VISIONS OF PHILIPPINE CINEMA

FDCP SINENG PAMBANSA LAUNCHES NATIONAL FILM COMPETITION

Do you have a story in your mind that can be made into a compelling film?

If you want to join the growing ranks of the country’s young and dynamic filmmakers, many of whom have won national and international awards, now is your chance.

The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) has launched the first National Film Competition which will reward the best screenplays submitted by aspiring directors and scriptwriters across the country with substantial seed money to translate their stories into quality films for local and even foreign exhibition.

The FDCP’s mandate is to promote the growth and development of the Philippine movie industry, spread awareness and appreciation for Philippine culture and history through film, and revitalize the Philippine movie industry by creating new opportunities for aspiring filmmakers as well as generating a bigger audience for Philippine cinema by bringing Filipino films to Filipino communities everywhere.

The nationwide scriptwriting and film competition seeks to highlight our outstanding film culture, while unifying the many diverse visions, views and voices of Filipino filmmakers across the country. The announcement of winners and awarding of prizes will be held either in Davao City or Cebu City in May 2012.

HIGHLIGHTS OF COMPETITION GUIDELINES:

• Open to Filipinos who have not written or co-written, directed or co-directed more than three films, documentaries or animated features.

• Three Categories:
o Feature Film Competition
o Full-Length Documentary
o Animated Short Film Competition

• Three Divisions in the Feature Film Competition and Full-Length Documentary Competition
o Luzon Division
o Visayas Division
o Mindanao Division

• National competition for animation
• Geographically oriented using language/dialect indigenous to setting
• Deadline for submission of screenplay is midnight of November 15, 2011
• Finalists announced December 20, 2011
• Filming starts January 2012 and final submission of films on April 30, 2012
• Festival in May 2012 at Davao City.
• Detailed guidelines at www.fdcp.ph
• Forms can be downloaded from www.fdcp.ph or are available at FDCP Makati Office

For the complete set of rules and guidelines of the National Film Competition and application forms, please visit our website: www.fdcp.ph, or email us at: natcom@fdcp.ph (FDCP Media Desk)

THE SINULOG 201 SHORT FILM FESTIVAL

Sinulog Foundation,Inc.
in cooperation with:
Cebu City Government
&
Cebu’s Film Society

Presents

The Sinulog 2011 Short Film Festival

The 7th Annual Sinulog Video Documentary and Short Film Competition is on! As we celebrate another season of fervent praises to the Sr. Sto. Niño! Whether documenting the Annual Sinulog Celebration or presenting a story of the power of the Holy Child Jesus, thru film or video, you can tell us your point of view! Share your created story or an actual personal experience of the miraculous power of the Señor Sto. Niño and how it has affected and changed your life! You, too, can be an instrument in changing this nation and the world! Touch other people’s lives! Just do it now! Join us as we once again shout out loud the theme that makes the big difference:

3 of 3 File(s)
2011SinulogSFFestGuidelines
2011SSFFRegistration
2011SFF.Criteria.doc

RINDIDO

OMBRE

Phylum Productions presents
an intriguing bromantic love story...

“OMBRE "

OMBRE tells the story of Jake, an aspiring actor who went to Baguio City for a reality star search audition. There, he meets Dennis, a photographer from Manila. Both stay in a transient house owned by Dennis’ gay best friend, Brix.

Jake is a dreamer.

Dennis is a searcher who just got out of rehab.

They became friends and secret lovers. While both of them have special someone waiting back in Manila, it becomes clear that there’s a bond between them that they’ve never felt with other people, and this feeling begins to grow into something deeper.

Is this LOVE?

OMBRE is written and directed by Jonison Fontanos and stars Zac Ferrero, Darwin Taylo, Jobben Bello, Lando Perez, G.A Villafuerte, Tin Gonzalez, Kimjee Abad with Ms. Jef Gaitan (Survivor Philippines Palau finalist).

Dreams, destiny and love, in forms not known to many, come together in this full-length independent film, pre-slated to be shown early next year, 2011.

ANIMAHENASYON 2010 WINNERS

Animahenasyon 2010 Winners

Grand Prize Winner: When Alma Died by Richmond Wesley Tan

Professional Division:
Best Animation - Category A (1-5 minutes) – SMOG by Jerome Alcordo
Best Animation - Category B (6-20 minutes) – MGA DAMGO (DREAMS) by Remton Siega Zuasola
Best Animation - Category C (21-40 minutes) – No entry
Best Animation - Category D (Full-length animated feature) – KAPITAN TORPE by Antonio Jose Cadiz
Best Animation - Category E (Music video) – No winner
Best Animation - Category F (TVC/OBB/demo reel) – PASINTABI OBB by Jeff Capili
Best Animation - Category G (TV series) – No entry

Student/Amateur Division:
Best Animation - Category H (1-5 minutes) – WHEN ALMA DIED by Richmond Wesley Tan
Best Animation - Category I (6-20 minutes) – THE MYSTERY OF THE 24TH by Julian Carmelo Santiago
Best Animation - Category J (21-40 minutes) – No entry
Best Animation - Category K (Music video) – UPUAN by Mavreen Anne Romero
Best Animation - Category L (TVC/OBB/demo reel) – CLOSE-UP TOOTHPASTE by Marcelo William Muñoz

Special Jury Prize
WASTELAND by Eleanor Ramos in cooperation with Sarimanok News Network, Inc.

