True to form to their themes of love and its different vagaries, filmmakers Paolo Villaluna and Ellen Ramos follow up their highly-acclaimed debut film ILUSYON (Rated A 2005, Cinemanila IFF 2006, Pusan IFF 2006) with the tragic tale of Rommel in Selda.

SELDA tells the story of the friendship that develops between two prison inmates, Rommel (Sid Lucero) and Esteban (Emilio Garcia), who acts as his friend and protector. After their jail term, however, their attempt to define and explore the boundaries of their relationship leads to tragedy.

Selda is a return to classicist forms and delivers a stylish, deliberately- paced treatise on love. At moments strange, Selda is a sublime and disquieting portrait of a young man whose search for
happiness, innocence and true love is laden with guilt and doubt.

Starring Ara Mina, Emilio Garcia and Sid Lucero with Michael De Mesa, Allan Paule, Soliman Cruz, Ping Medina, Raul Morit and Hector Macaso.

SOME REVIEWS:

"A gem of a daring work"

-Clodualdo Del Mundo, screenwriter, Batch '81, Kisapmata

"Sid Lucero gives one of the best performances of the year and Emilio Garcia gives the best performance of his career. Sid, Emilio and Ara Mina complete the story of this powerful movie on how it is to be imprisoned by social dictates"
–Butch Francisco, The Philippine Star

"Powerful and disturbing. An outstanding performance from Sid Lucero"
–Raymond Red, Cannes Short Film Winner

"(An) outstanding film…Sid Lucero, Emilio Garcia, Ara Mina and Michael De Mesa deliver powerful performances. A riveting, must-see drama."
-Rito Asilo, Philippine Daily Inquirer

"Selda is a beautifully filmed masterpiece. Sid Lucero, Emilio Garcia and Ara Mina are brilliant"
–Christine Dayrit, CEB Chair

"One of the more compelling movies released of late…Villaluna and Ramos know how to frame a shot to catch the viewer's attention…the cast are at the peak of their acting prowess…a subdued potential love triangle brews with deadly sexual tension… the last line (in Selda) still echoes in our head months after the disc faded out."
-Juaniyo Arcellana, The Philippine Star

"Engrossing! Wonderful performances"
–Mario Hernando, Urian Manunuri

"An intelligent and thought-provoking film. Sid and Emilio are superb. Cinematography is great. Michael De Mesa is excellent…"
–Dr.Jaime Ang, Gawad Tanglaw

"A disquieting examination of connected tragedies…quite versed in the nuances of cinematic language…somber and substantial…a solid and darkly potent work…expertly photographed… Sid Lucero is simply electrifying, Emilio Garcia is a revelation."
–Oliver Pulumbarit, Philippine Daily Inquirer

"An engrossing story. Villaluna and Ramos manifest their keen visual sense as they have done in Ilusyon. Another noteworthy achievement is in the performances. Very impressive."
–Cinema Evaluation Board

"Sid is the best young actor of this generation. His wonderful performance in Selda shows his range… and it has been sometime since we got to see Michael de Mesa in a good movie. His role (in Selda) might just win him his next acting trophy."
–Prof. Ed Pangilinan, Manila Times

"Sid is definitely one of the most competent young actors we have today and his sensitivity and intensity shines in Selda…and Emilio projects the right sensibility in portraying a quiet enigmatic man who's palpably smouldering inside. If only for their fine performances, Selda is already worthseeing. "
–Mario Bautista, Film Critic

Jasper Chavez Zarzuela's documentary "Tunay na Buhay?" will be screened at the 2nd Cinevita film festival on March 6, 4 P.M., at the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex, University of Santo Tomas, España, Manila.

The Cinevita festival, which focuses on positive, life-affirming features, short films, and documentaries, is organized by The Varsitarian, official student publication of UST, and Institute of Religion, with the UST Journalism Society, UST Literary Society, and Concilium Philosophiae.

"Tunay na Buhay?" is a documentary which focuses on a child (Jessa) that belongs to a typical Filipino family. The father, an ice cream vendor, earns for the family, and the mother takes care of it.

The film portrays the family's everyday life and struggles through the point of view of a child. It shows the depth of understanding and the psychological profile that developed on a particular subject due to the environment, circumstances and realities that surround her.

"Tunay na Buhay?" was nominated for a Gawad Urian, with Ditsi Carolino's "Bunso" edging it for the award, and won second place for documentary in the UP Film and Video Awards.

