In recognition and celebration of the One Hundred Years of Philippine Cinema, the Philippines has been announced as the Country of Focus of the 23rd BUSAN International Film Festival. As part of the official announcement by the organizers, Philippine Cinema will be highlighted in a number of activities and events during the Festival whose delegation will be headed by the Film Development Council of the Philippines.
FDCP leads the country in one of the biggest film festivals in Asia and the world, bringing in a huge delegation composed of filmmakers and producers who will be participating at the film market, film exhibitions, special screenings and talks as part of the celebration.
“We cannot stress how great of an honor it is to be selected as the Country of Focus in Busan just in time for our centennial. More than highlighting our Cinema, being the Country of Focus means greater exposure for our filmmakers and more platforms for us to showcase this work. Our target for our next hundred years is to go global not just through the prestige of being in festivals but in finding opportunities for coproduction and distribution, and Busan is the best place to start because it offers both when it comes to film market, festival, culture and industry,” said FDCP Chairperson Liza Dino during the Agency’s send-off Press Conference for Busan delegates last October 2, 2018 in Quezon City.
Special Program in Focus – Cinema as a Response to the Nation
BUSAN’s Special Program focusing on the Philippines will feature ten (10) Filipino classics in Retrospective. Entitled Cinema as a Response to the Nation, the lineup includes A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino directed by Lamberto V. Avellana (1965), Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon? directed by Eddie Romero (1976), Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos directed by Mario O’Hara (1976), Ang Panday directed by Fernando Poe, Jr. (1980), Cain at Abel directed by Lino Brocka (1982), Moral directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya (1982), Himala directed by Ishmael Bernal (1982), Bayaning 3rd World directed by Mike De Leon (2000), Dekada‘70 directed by Chito S. Rono (2002) and Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria directed by Remton Siega Zuasola (2010).
This program was curated with the help and support of National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Commission on Cinema, head of Subcommission on the Arts, Mr. Teddy Co, Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino member Mr. Tito Valiente, Screenwriter, Director and Author Mr. Doy Del Mundo, and Filim Historian and Professor Mr. Nick de Ocampo of Center for New Cinema and UPFI.
These films were provided through the assistance given by FPJ Restoration, ABS-CBN Restoration, Cinema One Originals and Solar Films with special thanks to award-winning director, Mike De Leon.
Filipino Films at Busan International Film Festival (BIFF)
A Window on Asian Cinema Section
Included in A Window on Asian Cinema Section are Citizen Jake directed by Mike De Leon (2018), Alpha: The Right To Kill directed by Brillante Mendoza (2018), The Eternity Between Seconds directed by Alec Figuracion (2018), Gusto Kita with All My Hypothalamus directed by Dwein Baltazar (2018), Lakbayan directed by Lav Diaz, Brillante Mendoza and Kidlat Tahimik (2018) and Signal Rock directed by Chito Rono (2018).
Wide Angle Section
The Wide Angle Short Film Showcase includes Last Order directed by Joji Alonso and Manila is Full of Men Named Boy directed by Stephen Lee and the Wide Angle Documentary Showcase will feature Land from God directed by Kevin Piamonte (2018).
Book Launch of the Commemorative Book on Philippine Cinema and Spotlight: Philippines
In further support, BIFF will also publish a special book entitled, “Centennial Anniversary of the Philippine Cinema,” on October 5, 2018 at the Busan Cinema Center to be introduced by Professor Nick Deocampo, Mr. Tito Valiente and Mr. Teddy Co who contributed their individual essays to the publication.
Right after the book launch will be the Spotlight: Philippines, Cinema Centennial Talks with the topic, “Cinema as a Response to the Nation” featuring Christopher de Leon (Cain at Abel, Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon?, Dekada 70s and Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos), Joel Torre (Bayaning 3rd World), Sandy Andolong (Moral), Piolo Pascual (Dekada 70s) who star in the films featured in the Special Program.
THE PHILIPPINE CINEMA IN 100 YEARS
Cinema Un/Bound: Archipelagic Cinema of the Philippines Exhibit
FDCP will also be holding an exhibit on the history of Philippine Cinema entitled Cinema Un/Bound: Archipelagic Cinema of the Philippines at the Busan Cinema Center on October 6-11, 2018. Curated in partnership with Professor Nick Deocampo, the exhibit will explore the journey of cinema from the past to its future.
Philippine Cinema Talks and Networking Hour
To showcase the many aspects and opportunities for partnership with Philippine Cinema, FDCP is hosting a Philippine Cinema Talks with our filmmakers, producers and experts at the Exhibit Venue to be followed by the Cocktail hour for networking with guests. This is the perfect venue for everyone to know more about the Filipino filmmaking and the Philippine Cinema.