Best Regional Entry
SULUNDON (Hero) by Jerome Alcordo and Ionone Bangcas of BouncingBall, Inc. from Cebu

Hero TV's Choice
MGA DAMGO (DREAMS) by Remton Siega Zuasola
Hero's Choice Award is given to the entry that exhibits the theme "Finding the Hero Within." Winner is given a special feature of the work and an interview of the producer.

Lifetime Achievement Awardee
ROQUE FEDERIZON LEE
for his significant contributions and outstanding original body of work that helped shaped the development of Philippine independent film animation, for promoting, instilling and integrating Filipino culture in his work, for continually demonstrating and setting aesthetic excellence in his craft, and for all his artistic endeavors and unwavering effort in keeping the creative industry alive in the country.

The Secretariat
Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc.
9th Floor, The Palisades Condominium
107 Perea Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City
+632-8172727 loc. 108
+632-4839501

CINEPAMBATA FILM FESTIVAL 2010

CHICAGO FILIPINO AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL 2010 CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

The Chicago Filipino American Film Festival is now accepting entries for its 2010 Program.
The Chicago Filipino American Film Festival features feature films and short works in the following categories:

-Feature-length Narrative
-Documentary (Feature Length)
-Short (Narrative or Experimental)
-Documentary (Short)
-Music Video

The Chicago Filipino American Film Festival invites all films made by, for, or about people of Filipino descent. Qualifying films will include, but not be limited to:

-Works featuring the talents of directors, performers, writers, and other filmmakers of Filipino descent from the United States, the Philippines, and throughout the world.

-Stories, characters, and themes about Filipinos, Filipino Americans, and others of Filipino descent.

-Issues and topics relevant to audiences of Filipino descent.

For entry form and shipping information, please visit www.cfaff.org or download our entry form here.

THE 8TH WORLD FILM FESTIVAL OF BANGKOK

The 8th World Film Festival of Bangkok
5 - 14 November, 2010
Paragon Cineplex and Major Cineplex Sukhumvit (Ekamai)
"Emotions Unleashed"

The 8th World Film Festival of Bangkok introduces around 150 movies from around the world. French post-New-Wave director Jacques Doillon and Turkish director Nuri Bilge Ceylan will attend the festival. The Thai indie film "Eternity" ("Tee Rak") will be the opener.

Kriengsak "Victor" Silakong, director of the World Film Festival of Bangkok (WFFBKK), says the movies will be shown in nine sections: Asian Contemporary; Cinema Beat; Cine Latino; Doc Feast; Short Wave; Guts Nouveau; Music & Dance A la Carte, New Turkish Cinema and Retrospective.

There are several "must-see" movies in the festival, including "Insects in the Backyard", the debut feature by indie director Tanwarin Sukhapisit, which premiered at the Vancouver International Film Festival. It'll make its Thai premiere at the WFFBKK.

Others are "Red Dragonflies" from Singapore, which has been awarded at many film festivals; "The Well", a coming-of-age drama from India; "Au Revoir Taipei", a new romantic comedy from Taiwan; "Cold Water of the Sea" from Costa Rica, which won a Tiger Award at this year's International Film Festival Rotterdam; "The Famous and the Dead", a new teenage flick from Brazil; "Curling" from Canada, winner of two awards at the Locarno film festival this year; and "A Film Unfinished", Yael Hersonski's powerful documentary that portrays people behind and before the camera in the Warsaw Ghetto during Nazi occupation in World War II.

The opening film "Eternity" ("Tee Rak") by Sivaroj Kongsakul, represents the new blood of Thai independent cinema. His first feature explores the three stages of a man's life, from his romance as a young man to the woman who will be his wife, then as a ghost wandering his childhood home and finally as a void in the lives of those he left behind. It's a tribute to his father, who died when Sivaroj was a child.

Sivaroj is well known in Thailand's independent cinema scene. His short films "Always" and "Silencio" have won prizes in various film festivals. He has worked as an assistant director for Aditya Assarat, Pen-Ek Ratanaruang and Wisit Sasanatieng. "Eternity" ("Tee Rak") premiered in the New Currents competition at the 2010 Pusan International Film Festival, and the World Film Festival of Bangkok hosts the movie's Thai premiere.

The festival's prestigious Lotus Award this year will be given to Nuri Bilge Ceylan, one of the most important filmmakers from Turkey. We are thrilled to have him in person and meet the audience on the opening night and for the screening of "Three Monkeys".

The opening ceremony of the 8th World Film Festival of Bangkok will be held in the Infinity Hall of Paragon Cineplex on 5 November, 2010, at 6pm.

French director Jacques Doillon will be praised in the Retrospective section. He will attend the festival to present five of his movies: "Touched in the Head" (1974), "The Little Gangster" (1990), "Ponette" (1996), "Just Anybody" (2008), "The Three Way Wedding" (2010) and one documentary about his life and works: "Jacques Doillon – Words and Emotion" (1998) by Anne Brochet and Françoise Dumas. This is a rare chance for Bangkok audiences to watch Doillon's films and meet the director.