The documentary was one of the entries selected to screen at ABC 5's "Dokyu: Ang Bagong Mata ng Pinoy Documentaries" during its very first season. It later made the rounds of universities and colleges in Metro Manila as part of the Dokyu campus tour.

Zarzuela, a graduate of the UP Film Institute, is now a freelance photographer and also works on several film-related projects.

Brillante Mendoza's fourth full-length feature "Foster Child," which has won three international awards so far, will be the opening film in the 2nd Cinevita film festival on March 5, 9 A.M., at the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex, University of Santo Tomas, España, Manila.

The Cinevita festival, which focuses on positive, life-affirming features, short films, and documentaries, is organized by The Varsitarian, official student publication of UST, and Institute of Religion, with the UST Journalism Society, UST Literary Society, and Concilium Philosophiae. Mendoza's "Tirador" (Slingshot) will also be screened on March 7, 3 P.M.

"Foster Child," produced by Robbie Tan's Seiko Films, won the Prix de la Fiction (Prize for Fiction) at the Festival International du Film d'Environnement (International Environmental Film Festival) in Paris, France, Best Actress award for Cherry Pie Picache in the 9th Osian's Cinefan International Film Festival in India, and the Special Jury award in Eurasia (Kazakhstan) .

Picache, which has caught the attention of international film critics once again for her portrayal of a foster mother, is expected to attend the open forum after the screening. The film also stars Eugene Domingo, Jiro Manio, Alwyn Uytingco, Dan Alvaro, Kristofer
King, and Kier Segundo.

Mendoza, who also directed "Masahista" (The Masseur), "Kaleldo" (Summer Heat), and "Manoro" (The Aeta Teacher), will be attending the Las Palmas International Film Festival in Spain where "Foster Child" will vie for the Golden Lady Harimaguada award. He will also receive the "Someone to Watch" award from the Cleveland International Film Festival in the US. He will be back in the country on March 19 to shoot his next full-length feature project.

Ralston Jover, who wrote the script of Centerstage Productions' "Foster Child," "Manoro," "Tirador," and MLR Films' award-winning film "Kubrador," all under the supervision of script
consultant Armando "Bing" Lao, will be at the Fribourg International Film Festival until March 10. He is set to direct his own digital feature "Bakal Boys."

"Foster Child," which was shown in last year's Cannes Film Festival Director's Fortnight, will also compete at the Durban International Film Festival in South Africa, where Picache previously won another Best Actress award for "Kaleldo," in July. It has also been invited to screen at this year's New Directors, New Films in New York. It previously competed at the 9th Cinemanila International Film Festival and opened the 3rd Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival.

One of Gawad Tanglaw's Best Films for 2007, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Screenplay and the Young Critics Circle Film Desk 2007 Best Picture and Best Screenplay awardee, "Foster Child" is a narrative of the day when a Filipino family in the slums has to say goodbye to their three-year old foster child John-John because an American couple has come to adopt him.

"Foster Child" was recently released theatrically in France by its distributor Ad Vitam under its French title "John John." It will also be shown theatrically in the United Kingdom under another
distributor Peccadillo Pictures, according to Ferdie Lapuz of Ignatius Films, Canada.

In a welcome twist to celebrate the International Women’s Day, The UP Film Institute holds this Saturday, 8 March 2008, at 3, 5 and 7 p.m. the premiere of Seksing Pinay—a full-length collection of sizzling clips from the sexy flicks produced by Leo Films.

Narrated by Roy Alvarez, the unique big-screen engagement weaves together deleted footage from films topbilled by bold stars spanning three decades to examine the phenomenon of sex in the movies and the depiction of women in sex-oriented roles. Project director is Armando Reyes with consultant Cesar Aquino and editing supervisor Jeff de Vera. Screening is strictly for mature audiences.

How can uncut, adult-oriented films be socially relevant especially at a time of political crisis? Please go to Cine Adarna starting March 5 to find out.

The University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication (UP CMC) hosts a film festival titled “Director’s Cut: Mga Eksenang Dapat Mong Nakita Pero…” from March 5 to 7 at the Cine Adarna in UP Diliman, Quezon City. Opening cocktails are scheduled at 4 p.m. on March 5 (Wednesday) at the UP Cine Adarna lobby.

