Mother Lily and Roselle M. Teo

A Philippine delegation left Sunday, Oct. 11, for Korea to attend the 14th Pusan International Film Festival which is now ongoing till Oct. 16. Leading the delegation composed of producers, directors and stars (of mainstream and indie films), and other movie personalities is Rolando S. Atienza, chairman of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP). He will also be the representative to the Asia Film Policy Forum. The topics to be discussed in the forum are funding, incentives and co-production.

One of the major film festivals in Asia, the Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) has, in the past 13 years, “has been a successful launching platform of documentaries and animations, commercial and independent films, digital as well as analog films,” noted Chairman Atienza. FDCP is the partner of the PIFF in the Retrospective Section of this year’s festival. The Council is also managing the other activities of the Philippines at the PIFF.

The Philippines is the country of honor at the Pusan filmfest this year and as such, a retrospective of 14 independent films will be presented under “Mabuhay Pinoy Indie Cinema” of which FDCP is co-presentor. The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CPP) assisted the FDCP in the search for, subtitling and preparation of the films.

The retrospective section is part of Pusan’s Special Programs in Focus, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Korea and the Philippines. It will be a “genealogical journey” of Filipino indie films from the 50s to the present which should be interesting and meaningful of course.

The films featured in the retrospective section are:

“Genghis Khan” by Manuel Conde; “Insiang” by Lino Brocka; “Passionate Strangers” by Eddie Romero; “Olivere” by Nick Deocampo; “Sakay” by Raymond Red; “Ang Daan Patungong Kalimugtong (The Road to Kalimugtong)” by Mess Guzman; “Mabangong Bangungot (Perfumed Nighmare)” by Kidlat Tahimik; “Manila By Night” by Ishmael Bernal; “Itim” by Mike de Leon; “Serafin Geronimo: Ang Kriminal ng Baryo Concepcion (Criminal of Barrio Concepcion)” by Lav Diaz; “Babae sa Breakwater (The Woman at the Breakwater)” by Mario O’Hara; “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros)” by Auraeus Solito; “Kinatay” by Brilliante Mendoza; and “Independencia” by Raya Martin.

Aside from these films in the retrospective section, there are also Philippine films in the other sections: “Astig” by GB Sampedro, in competition, New Currents section; “Yanggaw” by Richard Somes, in exhibition, Window on Asian Cinema; “Baseco Bakal Boys” by Ralson Jover, Wide Angle section; “Bogog” by Milo Tolentino, in competition, Short Films; “Bonsai” by Borgy Torre, Short Films; and “Lola” by Brilliante Mendoza, Window on Asian Cinema.

In its efforts to promote Filipino films, FDCP will put up a booth at the Asian Film Market (held from Oct. 11-14) at the SeaCloud Hotel, and another booth at the BIFCOM Location Trade Show (Oct. 12-14) at the Paradise Hotel to promote the Philippines as a location site. The FDCP is a member of the AFCNet of Asian Film Commissioners. The common thrust of the AFCNet members is to sell their respective countries as filming destinations of film and television show productions.

Ms. Digna H. Santiago, PFESO executive director, a member of the board of directors of FCNet, will attend the 3rd Board Meeting for 2009 of the AFCNet and the AFCNet General Assembly on Oct. 15.

Every year, selected filmmakers are invited to the Pusan Promotion Plan (PPP) wherein prospective film projects are “pitched” to possible funders/co-producers/distributors. This year, Lim Libiran (“Tribu”) has been chosen to participate in the PPP. He is “pitching” the film “Happyland.”

2009 PIFF Awards

Here are the 2009 PIFF Awards:
The New Currents Award, which is given to two best feature films selected from works of new Asian directors in New Currents, a competitive section of PIFF. The two films chosen by a jury composed of world famous film experts, will receive US$30,000 each.

The Flash Forward Award, newly created for this year, it will be given to the best film among those screened in a competitive section, Flash Forward. The winner will receive US$20,000.

The Asian Filmmaker of the Year which is given to those who have made important contributions to the advancement of Asian cinema during the year.

The Korean Cinema Award is given to the individuals who have made outstanding contributions in promoting Korean cinema to the world film community.

The Sonje Award, which is given to the best Korean and Asian short films in the Wide Angle section, with a cash prize of US$80,000.

PIFF Mecenat Award, to be introduced this year, is granted to the best Korean and Asian documentary films from the Wide Angle section. A cash award of US$80,000 will be given to each director for assistance in their production works.

FIPRESCI (Prize of the International Film Critics) Award is awarded yearly at PIFF to a work among rising Asian directors including those in the New Currents section for its experimental and progressive spirit.

NETPAC (Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema) Award is given to the year’s best Korean film from either New Currents or Korean Cinema Today sections. NETPAC is an international organization founded in 1990 that is devoted to the expansion of Asian film distribution and screening.

KNN (Korea New Network) Award. Voted by the audiences during the festival, this award is presented by KNN Culture Foundation to the most popular film from New Currents section and a prize of US$20,000 is awarded to its director.

By the way, with the Philippine delegation are Nestor Jardin, Mother Lily, her daughter Roselle M. Teo, Digna Santiago, Manet Dayrit, Ric Camaligan, Doy del Mundo, Raymond Red, Nick Deocampo, Arlene Aguas, Arleen Cuevas and actresses Rustica Carpio and Maria Isabel Lopez, Luz Cantos, Marinel Cruz of PDI, this writer and some others.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Oct. 12, go to Ms. Pilar Pilapil, Marissa del Mar, Seafin Pua, Malaysia-based pianist Willie Rebano, Pilar Ongking, Pilar Tanjangco, Antonio Santos, Dr. Morena Canizares, Jane Go, Noel Y. Regala, Yscalli R. Benitez, showbiz writer Pilar Mateo, Baby O. Garcia of Davao City, Wales-based Tessie Lozano-Dunn, Carl John Barrameda of Star Magic, and Saicy Aguila of “Wowowee.”