With support from the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Tourism of Turkey and Turkish Airlines, the festival presents New Turkish Cinema, a section that focuses on five outstanding contemporary Turkish films: "Envy" by Zeki Demirkubuz, "Kosmos" by Reha Erdem , "Vavien" by Durul Taylan and Yagmur Taylan, "Wrong Rosary" by Mahmut Fazil Coskun and "Honey" by Semih Klaplanoglu.

Another exciting part of the WFFBKK is the poster competition. We received so many great poster designs and many of them are full of creative ideas.

As with past years, the closing celebration will have a "Celebrity Look Alike" competition. This year, with generous support by Thai Life Insurance Co., Ltd., we are going with the special theme "Vampire Party". Get ready for the fun on 13 November, 2010, from 6pm onward.

The 8th World Film Festival of Bangkok is co-organised by The Office of Contemporary Art and Culture, the Ministry of Culture, The Nation, Major Cineplex Group Plc, Paragon Cineplex, Nation Broadcasting Corporation and Mango TV. It is supported by Singha Corporation Co., Ltd., Thai Life Insurance Co., Ltd., FedEx Express and Turkish Airlines, with the cooperation of the foreign embassies in Thailand and special cooperation of The Embassy of Turkey, The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand, The Embassy of France, The Embassy of Brazil, The Embassy of Switzerland, The Embassy of India, The Embassy of Peru, The Embassy of Israel and The Embassy of Portugal. Other media supporters include Happening Magazine, Bioscope Magazine and Music & Art Magazine.

The 8th World Film Festival of Bangkok will be held at Paragon Cineplex and Major Cineplex Sukhumvit (Ekamai) from 5 to 14 November, 2010. Tickets are Bt100 and Bt50 for students. For more information please check out www.WorldFilmBKK.com.

THE 2010 CALABARZON FILM FESTIVAL

The revised and updated rules and regulations for submission of entries:

1. All entries should be original. It is encouraged that the filmmaker use original music for their films, but if this is not the case, she or he should secure permission to use copyrighted materials appearing in the film.

2. The filmmaker/s should be residents of any of Calabarzon provinces namely, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon. Filmmaker should submit proof of residence (cedula, ID indicating address, barangay clearance, etc.).

3. The film should be made in 2010 and should showcase the region’s culture and heritage, specifically that of the filmmaker’s province.

4. Entries should be a short film. All film genres (e.g. narrative, documentary, experimental, animation) are accepted. Running time should at least be five minutes but should not exceed 20 minutes. Longer films may be considered for valid reasons but should not exceed 60 minutes.

5. A filmmaker may submit more than one entry, but there is no guarantee that all will be screened. A shortlist of finalists will be released a few weeks after the deadline.

6. The film should have English subtitles in consideration of foreign audience.

7. Filmmaker should submit duly accomplished submission form, one (1) DVD format and one (1) AVI file of the film, trailer in AVI format, and poster in CD form.

8. Shortlisted filmmakers should attend the three-day film festival on Dec. 9-11 at UP Los Baños

9. The organizers reserve the right not to show the film deemed unsuitable for general patronage. Filmmaker should notify the organizers if the film contains explicit language and images.

10. Winners will receive cash prizes and certificate of participation. The winning film has the chance to be screened in NCCA’s Cinemarehiyon 2011 in Davao City.

11. All entries should be received on or before Nov. 6.

Submission forms could still be downloaded here: http://www.mediafire.com/?90cmbay9zxytkbb

For inquiries, don't hesitate to email us at pelikulab@gmail.com or contact 0916.375.1339.

BUSAN BIDS TO BECOME HUB 0F ASIAN FILM WORLD

By Agence France-Presse, Updated: 10/16/2010
Busan bids to become hub of Asian film world

Asia's largest film festival signed off this week with a promise to make the South Korean port city of Busan not only the hub of Korean cinema but of the entire region.


Busan bids to become hub of Asian film world

The 15th Pusan International Film Festival closed with a glittering ceremony Friday night at the Haeundae Yachting Centre and a world premiere screening of the three-part production "Camellia".

The joint effort by Thai director Wisit Sasanatieng, South Koreas Jang Joon-Hwan and Japan's Isao Yukisada pays homage to Busan and was put together under the eye of veteran festival director Kim Dong-Ho, who now retires from his post after 15 years in charge.

It was a fitting way to bring the curtain down on the latest edition of a festival which grew from humble beginnings to become the premier cinematic gathering in the region -- providing a window into Asian independent film.

Kim said the challenge ahead was to establish Busan as the centre of the Asian film world. The inauguration next year of the 133 million dollar Dureraum, or Busan Film Centre, will go some way toward achieving that goal.

But the festival will miss the guidance of the 73-year-old Kim, who has been credited with helping introduce a generation of Asian filmmakers -- from Park Chan-Wook ("Old Boy") to Bong Joon-Ho ("Mother") -- to the rest of the world.

"Next year we move physically into a new facility and psychologically Mr Kim is not going to be with us, but we will hold on to traces of Mr Kim and try to move the festival forward," said co-director Lee Yong-Kwan.


South Korean films dominated the festival's awards this year.

