JUST A THOUGHT: “It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.” – Paulo Coelho, Alchemist.
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PISTA NG PELIKULANG PILIPINO: You may ask, What?
Another Filipino film festival, this time in August?
The Film Development Council of the Philippines is unfazed, bolstered by an inner fire to promote furthermore the flowering of locally made films.
Last week, the FDCP, through its chair, Liza Dino, announced that a Pista highlighting new Filipino films is to take place in August in time for the celebration of Buwan ng Wika.
FDCP is partnering with theatre groups to screen Filipino films nationwide on August 16-22, 2017. The feast is dubbed Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino.
According to FDCP, Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino will be a big celebration of Filipino films, showcasing a wide variety of genre films to choose from nationwide.
Ms. Diño said Pista will be held in cooperation with National Cinema Association of the Philippines and SM Lifestyle Entertainment. These two bodies have graciously dedicated over 700 screens to the Pista.
The event is open to all Filipino filmmakers who may submit films on or before June 15, 2017. Ten (10) to twelve (12) films will be selected by a selection committee headed by the FDCP. Genres can range from family-oriented to romantic comedy, horror, fantasy, and historical films.
Each film will be screened at a minimum of 60 theaters.
Incidentally, Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino was the former catchphrase of the old Manila Film Festival, the mother of all filmfests in 1967 started by then Manila Mayor Antonio J. Villegas.
For more information, filmmakers may email FDCP at [email protected].
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JUMPING THE GUN ON MMFF: In a way, Pista is jumping the gun on the Metro Manila Film Festival which follows suit four months later, in December. The upside is that the Pista is another opportunity to exclusively highlight Filipino-made films.
The downside lies in its playdate. August is traditionally a low season for movies. It is the height of our rainy season, driving away audiences from movie houses.
Perhaps, June may be a better playdate in the 2018 edition of Pista. It also allows a gap of six months until the MMFF rolls along.
June, still the height of summer, is also school opening time when students may find it exciting to start the school year with a movie or two to consume. (NESTOR CUARTERO)