Nine controversial films will be shown for three days. These are the uncut versions of Bakit May Kahapon Pa? (directed by Joel Lamangan), Laman (Maryo J. de los Reyes), Ang Lalake sa Parola (Jay Altarejos), Duda/Doubt (Cris Pablo), Rome and Juliet (Connie Macatuno), Twilight Dancers (Mel Chionglo), La Vida Rosa (Chito Roño), Tuhog (Jeffrey Jeturian) and Live Show (Jose Javier Reyes). De los Reyes, Pablo, Macatuno, Roño and Jeturian are graduates of UP CMC.

Bakit May Kahapon Pa? (March 5, 5 p.m.) is about a woman, traumatized by the massacre of her family in the 1970s, who plans revenge on the responsible military officer. Laman (March 5, 7 p.m.) focuses on a young couple’s problems mainly caused by a rich businesswoman who lusts for the husband and a gigolo who seduces the wife. Ang Lalake sa Parola (March 5, 9 p.m.) tells the story of a lighthouse caretaker in a conservative rural community who falls in love with another man.

Duda/Doubt (March 6, 5 p.m.) is a tale of infidelity in a relationship between two men while Rome and Juliet (March 6, 7 p.m.) is a romantic journey of two women caught in a web of forbidden love. Twilight Dancers (March 6, 9 p.m.) is about a macho dancer who is pressured to “dance” to the tune of the new global economy.

La Vida Rosa (March 7, 5 p.m.) revolves around a couple’s dangerous life as con artists. Tuhog (March 7, 7 p.m.) is a disturbing yet entertaining movie within a movie where a mother and daughter are abused twice – first by a rapist who happens to be a family member and then by incompetent filmmakers. Live Show (March 7, 9 p.m.) is a story of poor Filipinos forced to perform sexual acts in front of paying customers.

An open forum with the director and other guests follows every screening of the film.

Tickets are priced at P200 for each film, but students with valid IDs can pay only P100. A festival pass which allows one to view all nine films costs P1,000.

The sponsors of the Director’s Cut film festival are Microdata Systems and Management, Globe Telecom, Philippine Airlines, Cravings, Strategic Organizational Services Philippines (Stratos) and the UP Centennial Commission.

The film festival is part of UP’s centennial celebration. For ticket inquiries and other details, please contact Dr. Arminda V. Santiago or Prof. Ma. Rosel San Pascual at (632) 920-6864 or (632) 920-6867.

When Timawa Meets Delgado @ Robinsons Galleria on March 12-18, 2008

Directed by Ray Defante Gibraltar
Photography by Oscar Nava
Poetry by J.I.E. Teodoro
Produced by ON Creative Production

This unconventional story revolves around the unconventional lives of JUN DELGADO and RUBEN TIMAWA and their American dream.

Jun Delgado, on one hand is a self-proclaimed filmmaker whose parents and siblings are already in America, decides to enroll in nursing after breaking up with his girlfriend who is pestering him
to do something with his life, to earn money, and live a normal life. Delgado also dabbles into video coverage of weddings, baptisms, and funerals, and pornography to earn his living.

Ruben Timawa, on the other hand is a gay literature teacher and a Palanca award-winning writer, decides to enroll in nursing when the object of his desire, a supposed to be rabid leftist leaning street activist, went to America. The only way for Timawa to go to America is to become a nurse first.

The two meet at the College of Nursing dean's office. And this meeting opens worlds of possibilities for these two losers.

UP Film Institute in cooperation with Microdata, BusinessWorld, Globe and GMA pay homage to varied wandering, wondering, wonderful women as the institute celebrates the 18th International Women's Film Festival at the Cine Adarna at the University of the Philippines- Diliman from the 10th – 13th of March 2008.

UP Film Institute recognizes and sympathizes with the pains, sacrifices, negotiations and the victories that the diasporic woman encounters as the growing trend of feminization of the labor force all over the world, with the Philippines as the widest exporter of human labor, continue to exploit and oppress womanity.

The film festival will showcase the best feature and short films by/for women from different parts of the globe. A festival highlight is Malaysian full-length film, handpicked by the 18th IWFF committee, Tan Chui Mui's Love Conquers All, which bagged first prizes from Pusan, Rotterdam and Hong Kong film festivals.

Fora on women and migration, with lectures by women and gender-sensitive directors such as Joyce Bernal, Khryss Adalia and Cathy Garcia-Molina as a highlight, explore discourses on film as a diasporic experience, filming the diasporic experience and the diasporic nomadic woman.

