Movie director Mike Sandejas announced on Aug. 25 that his movie, “Dinig Sana Kita,” will be part of three international film festivals in the next three months.

These are the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which will run from Sept. 10 to 19 in Canada; the Hawaii International Film Festival, running from Oct. 15 to 25; and the Brussels Film Festival, which will run from Nov. 3 to 8 in Belgium.

“Dinig,” whose international title is “If I Knew What You Said,” is described by Raymond Phathanavirangoon in the TIFF website as a “breath of fresh air,” noting that Philippine independent cinema has been known for stories usually set in the slums.

Phathanavirangoon added that it is a “fun, energetic and sensitive indie teen romance that succeeds precisely because it is not afraid to wear its heart on its sleeve.”

Sandejas told Manila Bulletin Online that he would attend TIFF with his lead stars Zoe Sandejas and Romalito Mallari, both of whom he said, convincingly brought to life characters with disparate personalities and backgrounds,  unified by their love of music and need for love.

He said he’s still waiting for funding to be confirmed to ensure their attendance at the film festivals in Hawaii and Brussels.

He added that he first participated in the Hawaii International Film Festival three years ago with his debut movie, “Tulad ng Dati".

Sandejas hopes for a similarly positive reaction to “Dinig,” winner of the Audience Choice Award at the recently concluded Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival.

 But before “Dinig” goes international, it will have a theatrical run at the Robinson World’s IndieSine starting Aug. 26.

Sandejas said it got a general patronage rating from the Movies and Television Rating and Classification Board (MTRCB) which means it is suitable for viewing of all ages. 

It likewise earned kudos from actress Amalia Fuentes, who was among those who rated “Dinig,” he added.

Sandejas is also encouraged by some fans of the movie to screen “Dinig” for deaf audiences because it delves into the world of the hearing impaired and has deaf actors in its cast, including lead star Mallari.

Incidentally, TIFF also features Raya Martin’s “Independencia,” which examines the American invasion of the Philippines after Spain’s more than three centuries of colonial rule, which ended in 1898.