Here are the topics and the time and dates of the Philippine Cinema Talks:
- Philippine Cinema Talks: Regional Cinema
October 7 at Outdoor Dome, Busan Cinema Center.
- Philippine Cinema Talks: Producing Films in the Philippines
October 8 at the Outdoor Dome, Busan Cinema Center.
- Philippine Cinema Talks: The Future of Philippine Cinema
October 9, at the Outdoor Dome, Busan Cinema Center.
- Philippine Cinema Talks: Filipina Cinema
October 10 at the Outdoor Dome, Busan Cinema Center.
Asian Film Market (AFM)
From October 6-9, FDCP is also hosting a Philippine Pavilion at the Asian Film Market featuring nineteen (19) Filipino companies.
The Asian Film Market (AFM) runs alongside Busan International Film Festival as a total film market covering all stages of film industry from pre-production to film sales. As with other film markets, AFM focuses on the business side of filmmaking, giving an opportunity for its participants and attendees to buy and sell films, equipment, license, secure production or co-production projects and partnerships, trade information and such other activities relevant to the business of filmmaking, research companies network among film professionals.
Asian Project Market (APM)
For this year, a Filipino project entitled Fan Girl by Antoinette Jadaone and produced by Dan Villegas and Bianca Balbuena is a selected project at the Asian Project Market from October 7-9, 2018.
Asian Project Market is a co-production platform that offers emerging filmmakers the opportunity to meet international leading film professionals. Each year APM discovers fresh feature film projects ranging from big-scale commercial film projects to low-budget indies and links them with global film investors, producers and distributors. Numerous APM projects have already made it through to completion and received positive responses from both film festivals and international audiences. As such, APM continues to earn greater interest from filmmakers around the world.
Platform Busan
In partnership with the festival as well, eleven (11) Filipino delegates were accepted to this year’s Platform Busan. Included in the delegates are FDCP’s Sine Kabataan’s Best Short Film winner Ardinian Jaq Sanque and Lorys Plaza as well as Kita Kita director Sigrid Andrea Bernardo.
Platform BUSAN is a networking platform where independent filmmakers in Asia can share their experience and seek out opportunities for collaboration. By providing the network for young and emerging filmmakers and professionals based in Asia, Busan International Film Festival will not only continue to be the central channel for Asian cinema, but also lead the future of Asian cinema.
Asian Film Academy
The Asian Film Academy (AFA) is being held from September 27-October 14, 2018 and there are currently five (5) Filipino participants in the Academy.
Asian Film Academy (AFA) is an educational program hosted by Busan International Film Festival, Busan Film Commission and GKL Foundation to foster young Asian talents and build their networks throughout Asia. Over the past 13 years, 313 alumni from 32 countries have been standing out in filmmaking field all over the Asia and in the prestigious festivals throughout the world.
Asian Film Commissions Network (AFCNet)
The Asian Film Commissions Network (AFCNet) is a network of film commissions and professional film support agencies in Asia launched to facilitate information sharing in regards to filming locations, regulations and incentives and to support member organizations’ efficient interactions with foreign production companies and/or related industry-supporting agencies.
FDCP is this year’s newly elected member of the Board of Directors, while producer Bianca Balbuena has been selected as the AFCNet Producer of the year.
Link of Cine-Asia
LINK OF CINE-ASIA is organized to show a wide spectrum of Forum sessions including the latest technology and issues among film and visual industry, promotion of regional exchange in Asia, support project and so on. In addition, it has a BIZ Matching for Film commissions & Institutions (Group A), Projects (Group B), and Investment & production companies (Group c) that are interested in international co-production and shooting abroad while providing Project Pitching session introducing Asia’s various transmedia projects such as Feature Films, Web Toon, Web Drama, Animations, VR Contents. Participants also get a broad networking chance by visiting the assorted themes of Lounges, the Opening Reception, and diverse Networking parties.
LINK OF CINE-ASIA was launched by Busan Film Commission and is a global event presenting Asian Film Forum & Business Showcase, held every October since 2016. It runs from October 7-9, 2018. Two (2) Filipino companies are included in AFCNet’s business matching program.
Philippine Cinema Night at Busan IFF 2018
In honor of the Filipino delegates and to present them to our international partners for exposure and collaboration, FDCP is organizing a Philippine Cinema Night to be attended by Honorable Raul S. Hernandez, Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea and approximately 100 delegates from the Philippines.
The 23rd BUSAN International Film Festival will run from October 4 to 13, 2018 in Busan, South Korea.
