NINE Filipino independent films will represent the country on the 3rd ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards (AIFFA) 2017 to be held in Kuching, Malaysia on May 4-6.
The said grand film event of Malaysia, with Livan Tajang as Festival Director, is being held every other year, which started in 2013 and the last one was in 2015.
For this year, the nine Pinoy films in competition (all produced in 2015 and 2016) are: “Imbisibol” (Sinag Maynila 2015) by Lawrence Fajardo, “Purgatoryo” (QCinema 2016) by Derick Cabrido, “Dagsin” (Cinemalaya 2016) by Atom Magadia, “Paglipay” by Zig Dulay and “Pauwi Na” by Paolo Villaluna (both from Tofarm Film Festival 2016).
Then there’s “Laut” and “Area”, both directed by Louie Ignacio, “Dayang Asu” (Cinema One Originals 2015) by Bor Ocampo, and “Ned’s Project” (Cine Filipino 2016) by Lem Lorca.
Aside from Direk Louie, actors Allen Dizon and Bernardo Bernardo are also flying to Malaysia to represent their two films in the list – Dizon for “Imbisibol” and “Area”, Bernardo also for “Imbisibol” and “Purgatoryo”.
For “Laut”, producer Ferdinand Lapuz joins Direk Louie, while for “Area”, executive producer Baby Go joins Direk Louie and Dizon. Onyl Torres, also in the cast of “Imbisibol,” will join.
Also going to AIFFA in Malaysia to represent their respective films are: Anna Luna (“Paglipay”), Direk Paolo (“Pauwi Na”).
For “Dagsin”, actor Benjamin Alves and co-writer/ supervising producer Anne Prado-Magadia will join Direk Atom.
Direk Bor will be joined by his film editor Mikee dela Cruz for “Dayang Asu”. As of presstime, representative of “Ned’s Project” is being finalized.
AIFFA is a film competition by ASEAN countries such as Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, etc.
“Ang Babaeng Humayo” (The Woman Who Left) by Lav Diaz will be this year’s opening film, to be represented by executive producer Ronald Arguelles.
The awards night will be hosted by Filipino celebrities Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez. Cherie Gil, who won Best Actress in AIFFA 2015 (for “Sonata”) and Marlo Mortel will both present an award, while Jason Dy will do a song number.
FDCP Chair Liza Diño-Seguerra and Cannes 2016 Best Actress Jaclyn Jose will separately be guest speakers on two different programs of the festival. Mercedes Cabral will be a guest, too.
In 2015, Superstar Nora Aunor was honored the AIFFA Lifetime Achievement Award, while Jackie Chan was given the Asian Inspiration Award.
Among the jury members this year is award-winning Filipino filmmaker Raymond Red. Philippine Coordinator is cinematographer Rain Yamson. (MELL T. NAVARRO)
