With a partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines, the Focus on Asia Fukuoka International Film Festival joins and celebrates Philippine Cinema for its One Hundred Years by highlighting a Special Feature on Filipino Films for its 2018 edition. Considered as a Country of Focus celebration, the Agency will lead the delegation of Filipino filmmakers, artists, and academicians this September in Fukuoka, Japan.
“The City of Fukuoka which organizes the Festival has given importance to Philippine Cinema since way back. Just a year after its inception in 1991, Lino Brocka’s Insiang already found its way as the Philippines’ first official entry to the Festival. Since then, many other important Filipino films and filmmakers have been invited in Fukuoka to participate in discussion sessions as well as symposia which brought about a relationship of exchange with the audience of Fukuoka. This is why we are very proud that this year, we finally get to partner with them so we celebrate the centennial of Philippine Cinema together and looking forward to the future of our films,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño.
The Special Feature entitled “Drawn and Attracted to the Sacred Chaos” will feature the outstanding Filipino films directed by young filmmakers to represent the future of the country’s cinema, including Nervous Translation directed by Shireen Seno, Bagahe by Zig Dulay, Smaller and Smaller Circles by Raya Martin, and Women of the Weeping River by Sheron Dayoc. The Festival will also feature on Omnibus of regional short films with Hilom by PR Patindol, Gikan sa Ngitngit Nga Kinaidlaman by Kiri Dalena, Babylon by Keith Deligero, Si Astri Maka si Tambulah by Xeph Suarez, and Jodilerks Dela Cruz, Employee of the Month by Carlo Francisco Manatad.
Fukuoka’s special program entitled Restoration Asia VI will feature another Filipino classic masterpiece from the 1970s, “Nunal Sa Tubig” (“Speck in the Water”) directed by Ishmael Bernal will be screened in the Festival as a digital restoration of the 35mm film print archived under the collection of the Fukuoka City Public Library (Film Archive). The film will be screened with both Japanese and English subtitles.
This will be followed by a discussion on restoration which will be chaired by Hisashi Okajima, Director of Nationa Film Archive of Japan and will include Leo Katigbak, Head of Film Restoration and Archives of ABS-CBN, Adrian Wood, Founder & Coordinator, Restoration Asia, Fukuoka and FDCP Chairperson and CEO Mary Liza Diño.
FDCP will also host the SPOTLIGHT: Philippine Cinema Centennial Talks which the agency features in its participation to international markets and film festivals where Philippine Cinema has made a mark whether currently or in the past. For Fukuoka, the topic will focus on the PHILIPPINES’ ALTERNATIVE and ARCHIPELAGIC CINEMA on September 16, 2018, 4:00PM at United Cinemas Canal City 13. The speakers in the panel include Laila Ulao, Lead Actress of Women of the Weeping River, Director Zig Dulay of Bagahe (The Baggage), Director Shireen Seno and Producer John Torres of Nervous Translation and Teng Mangansakan, Festival Director of Salamindanaw Asian Film Festival to be introduced by FDCP Chairperson Diño.
A Philippine Night will also be held to introduce the Filipino delegation to Asian and international partners for exploration and discussion of collaboration and partnerships.
Focus on Asia Fukuoka International Film Festival runs from September 14 to 23, 2018 in Fukuoka, Japan.