Park Jung-Bums "The Journals of Musan" and Yoon Sung-Hyuns "Bleak Night" -- both mature, measured looks at aspects of modern Korean society -- took the two 30,000 dollar prizes awarded in the main New Currents section for first or second time Asian directors.

They showed the depth of talent in independent Korean cinema, while audiences, including representatives of the international film industry, were also given a taste of the mainstream films which have recently been drawing crowds across South Korea.

Director Lee Jeong-Beom's ultra-violent thriller "The Man from Nowhere" -- second only to the Hollywood blockbuster "Avatar" at the Korean box office this year -- proved a hit for visitors to the country. So did Kim Jee-Woons blood-splattered "I Saw the Devil".

Outside of films from the host country, China came to Busan with a mixture of small, independent films and blockbusters and showed just why box office receipts in that country are spiralling upwards.

The China Film Producers Association has estimated that by 2015 China will be ranked second behind the United States in terms of box office turnover.

Receipts by then are predicted to reach close to five billion dollars, and its a fair guess to think that local cinema will take a share of those riches.

Director Li Weirans madcap but socially aware comedy "Welcome to Sharma Town" was a hit with fans and critics alike.

And international visitors who for the first time saw Feng Xiaogangs earthquake-themed actioner "Aftershock" -- Chinas all-time box office leader with receipts of 98.9 million dollars -- were left suitably impressed.

The festivals special sections were also well received.

They included a revealing look at work by Kurdish filmmakers, while "A Window on Asian Cinema" featured some regional gems, such as Japanese maverick Takashi Miikes take on the samurai genre, "Thirteen Assassins".

"Twenty years ago in the film world it was Hollywood, Europe and the rest of the world. Now its Hollywood, Asia and the rest," said noted film scholar Thomas Elsaesser, in Busan as part of the jury for the Flash Forward award for first or second time non-Asian directors.

That awards 20,000 dollar first prize was won by the Swedish director Lisa Langseths "Pure", which features a haunting performance from Alicia Vikander as a young woman whose life is changed after she witnesses a performance of Mozarts "Requiem".

A total of 306 films were screened over the festivals 10 days, with 101 of them being world premieres.

Organizers reported that 182,046 people turned up to watch them -- and to attend the beachside talks with international stars such as Hollywoods Willem Dafoe and French star Juliette Binoche as well as local heartthrob Won Bin.

At the 5th Asian Film Market, which runs concurrently with the main festival, business was reported to be brisk rather than brilliant.

Most of the sales for distribution of films such as Chinese director Tsui Harks actioner "Director Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame" - currently the Chinese box office champ -- were to other Asian markets and to Europe rather than to the United States.

But more deals are expected to be signed when the film festival circuit moves to events in Tokyo (October 23-31) and the American Film Market (November 3-10).

However, there were reminders that cinema isn't always simply about business at the box office.

"For me this festival is famous around the world for supporting young, independent filmmakers," said Iraqi director Mohamed Al-Daradji, whos "Son of Babylon" screened as part of the "A Window on Asian Cinema" section.

The film is Iraq's official Oscar submission for the 2011 awards.

"It is a thrill for us to come here and to find an audience and a festival that is just so supportive of what young filmmakers are trying to do," he said.

COPPOLA WINS VENICE FILMFEST’S GOLDEN LION

By Agence France-Presse, Updated: 9/12/2010

Coppola wins Venice filmfest's Golden Lion

US director Sofia Coppola won the Golden Lion at the Venice film festival for "Somewhere", a father-daughter drama set in the lonely world of Hollywood moviemaking.

Coppola wins Venice filmfest's Golden Lion

From that first enchanted screening it grew and grew in our hearts, in our minds, in our affections," said jury president Quentin Tarantino, Coppola's former boyfriend, as he announced the top prize, adding that the decision had been unanimous.

The Silver Lion for best director went to Alex de la Iglesia of Spain for his dark comedy "A Sad Trumpet Ballad", a love triangle in a zany circus setting which the director said was an attempt to "exorcise" the enduring pain of the Spanish Civil War.

Jerzy Skolimowski's "Essential Killing" about an American Taliban who is captured in Afghanistan, "rendered" to Poland, then escapes into an endurance test in snowy mountains, won the special jury prize as well as a best actor award for Vincent Gallo.

Tarantino also announced a "Special Lion" for cult director Monte Hellman, who was in Venice with "Road to Nowhere", a complex romantic noir thriller.

The veteran US director, 78, was the executive director of Tarantino's debut film, the 1992 crime flick "Reservoir Dogs".

"This director is both a great cinematic artist and a minimalist poet," Tarantino said of Hellman. "His work was an inspiration to this jury and it is our honour to honour him."

The jury at the world's oldest film festival also included fellow directors Arnaud Desplechin of France, Guillermo Arriaga of Mexico and Italian Gabriele Salvatores.

"Somewhere", which reflects the peculiar desolation of the Hollywood lifestyle, is about A-list actor Johnny Marco (Stephen Dorff) and his daughter Cleo (12-year-old Elle Fanning), adrift in the lonely world of Hollywood moviemaking.

"I try to put myself in all the characters that I write," the 39-year-old Oscar winner for "Lost in Translation" told a news conference after accepting the award.