For the festival launch night, in recognition of her legacy as THE CONTRAVIDA of Philippine movies, the sole Diwata awardee is the irreplaceable Ms. Bella Flores. Ms. Flores ahs appeared in more than 100 movies since her career began as a 16-year-old lass in the early
1950s. Even today, no one parallels her iconic looks and acting wit.

Crafting the Diwata trophy is well-known sculptor, Ms. Lia Torralba, who blends together the images of leaf, woman, moon and vessel into her work.

Also for the launch night, to celebrate the role of young women artists and activists in promoting equity and equality for women, UP Diliman University Student Council Chair (incoming Student Regent) Ms. Shahana Abdulwahid will give more significance to the festival with inspirational remarks. UP Open University Chancellor Grace Javier Alfonso and Film Institute Director Anne Marie de Guzman provide the festival overview. Mr. German Moreno, a Philippine cinema stalwart will receive the Diwata Award in behalf of Ms. Bella Flores.

To complete the line up of events for the festival, the women faculty of the UP Film Institute, together with other women artists, mount a multi-media exhibit on Sense and Wandering at the Ishmael Bernal Gallery for the whole month of March, to be curated by woman artist,
Ms. Vivian N. Limpin.

The Festival is also presented by the University Student Council (UP Diliman), Quezon City Gender and Development Office, Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines, Center for Community Journalism and Development, Rep. Liza Masa (Gabriela Women's Party), F177 Women in Cinema class of the UPFI, University Center for Women's Studies, Embassy of Spain, Embassy of Israel, and the Environmental Broadcast Circle.

The festival is headed by Festival Director Prof. Carol Bello.

For inquiries and complete list of film screenings, fora, seminar, festival music concert, please call the UP Film Institute at:
926.36.40, 926.27.22 (telefax), 981.85.00 loc. 4286.
Or email: upfi.adarna@ gmail.com.

The 18th International Women Film Festival: Wandering, Wondering, Wonderful Women opens on the 10th of March 2008, 6:00pm, Cine Adarna, UP Film Institute, UP Diliman. Free admission.

All filmmakers, movie enthusiasts and those who know how to handle a camera, maybe this email is for you!

Dear Filmmakers,

Greetings from Busan Asian Short Film Festival 2008.

This is Moon Kyung Kang Kang (or simply call me Jenn), in charge of Overseas Programming for Busan Asian Short Film Festival (BASFF).

We are very happy to announce that Busan Asian Short Film Festival 2008 will be held at the end of May, 2008.

It will be great pleasure for us to receive your works and meet new abilities from all around the Asia.

Please visit our web site at www.basff.org and submit your films a under suitable category no later than February, 15. 2008.

In any case, we ask you to carefully read the Festival's General Regulations for film entries.

For further questions the Programme Department will be at your disposal:

Programme Organisation

phone +82 ¡¤ 51 ¡¤ 742 ¡¤ 9600

fax +82 ¡¤ 51 ¡¤ 744 ¡¤ 2195

E-mail: programming@basff.org

Thank you for your participation.

Sincerely,

Moon Kyung KANG

Overseas Programming Coordinator, BASFF

Busan Asian Short Film Festival

#508, Centum Venture Town,

Centum City, Woo-2dong, Haeundae-gu,

Busan, Korea, 612-022

Tel.+82-51-742-9600,

Website www.basff.org

Filmmakers and activists screened two films banned by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), "A Day in the Life of Gloria" and "Mendiola", in protest of what they called "repression" by the Arroyo administration.

The "X" rating given by the MTRCB to the two films resulted in their exclusion from a short film festival called "Kontra-Agos" .

The films were shown during a press conference on Friday by filmmakers and activists to express alarm over what they perceive to be an attempt to suppress media coverage of the failed rebellion in Makati led by former Navy officer turned Senator Antonio Trillanes and Army Brigadier General Danny Lim.

Short filmmaker King Catoy said, "Nananawagan kami sa mga kapwa natin artists, i-defy natin ang admnistrasyong ito, this is martial law (We call on our fellow artists to defy this administration. This is martial law)."

During the press conference, National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera joined other artists and activists in having their hands tied, recalling images of ABS-CBN reporters and crew who were handcuffed and detained by police in the aftermath of the Makati incident.

Lumbera said recent events, including the so-called "censorship" of an artist's collective in Angolo, Rizal, bear out a clear and present danger to artists and to freedom of expression.

"Mayroon litaw na panganib sa atin. Karapatan natin magkaroon ng layang ipakita ang katotohanan (There is an obvious threat against us. It is our right to have the freedom to tell the truth)," said Lumbera.

