherry blossoms, and top-tier car brands since he was 8. Little wonder then that when he embarked on his first full length feature, Anthony chose to make “Break.”

“Break” can be described in many ways depending on how the viewer sees it but at its core, it is a story about alienation and angst as a young Japanese-American lad is thrown into the underworld while he deals with personal issues as an outsider trying to fit into Japanese society.

It is, in a way, a throwback to Anthony’s childhood when he was watching movies that wouldn’t strike a chord with children his age. He was like a misfit then, as his character in “Break” is. There is a need to find his place in an environment that isn’t very welcoming. Then he loses the girl he loves and the downward spiral begins.

On screen and in photos, Anthony Diaz strikes you as a kind of millennial James Dean, but this time a rebel with a cause, and with a more relatable Liam Neeson-ish vibe. In the movie “Break,” he even does breakdancing in one scene. Clearly, Anthony is the new kind of screen hero who has a good head to match the well-toned physique. And somehow you sense that there is a tenderness that lies beneath the swagger and the action star gait.

But Anthony assures that the similarities between him and his movie character end there. “The movie is not autobiographical at all,” he points out. “Break,” according to him, “was actually inspired from a short film I made when I was 17 years old called ‘Lunch Break’ which I shot with my high school friends in Vegas. The premise of the story is similar, but I expanded the universe and characters against the backdrop of Japan.”

Why should Pinoy audiences not miss “Break?” “This film is really unique as it blends American storytelling with Japanese cinema infused with hip-hop. It’s the first time to my knowledge that a film has simultaneous English and Japanese language throughout the movie with supporting subtitles. But most importantly, the overall theme is of a foreigner trying desperately to fit in. It is what most of us have experienced in some form or another.”

“Break” has had a private screening in Japan last April and its second stop is the Philippines before it heads off to Sundance.

To find out more about “Break,” go to thebreakmovie.com or visit the Kaizen Studios FB page @Facebook.com/KaizenStudios

Globe pioneers the first online film festival in the Philippines - Globe Independent Film Festival #GIFF

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Globe launched the first online film festival in the Philippines - Globe Independent Film Festival, or GIFF.

Through its film productions arm Globe Studios, Globe's GIFF sets the bar for film festivals by maximizing the online platform to reach a wider audience.

Veering from traditional film fests, and advocating Filipino talent and championing original content, 

GIFF adds a whole new dimension to digital entertainment by bringing the film entries online. This way, more people will be able to access and watch on demand, right on their device.

Open to all amateur filmmakers, GIFF will be accepting entries for any of these 5 genres: Narrative, Documentary, Animated, Experimental, Music Video, and Webisode. 

Film submissions will be evaluated by an esteemed panel of judges from the entertainment industry namely, Antoinette Jadaone, Bianca Gonzalez,Philbert Dy, and Sid Maderazo. 

Dan Horan, Globe Senior Advisor for Consumer Business

Dan Horan, Globe Senior Advisor for Consumer Business said : 

“The launch of Globe Studios gave us a whole new way of bringing wonderful entertainment to our customers. With GIFF, our vision for Globe Studios is realized – to be able to advocate local talent and eventually collaborate with them for content. GIFF allows us to fuel creativity among filmmakers and we look forward to the entries and bring these amazing films closer to every Filipino.” 

In the course of the film fest, the public will be able to watch the shortlisted films on GlobeStudios.ph, the Globe Studios YouTube channel, at the Globe ICONIC store, or at select cinema screenings.

Winners per category are set to bring home up to P200000.00 and will be announced at GIFF’s culminating event in November. Interested groups can learn more about the complete mechanics by visiting www.GlobeStudios.ph. 

As a special showcase, GIFF kicks off the film fest with 5 laudable short films led by 5 esteemed Filipino directors. 

Available on GlobeStudios.ph and the Globe YouTube channel, everyone can watch the following titles:

• How to Find Love directed by Quark Henares
• An Open Door by Paul Soriano
• Trapik by Dan Villegas
• Ang Painting ni Tatay by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo
• Bestfriend by Bb. Joyce Bernal

In addition to the major film categories, GIFF also launches another program: “The Globe 5-Minute Video Challenge”. 

This joint initiative with the Singtel Group and its telco associates comprised of Singtel, Optus, AIS, Airtel, and Telkomsel, the 5-minute video challenge is part of the group’s efforts to drive content innovation across its markets and it will be conducted at two levels – local and regional. 

 Quark Henares, Paul Soriano and Dan Villegas

Epy Quizon hosting the Globe's GIFF launched held at the Globe Icon Store, Bonifacio Global City, September 1, 2016

Globe invites aspiring or experienced local filmmakers to submit 5-minute entries based on the theme “Connecting Lives”. The entries will be judged on criteria such as originality of content, storytelling and cinematography. The top two video entries from the Philippines will win P350000.00 each and will automatically qualify for the regional level of the competition. 

“We are making a big push in digital content as consumers have radically changed the way they consume entertainment. For many of Singtel’s more than 600 million customers, the mobile phone is also the only way for them to access the Internet. A pan-regional competition makes a lot of sense, as the power of content is its ability to transcend geographical and language barriers. Our customers will be able to enjoy access to a rich variety of original content created by the most talented content-makers from the region,” said Mark Chong, CEO, International, Singtel 

The grand finals will be held in Bangkok, Thailand on Nov. 21, with cash prizes of $30000.00 and $15000.00 to be awarded to the grand winner and runner-up, respectively. The regional winners will also get the opportunity to promote their videos on each associate’s mobile and video platforms to customers in the Group’s markets across Asia, Africa and Australia. 