Among the people she thanked was her father Francis Ford Coppola, "for teaching me".

Iglesia, 44, said ahead of the screening of "A Sad Trumpet Ballad" that it was "an exorcism of anguish through humour, irony, comedy mixed with the noir genre so everything can have a proper burial."

The Spanish director, whose 1995 horror comedy "The Day of the Beast" won cult status in his homeland, added: "This is a love story, a crazy, ruthless, wild kind of love. The anxiety and the search for revenge lead to the destruction of the object of love."

On Saturday he said: "The trick is how best to mix the elements."

An award for best photography went to Mikhail Krichman in the film "Silent Souls" by Russia's Aleksei Fedorchenko, the tender story of a member of Russia's vanished Merya minority who drives thousands of miles to bury his wife in a sacred lake according to ancient pagan rituals.

The visual and lyrical feast for the senses paints a compelling portrait of a people long ago assimilated into Russia's Slavic mainstream who nevertheless retain their myths and traditions.

Ariane Labed of France won a best actress award for her role in the experimental film "Attenberg" by Athina Rachel Tsangari of Greece.

Darren Aronofsky's "Black Swan" garnered the Marcello Mastroianni prize for best young actress for the performance of Mila Kunis, 27, the duplicitous friend of an ambitious but psychologically tormented prima ballerina played by Natalie Portman.

Twenty-four films competed in the Mostra, which screened 79 full-length world premieres from 34 countries all together over 11 days.

PUSAN FILM FESTIVAL TO OFFER RECORD NUMBER OF PREMIERES

By Agence France-Presse, Updated: 9/7/2010

Pusan film festival to offer record number of premieres

One of Asia's most prestigious film festivals will feature a record number of world premieres when it gets under way next month for a 15th year, organisers said Tuesday.

Pusan film festival to offer record number of premieres

The Pusan International Film Festival, to be held in South Korea's southern city of Busan from October 7-15, will feature 308 movies from 67 countries.

Organisers said 103 films would have their first public screening at the festival, which focuses on discovering new movies and first-time directors from across Asia.

Another 52 films which were only previously screened in their countries of origin would make their international debut in Busan.

"Under the Hawthorn Tree", a Chinese film directed by Zhang Yimou, who also directed the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, will open the festival.

It will close with "Camellia", an omnibus film of three separate short pieces about the city of Busan directed by Wisit Sasanatieng of Thailand, Isao Yukisada of Japan and Jang Jun-Hwan of South Korea.

"This year is for discovering new directors who will lead the future of the film industry. This will provide an opportunity for the films to become more contemporary and more revolutionary," organisers said in a statement.

The Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami will lead an education programme for young aspiring filmmakers from 16 countries. His "Certified Copy" earned its lead actress Juliette Binoche the Best Actress award at this year's Cannes Film Festival.

Invited guests include French actress Binoche, British actress Jane March, Tang Wei of China, Japanese actress Miyazaki Aoi and directors such as Oliver Stone of the United States, Spain's Carlos Saura and Ann Hui of Hong Kong.

The festival will also include a forum on the illegal distribution of movies over the Internet, which is severely damaging the industry.

Taiwanese director Tsai Ming Liang has been chosen as Asian Filmmaker of the Year for his work in pioneering unexplored areas that overcome the limitations of the art film industry.

VENICE FILM FEST FIGHTS ITS CORNER AS CRISIS BITES

Venice film fest fights its corner as crisis bites (Reuters)
Source: Reuters Tue Sep 07, 2010, 6:38 am EDT

VENICE (Reuters) - A dearth of big Hollywood stars, Venice's notoriously high costs, fierce competition from Toronto -- this year's film festival on the Lido is fighting to keep its place on the map as one of cinema's most prestigious events.

The venue itself is a building site, with completion of the long-delayed new Palazzo del Cinema -- its main screening theater -- now not expected until 2012.

On the waterfront, the legendary Hotel Des Bains where Thomas Mann set his "Death in Venice" classic -- and Luchino Visconti shot its famous film adaptation -- is shut, and work is under way to convert it into luxury apartments.

With the recent financial crisis still biting, and both the industry and media in cost-cutting mode, the Mostra del Cinema is feeling the heat from the Toronto festival, which overlaps with Venice and is showing many of the same films.

Its location in North America, lower costs and the presence of so many deal-making industry executives all make Toronto a tempting and cheaper alternative for studios keen to showcase their films as the unofficial cinema awards race gets underway.

"For American stars it's just a lot easier to go to Toronto, and for producers it's a matter of money -- it costs a third of what Venice does or less," said Natalia Aspesi, a veteran critic for Italian daily La Repubblica.

As the festival, the world's oldest, hits the half-way mark ahead of the awards ceremony on Saturday, most film watchers agree this year's line-up on the Lido is strong but may lack the defining masterpiece that makes for a vintage year.

Films tipped to bag the top Golden Lion prize include China's "The Ditch," a hard-hitting look at the fate of political prisoners condemned to forced labor camps in 1960.

Another critics' favorite is "Essential Killing," with Vincent Gallo starring as a suspected Taliban fighter on the run from U.S. forces -- and not uttering a single word throughout the film.