MTRCB reviewer Mark Castrodes however dismissed the artists' accusations as baseless conspiracy theories. According to Castrodes, the films were given an X-rating because they put the government in a bad light.

One of the films, "A Day in the Life of Gloria", is in animated format and shows a cartoon caricature of President Arroyo saying "I am sorry" after which her nose begins to grow. It is a scene that recalls the fairy tale character Pinocchio, whose nose elongates whenever he tells a lie.

Castrodes said that contrary to the artists' wild claims, there is no "institutionalized political repression" and that the film reviewers simply did their job.

"We are not in cahoots with anyone else here, for us, it was simply a day's work", he said, adding that the filmmakers could have appealed the rating and asked for a second review but they chose to no longer do so.

hxxp://www.abs-cbnnews.com/ storyPage.aspx?storyId= 100968

BY EMILY VITAL
Bulatlat
Vol. VII, No. 43, December 2-8, 2007

“The MTRCB will never allow the propagation of films which carries dissenting views to the current administration,” said an independent filmmaker whose work is scheduled to be shown at Indie Sine in Robinson’s Galeria December 5-11 but was rated “X” by the board.

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) was criticized anew for censoring two short films created by independent film makers.

Southern Tagalog Exposure’s (ST Exposure) A Day in the Life of Gloria Arrovo and Sine Patriyotiko’s Mendiola have been rated “X” or disapproved from public exhibition by the MTRCB. Said films are part of an eight-film compilation scheduled to be shown at the Kontra Agos Resistance Film Festival on December 5-11, Indie Sine, Robinson’s Galleria.

In an interview, RJ Mabilin, director of A Day in the Life of Gloria Arrovo, said that the MTRCB justified the rating by saying that the films “undermine the faith of the people in government.”

An animation, which got an honorable mention award from this year’s Gawad Cultural Center of the Philippines, A Day in the Life of Gloria ArroVo is a political satire.

Mendiola, on the other hand, is a short documentary critical of the Arroyo government’s calibrated preemptive response (CPR).

Another short film, Holy Bingo, was initially rated “X” but later got a PG-13 classification. The film,
Mabilin said, is critical of the Catholic Church.

Mabilin said, “It goes to show that there exists institutionalized repression. The MTRCB has the final say whether a film should be viewed or not. It will never allow the propagation of films which carries dissenting views to the current administration.”

In September, the MTRCB also rated “X” the compilation of films titled Rights which deals with the human rights situation in the country.

In an email that reached Bulatlat, award-winning director Carlitos Siguion Reyna said, “This is the
latest instance of broad-sided political censorship, so soon after the “X”-ing of similar political short films in the “Rights”… also, so soon after the content alteration done by the National Press Club of the Neo-Angono Arts Collective’s press freedom mural.”

ST Exposure’s Mabilin said that they will continue to resist all forms of censorship. He said they will continue utilizing alternative venues to propagate their films. In fact, A Day in the Life of Gloria Arrovo can be viewed via the Youtube since 2005 (http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=5_x6m_LDryE& feature=related)

Siguion Reyna said that this case is “merely the latest illustration of this government’s view on free expression, truth, and transparency.” Bulatlat

REGULATIONS & ENTRY

Registration is possible also via www.reelport.com

1. OBJECTIVES
The XXXVIII Tampere International Short Film Festival will take place March 5-9, 2008. Tampere Film Festival is an independent short film festival with an international and national competition. The competitions are open and free for all who want to submit a film for the preview. It is organized by the association Tampere Film Festival and receives financial support from the City of Tampere, the Finnish Film Foundation, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European union Media-programme, Promotion Centre for Audiovisual Culture in Finland and other public and private partners. The Festival is acknowledged by the International Federation of Film Producers Association FIAPF/IFFPA and abides by its instructions and regulations. It is a member of the International Film Conference ISFC and of the European Coordination of Film Festivals eeig.

2. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Admitted are all films and videos of all genres not exceeding a length of 30 minutes. Films must have been completed on January 1st, 2006 or after. The selection will be made on completed productions. In exceptional cases the Festival reserves the right to accept films of longer duration. Films which have been shown or awarded at other international film festivals are allowed to compete.

