Film Development Council releases over 100 Filipino films online
The treasure trove includes Oscar entries, documentaries, classics, regional, LGBT- and family-theme movies.
The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) will showcase over 100 films in the 4th Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP), which will have its first online edition from Oct. 31 to Nov. 15 at the agency’s new FDCP Online Channel.
The PPP4 is an FDCP-led omnibus project featuring titles from local film festivals like the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, QCinema International Film Festival, Cinema One Originals Film Festival, Sinag Maynila Film Festival, CineFilipino Film Festival, ToFarm Film Festival, and Metro Manila Film Festival as well as from various producers and regional film festivals, a PPP Retrospective, the Lab portion of the Sine Kabataan Short Film Competition, and the CineMarya Women’s Film Festival.
“This year’s PPP is a solidarity event that aims to encourage support for Philippine cinema in light of the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to propagate the love for Filipino films among audiences and help sustain the country’s film industry that is gravely affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The FDCP is glad to announce that all proceeds will be given to producers involved in the festival through revenue sharing,” said FDCP chairperson and CEO Liza Diño.
PPP4 Festival Lineup
PPP4 features the following sections: Premium, Classics, PH Oscars Entries, Tributes, Romance, Youth and Family, Genre, Bahaghari, PPP Retro, Documentary, and From the Regions, along with Sine Kabataan and CineMarya.
A partial list was provided by the national film agency when the PPP Early Bird Rate Festival Pass was made available from Sept. 30 to Oct. 15.
The Premium section will feature films that had limited release or have never been released to the Philippine audience.
The Classics section will screen cinematic gems by National Artists for Film, with the first three being restored films by the FDCP’s Philippine Film Archive: White Slavery by Lino Brocka, Genghis Khan by Manuel Conde, Manila by Night by Ishmael Bernal, Balikbayan #1: Memories of Overdevelopment Redux VI by Kidlat Tahimik, Ang Panday by Fernando Poe, Jr.
PH Oscars Entries include critically acclaimed films that were submitted by the Philippines to the Academy Awards Best Foreign Language Film race: Ma’ Rosa by Brillante Mendoza, Verdict by Raymund Ribay Gutierrez, Sa Pusod ng Dagat by Marilou Diaz-Abaya, Saranggola by Gil Portes
Tributes section pays homage to departed screen legends and industry pillars: Death Row by Joel Lamangan (for Eddie Garcia), Adela by Adolfo Alix, Jr. (for Anita Linda), Insiang by Lino Brocka (for Mona Lisa), Muro-Ami by Marilou Diaz-Abaya (for Marilou Diaz-Abaya), Filipinas by Joel Lamangan (for Armida Siguion-Reyna), Sonata by Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes (for Peque Gallaga)
The Romance section provides the kilig factor that is a surefire hit among Filipino audiences; Sakaling Hindi Makarating by Ice Idanan, Moments of Love by Mark Reyes, Ulan by Irene Villamor, Never Not Love You by Antoinette Jadaone, Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw by Joyce Bernal, Una Kang Naging Akin by Laurice Guillen, Mga Mister ni Rosario by Alpha Habon.
Films with lighthearted or heartwarming stories are part of the Youth and Family section: Pepot Artista by Clodualdo del Mundo, Jr., Family History by Michael V., 1st Sem by Dexter Hemedez and Allan Ibañez, Edward by Thop Nazareno, Dayo by Robert Quilao.
In the Genre section, there are action, horror, drama, mystery, thriller, science fiction, and historical biopic films: Alpha: The Right to Kill by Brillante Mendoza, Instalado by Jason Paul Laxamana, Abomination by Yam Laranas, Dyamper by Wes de Guzman, Jose Rizal by Marilou Diaz-Abaya, El Presidente by Mark Meily, In Nomine Matris by Wilfredo Manalang.
The Bahaghari section features at least five LGBT-themed films: Akin ang Korona by Zig Dulay, Billie and Emma by Samantha Lee, Ned’s Project by Lemuel Lorca, Ang Huling Cha Cha ni Anita by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo, Rainbow’s Sunset by Joel Lamangan.
It’s a walk down memory lane in PPP Retro as this section contains past PPP entries: Pauwi Na by Paolo Villaluna, Gusto Kita with All My Hypothalamus by Dwein Baltazar, Star na si Van Damme Stallone by Randolph Longjas, Paglipay by Zig Dulay, Circa by Adolfo Alix, Jr.
In line with FDCP's goal to push for more opportunities for Filipino documentary filmmaking, a Documentary section is included in this year's edition of PPP: Nick and Chai by Cha Escala and Wena Sanchez, Lugta Ke Tamama (Land from God) by Kevin Piamonte, The Search for Weng-Weng, by Andrew Leavold, God Bliss our Home by Nawruz Paguidopon, Carving Thy Faith by Hiyas Bagabaldo.
In the From The Regions section, feature-length films show indigenous stories and unique narratives from various parts of the country: Tanabata’s Wife by Charlson Ong, Ang Daan Patungong Kalimugtong by Mes de Guzman, Baboy Halas (Wailings in the Forest) by Bagane Fiola, Tu Pug Imatuy by Arbi Barbarona, Magkakabaung by Jason Paul Laxamana, Ari: My Life with a King by Carlo Catu, Salvi: Ang Pagpadayon by TM Malones.
For this year’s edition of Sine Kabataan, the youth-oriented filmmaking competition is focusing on project development where the selected stories and concepts will undergo a Project Lab during PPP.
At the end of the lab, projects will be pitched and the winning stories will receive a production grant to push through with their projects. For the PPP screening, Sine Kabataan short films from earlier editions will be featured, including the following: Sa Unang Araw ng Pasukan by Arjen Manlapig, Bato Bato Pik by Lorys Plaza and Jaq Sanque, Kalakalaro by Rodson Suarez.
Finally, the FDCP’s CineMarya, in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and Philippine Commission on Women, gets its own PPP section this year.
The final 12 CineMarya short films will be premiered during PPP4: Daadaan Na (Her Walks) by Julius Legoen Lumiqued, Super-Able by Arjanmar H. Rebeta, Night Shift (Reverie) (Loud Voices) by Mariel Joy S. Ong, Dalaginding na si Isang by Kristinne Nigel Cenosin Santos, Noontime Drama (Tanghaling Tapat) by Kim Rivera Timan, She’s Perfect by Jochelle Casilad, Hakab by Mel Rose Aguilar, Super Woman by Angela Francesca V. Andres, Winged Dreams to the Blue Heavens by Maria Ena Aimee Lourdes Apostol Escasa, Binakol sa Dahon by Gary T. Tabanera, Ola by Mijan Jumalon, Adira by Jorzheema Hamid.
PPP4 offers several festival subscription options such as the Full Run Pass (P599) that grants a 16-day access to the Premium Selection films and events, free content, free panel sessions/workshops, calendar, and trailers.
The Half Run Pass (PHP 299) provides access to the short films library and full-length scheduled screenings for eight consecutive days while the Day Pass (P99) gives access to the short films library and full-length scheduled screenings for one day.
The Early Bird Rate for the Full Run Pass, priced at PHP 450, is available until October 15. There is also a Free Pass that provides access to the calendar and free content. Beginning October 16, senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) can avail of a 20% discount while students will get to enjoy a 30% discount.
The FDCP announced that additional titles in the PPP4 lineup will be revealed in the coming days. Watch out for updates on more film titles and other events lined up in the first online edition of the PPP.
For updates and more information, visit FDCPchannel.ph and its Facebook page.