Philippine Cinema continues to go global with Cannes 2018

In continuing its efforts to promote Philippine Cinema in the international scene and create more opportunities for Filipino producers to find international collaborators, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) once again leads the Filipino delegation to Cannes International Film Festival and Marche Du Film from May 8-19, 2018 in Cannes, France. Cannes International Film Festival, with its counterpart film market Marche Du Film, is one of only three A-list international film festivals in the world and gathers the best and most relevant film industry figures around the world.

Festival de Cannes

The prestigious film festival will be featuring “Judgement,” film by Raymund Ribay Gutierrez at the Short Film Competition. Competing with world-quality films, Judgement is the story of Joy, a mother of a 4 year-old girl, who finally decides to file a case under domestic violence against his abusive husband, Dante. Gutierrez’ other short film “Imago” was also nominated for Best Short Film in Cannes Film Festival in 2016.

Also, a special feature will be the premiere of the restored version of the 1982 French-Filipino film Cinq et la Peau (Five and the Skin) at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight. The whole film was shot entirely in the Philippines starring Gloria Diaz, Bembol Roco, Philip Salvador and Joel Lamangan, directed by legend Pierre Rissien, and was featured in the Cannes’ Un Certain Regard 36 years ago.

The film’s director, Pierre Rissien, whom they call the Man of Cannes passed away last May 5, 2018 days before he was supposed to introduce the film during Cannes Directors’ Fortnight. He is a Cannes Adviser, an influential Cinephile and Cannes Film Scout before he died, and a known supporter of Philippine Cinema.

Award-winning Filipino short film director Carlo Manatad is also a participant at Cinefondation’s Atelier for its 14th edition. Manatad and his producer Armi Cacanindin are the only Filipino pair accepted in the reputable program with their project in development “Whether the Weather is Fine”. The same project was also awarded the Co-Production Award in last year’s TorinoFilmLab. L’Atelier provides participants access to international co-productions to accelerate the film’s completion.

Cannes Film Market (Marche Du Film)

For Marche, the FDCP is hosting a Philippine Pavilion which houses 18 Filipino production companies with contents and projects open for collaboration and international distribution. “Philippine Cinema is at its one hundred years and we are really excited because we get to bring the celebration to Cannes. Cannes has played such an important part in the promotion of Philippine Cinema worldwide, taking notice of our legendary filmmakers from Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal in the 70’s to today’s Brillante Mendoza Raymond Red, Adolf Alix and the many Filipino filmmakers making waves in the Festival. At the same time, Marche Du Film has been a great platform for our producers to be exposed to the world of global co-production and distribution. Because of that, we really want to maximize our annual participation especially this year to both the Festival and the Market,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Mary Liza Dino.

Short Film Corner and Market Screenings

The Philippines also have the following participants to the Cannes Short Film Corner – Logro (Odds) by Kani Villaflor, Todas by Patrick Eugenio, Palabas (A Country in Moving Pictures) by Noel Escondo, Milagros by Pigeon X, Kadena (Shackles) by Arvin Belarmino, and Alaala (Memory) by Arjanmar Rebeta. This section more than screens the short films but also conducts meetings with professionals facilitated by experienced speakers, workshops and themed conferences which will increase the chances of short films being selected by international festivals, as well as revealing the filmmakers’ talents to potential partners and diffusers.

As for Market Screenings which are open to all badge holders in the Festivals, Neomanila by Mikhail Red (PelikulaRED), Dormitoryo by Emerson Reyes (TBA Studios) , Nervous Translation by Shireen Seno (Cinema One Originals, Cinematorgrafica), Respeto by Treb Monteras (ArkeoFilms) and The Trigonal: Fight for Justice by Vincent Soberano (Cinefenio Productions) are set for exhibition.

Spotlight Country in the Cannes Producers Network

For the first time, the Philippine is going to be the Spotlight Country in the Cannes Producers Network. It is an industry event which facilitates connections between producers to help them boost their projects in development through a series of events designed to encourage international co-productions. With over 500 attendees from all over the world, producers will get to meet the best of the best. As a Spotlight country, the Philippines gets to showcase its most promising Filipino producers who are geared and ready for co-productions with international partners, namely Alemberg Ang (Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa, 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten, Ang Larawan), Armi Rae Cacanindin (Kusina, I’m Drunk I Love You, Jodilerks Dela Cruz, Employee of the Month), Pedring Lopez (Binhi, Nilalang, Dark Room), Sheron Dayoc (Halaw, Children’s Show, Women of the Weeping River) and Bianca Balbuena (That Thing Called Tadhana, Hele Sa Hiwagang Hapis, Ang Panahon ng Halimaw).

This can further jumpstart the country’s efforts to get content out to the world and create new ones with international partners. The Spotlight event will also be featuring Cannes Best Director 2009 Brillante Mendoza, Palm d’Or Short Film 2000 winner Raymond Red, and FDCP Chairperson Liza Dino as guests of honour.

Sandaan: Philippine Cinema Centennial Talks

Another way of FDCP’s celebration of One Hundred Years of Philippine Cinema is its hosting of Sandaan: Philippine Cinema Centennial Talks which shares to the international community the journey and triumphs of the local cinema. For Cannes, there will be a 2-day panel on May 15-16, 3 PM at the Philippine Pavilion on Filipino films going to the Cannes Film Festival, as well as the opportunities for co-productions with the Philippines and using it as a film location for foreign productions through the Film Philippines program. Among the panelists will be Brillante Mendoza, Raymond Red, and producers Armi Cacanindin, Alemberg Ang, Bianca Balbuena, Sheron Dayoc, and Pedring Lopez.

Consortium Against Sexual Harassment in the Entertainment Industry

FDCP joined forces with Darpan Singapore and Southeast Asia Audiovisual Association by being the first country to enter the Consortium against Sexual Harassment in the Entertainment Industry. With the incredible movement of #MeToo in Hollywood and Europe, both partners believe that it is important that this culture of accountability and empowerment reaches Asia as well. During the signing event entitled You and #MeToo, Ms. Sreya Sen and Chairperson Dino committed to raise awareness, lobby for legislation and inspire a much-needed culture change in both Singapore and the Philippines and their respective film industries. They also aim to encourage other Asian countries to join the movement and push for collective action.