3. DEADLINE AND SUBMISSION
The submission deadline is December 1, 2007.
The following material has to be sent together with each submitted film:

1) a VHS copy or a DVD of the film (max 3 films per copy)
2) a FULLY filled entry form
3) a complete list of dialogue, commentary and/or text inserts in original language AND in english
4) at least 1 photo
For preview screenings only VHS tapes and DVD discs will be accepted. Tapes or DVDs must be sent by mail or courier service and carry the declaration: "FOR TEMPORARY, CULTURAL PURPOSE ONLY. NO COMMERCIAL VALUE."

4. SELECTION
The Festival will select the films for the International Competition from all entered contributions during December 2007 and January 2008. Any filmmaker, producer, organisation or other party can submit films directly to the festival office. Entrants will be notified of the selection results by mid-February 2008.

5. SHIPPING PROCEDURE
Remember to mark all the dispatches: "FOR TEMPORARY, CULTURAL PURPOSES ONLY. NO COMMERCIAL VALUE."

a) Entry forms and preview copies and other required material must be received by December 1, 2007 at the following address:

(by mail)
Tampere Film Festival
P.O. BOX 305
FIN-33101 Tampere
Finland

(by courier service)
Tampere Film Festival
Tullikamarinaukio 2
FIN-33100 Tampere
Finland

(film department)

tel. + 358-3-213 0034, fax +358-3-223 0121, e-mail: filmdept@tamperefilmfestival.fi.

b) Festival screening copies of selected films must be sent by courier service to the address above. Dispatches from non-EU-member states must be accompanied by a pro forma invoice amounting to max. 100 USD (no higher amounts will be accepted by the Festival.)

6. RETURN OF THE SCREENING COPIES
The screening copies will be returned within two weeks after the Festival to the address given on the entry form(except DVD's). The festival must be notified of any changes in the return address before the beginning of the Festival. The shipping costs to Tampere must be paid by the sender. Return expenses will be covered by the Festival. Preview copies will not be returned.

7. INSURANCE
The films will be insured by the festival for the whole time of their being in the Festival´s possession. The insurance will follow the instructions of FIAPF.

8. FESTIVAL SCREENINGS
For festival screenings the Festival accepts 16 mm and 35 mm film prints, Betacam SP PAL and Digi Beta PAL and DVD. The screening copies must be at the Festival office by February 11, 2008. The films will be electronically subtitled in both Finnish and English. This will, however, only be done if a dialogue list/post-productio n transcript has been sent in due time to the Festival Office (see point 3).

9. JURIES AND PRICES
The organizers will nominate an international jury of five members, one of whom is Finnish. The jury will award the following prizes to the film directors:

1) Grand Prix: Festival trophy
"Kiss" & 5000 € for the best film in the International Competition
2) three Category Prizes:
"Kiss" & 1500 € each
3) Diplomas of Merit
A Diploma of Merit will be awarded to the best film of the International Competition voted by the audience. A Participation Diploma will be given to every film selected to participate on the International Competition.

10. INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM MARKET
A film market for accredited professionals will be open during the Festival. All the preview copies are automatically entered in the film market selection and made available for individual viewing unless stated otherwise in a written instruction to be submitted to the festival by February 8, 2008.

Film Market is open for accredited professionals only. The deadline for the copies sent only for the market is February 8, 2008.

11. NON-SPECIFIED CASES
The Festival Directorate will decide on any cases of doubt which have not been mentioned in these regulations (in accordance with FIAPF International Regulations). Participation in the Festival implies recognition without reservation of these regulations and the entry form (in accordance with the regulations) .

UP Film Institute’s Cine Veritas Human Rights Film Festival for the year is all set from December 3 to 8. The Philippine gala premiere of Brillante Mendoza’s Tirador serves as opening salvo for the weeklong 2007 edition of the film festival that promises to be the biggest since it was first mounted in 2003.

Main films in exhibition come from across the globe led by the world premiere of New Zealand filmmaker Dean Hapeta’s follow-up to his 2003 rap documentary Ngatahi that made it to Sundance; Mexico and Spain’s co-production Pan’s Labyrinth; Italian Embassy’s presentation Salvatore—That’ s Life; the two-part program from Productions Multi-Monde of Canada comprised of Bledi, Sparks of War, Rebel Music Americas, Rebel Music Quebec; the Chinese documentary on an AIDS-afflicted family To Live Is Better Than to Die; the maquiladora murder drama Bordetown starring Jennifer Lopez and another Latin American cinema pride To Be Happy in Chile.