To find out more about The 5-min Video Challenge, visit www.the5minvideo.com.

MYNP Top 5 Finalists of SineNanay Film Festival announced

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MAKE Your Nanay Proud (MYNP) Foundation has unveiled this year's first SineNanay Film Festival.

According to Ms. Bemz Benedito, Managing Director of MYNP, the aim of the film festival is to recognize the greatest woman in our life, our nanay. "We tell the students to explore, provoke interpret and capture images of how they express their love for their nanays.”

The contest is open to college students (in group or individuals) from La Consolacion College Manila (LCCM) and Philippine Women’s University (PWU) using only a camera phone.

The selection committee was composed of members of the academe and MYNP officers. From 12 semi-finalists, the committee came up with five final entries from LCCM and PWU.

The entries include: Ma. Chrisma Alberto’s “NaTay” which is about a grandfather who takes care of his grandchild after her mother died while giving birth; the film “Istorya ng Pagmamahal at Sakripisyo” by Ella May Arevalo, She Villate and Camille Castañas revolves around the story of a sick mother who shows her undying love for her son up to her last breath; Ma. Ana Elaiza Lardizabal’s “Lipstick” showcases a different look at being a mother; a mother’s love knows no boundaries that not even an iron wall can stop her from fulfilling her obligations to her children in the film “Rehas” by Mary Joy Bonapos and Cathrene Anne Joseph while their other entry, “Mama’s Girl”, tackles the unconditional love and devotion of a mother for her daughter.

The finalists were recently invited to attend an orientation program conducted by Gawad CCP awardee Direk Nick Olanka and Mr. Gorio Vicuña, an expert in high-end CG animation, live action production, and visual effects for film and television.

The deliberation of winners will be held on the 3rd week of September. 

Indie and theater actor Arnold Reyes is the Festival Director of SineNanay.

Benedito shares that the film festival is a tribute to all mothers and a celebration of a child’s love for his/her mother.

Ten finalists for the Short Film Category for the 2013 Cinemalaya Competition

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The Cinemalaya Foundation has announced the finalists for the Short Film Category for the 2013 Cinemalaya Competition.

The ten finalists in the Short Film Category are:

Bakaw by Ron Segismundo

Katapusang Labok by Aiess Athina E. Alonso

Missing by Zig Madamba Dulay

Onang by Jann Eric S. Tiglao

Para kay Ama by Relyn A. Tan

Pukpok by Joaquin Adrian M. Pantaleon

Sa Wakas by Ma. Veronica Santiago

Taya by Philip Adrian Bontayam

The Houseband’s Wife by Paulo P. O’Hara

Tutob by Kissza Mari V. Campano

Bakaw is a day in the life of a child who steals at the Navotas fishport.

Katapusang Labok depicts the struggles of fishermen who must deal with environmental abuse and the effects of coral harvesting on their livelihood.

Missing tackles the subject of forced disappearances.

Onang is the classic tale of a young probinsyana who seeks her fortune in the big city.

Para kay Ama is about a young Chinese-Filipino girl who discovers she has a half-brother when she meets him on the last day of her father’s wake.

Pukpok is one adolescent’s transition to manhood as he hurdles a case characterized by excessive blood, superstition and a man with failing eyesight.

Sa Wakas is a reflection on the bond of a father and daughter tested by cultural, political and religious hypocrisy.

Taya is about a 12-year-old boy who learns to play the game of life with a new set of friends. The film highlights how traditional Filipino games reflect the realities and disparities of our society.

The Houseband’s Wife is an essay about a typical OFW family, with the OFW wife as breadwinner and the husband left in the Philippines to care for the children.  Technology and the internet bridges the physical distance but shatters domestic harmony when the wife, on a Skype video call, sees a bra, not hers, hanging in the marital closet.

Tutob begins when recent bombings in the region put authorities on alert. A mysterious, strange-looking native Maranao man dressed up in Muslim attire shows up.  He is tasked to fetch a package from his boss’ contact.  From a rural area in the mountains, he rides his motorcycle to the city to get the package.  On his way back, he is stopped at an army checkpoint.  Speaking Maranao, he says he doesn’t know what’s in the package, but the Visayan-speaking soldiers don’t understand him and insist on opening it.

The short feature category finalists were selected by the Cinemalaya Selection Committee comprised of Emilio Abello, VI, Lawrence Fajardo, Nic Deocampo, Mike Sandejas and Teddy Co.

The Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and Competition seeks to discover, encourage, and honor the cinematic works of Filipino filmmakers that boldly articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity. The works are narrative features that articulate Filipino identity and culture in digital format. The competition is held in three categories, the New Breed Full Length Feature, Short Feature and the Directors Showcase.

Cinemalaya 2013 will be held on July 26 – August 4 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Ayala Cinemas at TriNoma, Greenbelt 3, and Alabang Town Center. It is a project of the of the Cinemalaya Foundation, Inc., in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and Econolink Investments, Inc. (EEI).

Cinemalaya also features the Short Feature competition category as well as film exhibitions, seminars, conference, the Cinemalaya Film Congress, and other film-related events.

For more information, please visit www.culturalcenter.gov.ph and the CCP facebook page.