Outside the competition, Casey Affleck's documentary on Joaquin Phoenix and his transition from acclaimed actor to shambolic hip-hop wannabe -- whether a hoax or not -- captivated viewers and kept media attention high.

Still, directors like Clint Eastwood, Robert Redford and Danny Boyle have all opted to premiere their latest films in Toronto, whose own movie showcase kicks off on September 9.

Marco Mueller, the respected chief of the 12-million euro Venice festival, has put on a brave face, insisting he believes the two events could continue to exist side-by-side.

"I'm convinced that Venice is still strong," he told Reuters, adding that "the visibility, the impact of a film is created here and the market potential of the film is then completely assessed only in Toronto."

He is also keen to point out that he deemed some films screening in Toronto just not good enough for Venice, especially when they come with strings attached by the studios. For example, he turned down "The American," with George Clooney, which producers wanted to open his festival.

Instead Mueller opted for youth -- the average age of directors in the main competition is an unusually low 47 -- and Hollywood misfits rather than A-listers this year.

Stars on the Lido red carpet, vital to feed the media buzz around a festival, have so far included Natalie Portman, Catherine Deneuve and Quentin Tarantino -- but that is a far cry from celebrity-studded editions seen in the past.

"Toronto is becoming more aggressive and it is a great launching pad for North America. Now they've also started getting a higher profile internationally, and that has to be a concern for Venice," said a publicist who asked not to be named.

"Still, the Biennale has been around a long time and if they can get their politics right then I think Venice still has a future. But they need to react to a changing landscape and increasing competition," he said.

THE 63RD EDITION OF THE FESTIVAL DEL FILM LOCARNO

Festival del film Locarno
15.08.2010 Olivier Père’s first edition concluded

The 63rd edition of the Festival del film Locarno, the first under the French new Artistic Director Olivier Père, concluded on Saturday August 14. Rain meant that the closing ceremony had to be transferred indoor to the Auditorium Fevi, rather than its traditional home on the Piazza Grande.

The Pardo d’oro 2010 (Golden Leopard) went to the Chinese film Han Jia (Winter Vacation) by LI Hongqi – whose project participated in the Festival’s Open Doors coproduction lab last year. World rights for the film have been bought during the Festival by French distributor Capricci Films.

The total number of spectators for the 63rd Festival is of 148,436 (compared to 157,057 in 2009). This decrease was naturally mainly caused by the Piazza Grande results (52,300 spectators, compared to 58,100 in 2009), which were affected by four nights of rain or cold weather. Nevertheless, those numbers will be object of a detailed analysis by the Festival’s Directorship. The Festival registered an excellent attendance in the theatres, with stable results despite the substantial reduction in the number of films (280 in this year’s programme compared to 397 in 2009) and one less screen (Cinema Otello). And the Festival once again drew a large number of film professionals this year, a total of 3852 delegates, of whom 900 were « industry » accredited and 875 journalists from all over the world.

In terms of programming, the 63rd edition was marked by youth: from the filmmakers, actors, and members of the various juries to the directors and protagonists of the films in the official selection, which featured no less than 22 first films and premières, and by strongly affecting evenings on the Piazza Grande with such honoured guests as filmmakers JIA Zhang-ke and Alain Tanner (both recipients of the Pardo d’onore Swisscom 2010), filmmaker Francesco Rosi (Career Pardo), producer Menahem Golan (the Raimondo Rezzonico Prize for Best Independent Producer) and actors Chiara Mastroianni (Excellence Award Moët & Chandon) and John C.Reilly. Other notable hits were seen in the crowds flocking to the retrospective of that master of comedy Ernst Lubitsch, and sell-outs for short films in the 20th anniversary of the «Pardi di domani» section. The 2010 edition also had a big success with its new initiatives, such as the Industry Days – three days of screenings and meetings for professionals – and the Locarno Summer Academy – a new training programme for students and young film professionals.

Photos and videos from the 63rd Festival are all viewable here.

The 64th edition of the Festival del film Locarno will take place August 3 – 13, 2011.

CHINA, SOUTH KOREA SWEEP ASIAN FILM AWARDS

By Agence France-Presse, Updated: 3/22/2010

China, South Korea sweep Asian film awards

China and South Korea blitzed the Asian Film Awards this year, dominating top honours including best picture, best actor and best actress at the ceremony in Hong Kong Monday.

"Mother", a South Korean mystery thriller about a woman's quest to prove the innocence of her mentally incapacitated son by taking it upon herself to investigate the murder of a teenage girl, grabbed the best film award.

Producer Moon Yang-kwon said after the ceremony that it was a very challenging film to shoot.

"It's very tough. But I decided to make the film because I felt very touched after reading the script," he told reporters.

"Every one of us has a mother. The film illustrates very well the way children feel towards their mothers and vice versa."

Kim Hye-ja, who played the mother, beat China's Li Bingbing and Japan's Matsu Takako to the best actress award.

Chinese director Lu Chuan won the best director award for his feature film "City of Life and Death", which tackles the Nanjing Massacre in 1937, where hundreds of thousands of Chinese civilians were killed by Japanese soldiers.

Lu said the biggest challenge in making the film was to conquer his fear of death.

"I was really afraid of dying. But I had to learn to face death and tried to express it every day during the production period."