Filipino filmmakers take centerstage. Brillante Mendoza is represented not only by the opening film Tirador but also by the Cannes Director’s Fortnight entry Foster Child. Jim Libiran fields the Cinemalaya Best Picture Tribu that went on to vie for the top plum in Pusan and is also slated for Berlin International Forum of New Cinema come February 2008. Lino Tañada showcases the screen adaptation of the late author Orlando Nadres’ seminal play on repressed sexuality, Hanggang Dito Na Lamang at Maraming Salamat. Other Pinoy filmmakers with works in the festival selection include Vivian Limpin and Ma. Kathrina S. Loreños (Kunyang); She Andes and Mike Juancho Galang (Estropa) and Eric Tandoc (810logy).

Cine Veritas is UP Film Institute’s annual film festival that aims to uphold and raise consciousness on issues of human dignity and rights. In addition to screenings, myriad activities including fora, concerts, street dance parade, wall climbing and a string of gallery events highlight this year’s edition of the filmfest.

KONTRA-AGOS RESISTANCE FILM FESTIVAL SCHEDUL0 5-11 December, Indie Sine, Robinson's Galleria
5 December, Wednesday OPENING NIGHT PROGRAM FREE ADMISSION

7-7:30 PM cocktails 8 PM
Lupang Hinirang
Welcome Remarks:
Independent Filmmakers Cooperative
Kontra Agos Organizers
Special Guest Performance
Introduction of Walai: Adjani Arumpac
9 PM Screening of Walai by Adjani Arumpac

SHORTS 1 – Mindanao shorts (Programmed by TENG MANGANSAKAN)
7 PM December 6 (Filmmakers’ Reception), 3 PM December
8, 10 PM December 9, 1 PM December 10

ME’GUYAYA (Documentary)

By Eduardo C. Vasquez, Jr.,

Me’guyaya is a Te’duray term for merry-making or thanksgiving. In 2003, an active and concerned group of people in Upi, Shariff Kabunsuan initiated a festival that would unite all residents in thanking God for the abundant harvest. Since then, it has become a big town event that celebrates the richness and diversity of the Muslim, Christian and Lumad peoples of Upi.

The documentary delves on how the Me’guyaya serves as a catalyst for cultural unity as everyone gets involved in the festivities.

TRANQUIL TIMES (documentary)
By Loren Hallilah I. Lao

The documentary delves on the good governance efforts of the private sector, civil society and the local government unit of Wao, Lanao del Sur working together to erase remnants of the religious and ethnic clashes of the 1970s. It explores how peace has been achieved in this multi-ethnic town, ropelling the once-turbulent municipality into its present agricultural renaissance.

GEORGE’S TOWN (Documentary)
By Moises Charles Hollite

George Sabandal is one of about 2,500 internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have sought refuge in the town of Buluan, Maguindanao as a result of the “all-out war” in 2000. Refusing to go back to the place of his origin, he has created a new life for himself and his family in their ideal town.

SULU (Documentary)
By Al Jacinto

Born of a Muslim mother, young writer Arthur Sakaluran Abasalo decides to visit Sulu despite the perceived strife and presence of Muslim rebels and Abu Sayyaf terrorists. In Sulu, he meets a former Muslim rebel-turned policeman who tells him about his life story and how he got separated from his family for more than a decade. He returns to Sulu to start a new life after being reunited with his family.

Arthur returns to Manila after a short stay in Sulu, bringing with him memorable stories and truths about the island feared by many as a dangerous place to go.

BINITON (Narrative)
By McRobert Nacario

A story depicting the process of preparation and cooking of a dish called Biniton that is particular to the community of Saniag, Ampatuan. The process of cooking, in the eyes of an old woman, brings to life the hardships they experienced amidst armed conflict at the same time the process of preparation, through the experience of Amel, her grandson walks us through the current situation of their community. How amidst the hardships and diversity in culture they had all managed to bounce back and become united.

A STEP FOR MY DREAM (Narrative)
By Mona Labado

Seven-year-old Abdul dreams of becoming a leader of his town. He has natural charisma and easily becomes friends with people even if he hasn’t known them for long. But his grandmother reminds him of their peasant roots which is no match to the traditional ruling family. Undaunted, Abdul sees it as a challenge envisions his future.

DREAMS (Narrative)
By Sheron Dayoc

Nine-year-old Satra has been mute for as long as she could remember. But her determination to secure a good education reverberates clearly amid the strictures of her Yakan culture.

SHORTS 2
Screenings: 7 PM December 7 (Filmmakers’ Reception), 1
PM December 9, 9 PM December 10, 4 PM December 11

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF GLORIA (animation/ 1 min.)
By RJ Mabilin

A satire on the different political and economic issues the country faces under the Arroyo administration.