Wang Xueqi from mainland China won the best actor award for starring in "Bodyguards and Assassins" as a businessman who provided financial aid for the revolutionary movement led by Sun Yat-sen, Father of China, in the early 20th century.

"Raise the Red Lantern" director Zhang Yimou won the prize for outstanding contribution to Asian cinema.

Zhang, whose films catapulted mainland Chinese actresses Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi into internationally acclaimed star status, said his hopes were pinned on the new generation of Asian directors.

The prize for top-grossing film director for 2009 went to action supremo John Woo for Red Cliff, which is also reportedly the highest-grossing Chinese-language film in Chinese film history.

Woo, originally from Hong Kong, is best known for directing Hollywood blockbuster "Mission: Impossible II".

Veteran Indian film producer and actor Amitabh Bachchan, dubbed the "Godfather of Bollywood", was given the lifetime achievement award.

"In a world that is fast disintegrating, I believe cinema is one medium that brings all of us together in love, in friendship, and in cooperation, " said Bachchan.

Hong Kong singer-cum-actor Nicholas Tse was crowned best supporting actor for his role in "Bodyguards and Assassins." Tse starred as a rickshaw puller who sacrificed himself to protect Sun Yat-sen from assassins.

Best supporting actress went to Hong Kong television veteran Wai Ying-hung, for playing an emotionally disturbed single mother in "At the End of Daybreak", a joint production between Hong Kong, South Korea, and Malaysia.

Ng Meng-hui was named best newcomer in the same film for playing an innocent teenage girl.

The Asian Film Festival, held annually since 2007, is aimed at showcasing the region's movie talent. The awards were dominated by South Korea in its first two years, but Japan stole the show last year.

Thirty-seven films vied for 14 prizes this year.

2ND PAMBUJAN FILM FESTIVAL

Calling all filmmakers from Samar and Leyte.

The 2nd Pambujan Pelikula Para sa Publiko (PPPP) Film Festival will be held at Pambujan, Northern Samar this coming June 15 to 18, 2010

There will be a short film contest for the festival. The deadline for submission of entries is on April 30, 2010. Works in progress may be submitted by the deadline but final output must be submitted by May 31, 2010.

Submit to:
Noriel Jarito
Magallanes St., District 2
Pambujan, Northern Samar 6413

The RULES & GUIDELINES are as follows (Please take note of Rule #4):

1. Short films (narrative) about Samar and Leyte set locally, other place or abroad.
2. Made by Samar-Leyte filmmakers amateur or professional living here or abroad.
3. Maximum 20 minutes in DVD format (1 copy) and AVI file (1 copy).
4. Using Samar-Leyte dialect with English subtitles.
5. Film synopsis, filmmaker’s profile+filmography and stills/posters (in CD).
6. Contestants may submit as many entries as they want.
7. The organizers reserve the right not to show any film unfit for general patronage.
8. Winning films will be toured in the region and distributed in DVD and other media.

Awards

Best Film P20,000
Special Jury Prize P10,000
Other Prizes
Best Director
Best Screenplay
Best Editing
Best Cinematography
Best Production Design
Best Sound Design
Best Original Music
Best Actor
Best Actress
Audience Choice Award

Winners will receive a certificate and a trophy. They will also be invited to the festival.

Winners will also receive free three days accommodations and free attendance to the scriptwriting workshop during the festival.

For Inquiries, please contact Noriel Jarito at 0928-4604679 or email him at ironoriel@yahoo. com

UP FILM INSTITUTE’S NEW YEAR OF AUTEURS

UP Film Institute’s New Year of Auteurs

Pave the way for the rise of the bold filmmaking order as UP Film Institute brings in for 2010 the New Year of Auteurs. Featured are films by Lav Diaz, Raya Martin, Armando Lao, Francis Xavier Pasion, Ron Bryant, Sherad Anthony Sanchez, John Torres, Jerrold Tarog and Ruel Dahis Antipuesto. A special added program is a selection of breakthrough short films regarded now as classics from some of the most celebrated names in Philippine counter-stream cinema. A taste of vintage international features is provided by acclaimed cult films by legendary directors Alejandro Jodorowsky and Dario Argento.

Initial leg of UP Film Institute’s screenings for January 2010 is shown in graphs as follows:

CINE ADARNA:

Lav Diaz’s HEREMIAS
Jan 6 / wed / 1pm
Jan 9 / sat / 1pm

Lav Diaz’s EBOLUSYON NG ISANG PAMILYANG PILIPINO
Jan 7 / thu / 1pm
Jan 11 / mon / 1pm

Lav Diaz’s BUTTERFLIES HAVE NO MEMORIES
+AGONISTES
Jan 13 / wed / 4pm, 7pm

Alejandro Jodorowsky’s TRIPTYCH
(santa sangre, holy mountain, el topo)
Jan 12 / tue / 5pm, 7 p.m. (parts 1 & 2)
Jan 18 / mon / 5pm (part 3)

Dario Argento’s TWINBILL
(suspiria, the bird with the crystal plumage)
Jan 19 /tue / 5pm, 7 pm

John Torres’ Double Feature
(todo todo teros , taon noong ako'y anak sa labas)
Jan 20 / wed / 5pm ,7 p.m.

VIDEOTHEQUE:

Raya Martin’s NEXT ATTRACTION
Jan 8 / fri / 2:30, 4:30 & 6:30 p.m.
Jan 9 / sat / 2:30, 4:30 & 6:30 p.m.
Jan 11 / mon / 4:30 & 6:30 p.m.
Jan 12 / tue / 4:30 & 6:30 p.m.
Jan 13 /wed /4:30 & 6:30 p.m.

Armando Lao’s BIYAHENG LUPA
Jan 14 / thu /4:30 & 6:30 p.m.
Jan 15 / fri / 2:30pm & 4:30pm
Jan 16 / sat /6:30pm
Jan 18 / mon / 6:30pm
Jan 19 / tue / 4:30pm
Jan 20 / wed / 4:30pm
Jan 21 / thu / 6:30pm
Jan 22 / fri / 6:30pm
Jan 23 / sat / 4:30 & 6:30 p.m.

Francis Pasion’s JAY
Jan 15 / fri / 6:30pm
Jan 16 / sat / 2:30 & 4:30pm
Jan 18 / mon / 4:30pm
Jan 19 / tue / 6:30pm
Jan 20 / wed/ 6:30pm
Jan 21 / thu/ 4:30pm
Jan 22 / fri / 2:30 & 4:30pm
Jan 23 / sat/ 2:30pm

Ron Bryant’s ALON
Jan 25 / mon / 4:30 & 6:30pm
Jan 27 / wed / 4:30pm
Jan 29 / fri / 6:30pm
Jan 30 / sat / 2:30pm

Sherad Anthony Sanchez’s IMBURNAL
Jan 26 / tue / 4:30pm
Jan 29 / fri / 2:30pm

Sherad Anthony Sanchez’s HULING BALYAN NG BUHI
Jan 27 /wed / 6:30pm
Jan 30 /sat / 4:30pm

Jerrold Tarog’s CONFESSIONAL
Jan 28 / thu / 4:30 & 6:30pm
Jan 30 / sat / 6:30pm

Jerrold Tarog’s MANGATYANAN
Feb 1 / mon / 4:30 & 6:30pm
Feb 2 / tue / 4:30 & 6:30pm
Feb 3 / wed / 4:30 & 6:30pm
Feb 4 / thu / 2:30, 4:30 & 6:30pm
Feb 5 / fri / 2:30, 4:30 & 6:30pm
Feb 6 / sat / 2:30, 4:30 & 6:30pm

WALANG ALAALA ANG MGA PARUPARO

WALANG ALAALA ANG MGA PARUPARO
Pelikula ni LAV DIAZ

UP Film Institute invites you to a special screening of Lav Diaz’s BUTTERFLIES HAVE NO MEMORIES on January 13, Wednesday, 7pm at UPFI Cine AdarnaThe event will be preceded by his work-in-progress film, AGONISTES followed by a talk from KALIKASAN.

January 13, Wednesday, UP Film Institute Cine Adarna

4PM – Agonistes
6:30PM- Q & A With Kalikasan
7PM – Butterflies Have No Memories

Overview:

Lav Diaz’s BUTTERFLIES HAVE NO MEMORIES (Walang Alaala Ang Mga Paruparo)
On an island far from the main land of the Philippines, islanders who used to be wealthy go through economic difficulties when a goldmine company withdraws from the area. Ferding, Santos and Willy only drink in despair. One day, a Canadian woman’s visit changes everything.. .. Through the expression of the contradictory nature of the prosperity development brings and the environmental destruction it causes, the pain Philippine society experiences is fully captured.

KALIKASAN
Kalikasan-PNE is a network of people's organizations (POs), non-government organizations (NGOs) and environmental advocates. It aims to address environmental issues in such a way that primacy is given to the people- especially those in the grassroots level who constitute the overwhelming majority of the population. All environmental causes shall thus have the people's interest at their core.

PARISUKAT

PARISUKAT:
“Makuha Ka Sa Isang Titig…”
Starring Toffee Calma

Written & Directed by Jonison Fontanos

SYNOPSIS

A “whodunnit” crime of passion involving 6 male characters: a young man, a gay lover, a hustler, a discreet bisexual, a houseboy, and a transvestite. No one knows that their lives are interconnected by a past murder case until fate brought them together in an old Spanish boarding house to unfold the mysterious crime in full circle.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

MARCUS – 18 y.o., the runaway young man who got himself enmeshed in an unresolved murder case.
XANDER – 25-30 y.o., the transvestite boarder whose ex-lover turns out to be Marcus friend.
JAIME – 30 y.o., the lonely bisexual landlord of an old Spanish boarding house.
HUBERT – 20 y.o., Xander's ex-lover and Marcus' friend who hustles for gay sex to earn his keep.
GERMAN – 25-30 y.o., the victim whose mysterious death will keep us guessing as to who is the real perpetrator of the crime.
TOTO – 18-25y.o., the houseboy who seems blind to the events that unfold inside the boarding house

PARISUKAT opens FEBRUARY 17, 2010 @ Robinson's Galleria, Robinson's Ermita, Roben, Remar Cubao, Cinerama Isettan Recto, Gotesco Grand Central Caloocan and Ultra Vistarama Cebu