THRESHOLD (experimental/ 15 mins.)
By Mikhail Red

Seeking the Threshold, the Wanderer, endures a dark journey through the unknown and into the limits of the human mind.

BINGO (documentary/ 16 mins.)
By Noriel Jarito

Bingo reveals life’s monotony of rural existence. People embrace almost anything: dull, inspiring, tame, untamed, reputable, and even deceptive. Their horizon is bounded by beliefs which sometimes manage to mislead, mock, and misuse their fate. They surrender and never question the path they trace. Thus, they are lost. Submission is sweet, to do otherwise is bitter. Their incomprehension is at the maximum level that wrong becomes right, and what is right becomes wrong. To play “Bingo” inside a church is never questioned and is labeled licensed by some unprincipled Catholic Church leaders. Christianity is the largest religion and surely many of its followers are destitute enough to consider “Bingo” inside their church as a source of momentary abundance.

Bingo reveals all: People are born. People are being baptized. People marry. People die. All these should have been valuable and symbolic, yet have gone awry and worthless instead. Why? Because of people’s shallowness and ignorance.

LUNES NG HAPIS (narrative/ 12 mins.)
By Nick Olanka

Virgie, an elementary school teacher, and Ismael, the captain of the troop assigned to infiltrate the rebels, are lovers in the midst of a military offense in Filomena. Every Monday they meet and make love passionately and violently. One day, due to the disappearance of Virgie's student's father, she falls into the situation to choose between her love for Ismael and her love for her community.

DIVINE WIND (experimental/ 4 mins.)
By Sari Dalena-Sicat

A Japanese soldier hides in an island, in the belief that the war has not ended.

UNCONVENTIONAL WARFARE (documentary/ 30 mins.)
By Herbert Docena and Anna Isabelle Matutina

This documentary contextualizes the issue of US military presence in the country within the long and bitter history of conflict in the south. Countering the reductionist frame set by the narrative of the “global war against terror,” it examines the historical conditions that led to the emergence of the Moro separatist movement and the subsequent rise of the Abu Sayyaf. It dissects the government’s contradictory attempts to downplay its threat while at the same time justifying escalating military operations in the region.

Against this backdrop, the documentary then probes allegations of US military involvement in the war.

PUTOT (narrative/ 20 mins.)
By Jeck Cogama

Putot (Visayan for "small") is the heartfelt story of a young boy growing up at a squatter colony by the sea. Putot, aged 13, is a taciturn boy who takes care of his mentally-ill father, and ekes out a living selling mussels. He meets Mayang, a mysterious young girl with secrets of her own. A friendship begins between the two.

Shot on location near Manila Bay, this emotional story premiered at the 2006 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, where its director Emmanuel "Jeck" Cogama won Best Director. Putot has been shown around the world.

MENDIOLA (documentary/ 31 mins.)
By Sine Patriyotiko

Through the First Quarter Storm to Mendiola Massacre to Calibrated Preemptive Response: from the very start, Mendiola houses the eye of conflict. Fact is, the road from Mendiola to the Palace is several hundred meters away. Nevertheless, this still is a great risk: to look directly at the center is to show the strength to confront those in power. On the road to Mendiola, one can tread across the history of our continuous struggle for change.

SHORTS 3
Screenings: 2:30 PM December 7, 7 PM December 8
(Filmmaker’s Reception), 4:30 PM December 10, 9:30 PM
December 11

ANG BAYAN KONG PAYAPA (experimental/ 5 mins.)
By Elvert dela Cruz Banares

This is the state of our nation cycle.

SIMULA (experimental/ 11 mins.)
By Ruelo Lozendo

A worm enters a man’s ear and lives inside his body. As the worm’s metamorphosis unfolds, the man experiences his own transformation.

PUSHING THE PARAMETERS (documentary/ 27 mins.)
By Kodao Productions

2006 was the worst year for the members of the bar, with seven lawyers and judges reportedly killed within the year. A significant number of these lawyers are directly involved in human rights advocacy. Under the administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, 19 lawyers and 12 judges were killed. And this can be seen in the light of more than 850 victims of extrajudicial killings from 2001 to 2007.

BINYAG (narrative/ 15 mins.)
By Mariami Tanangco

One night, two tragedies are about to take place. In an abandoned warehouse, rookie policeman is tasked to execute a suspected drug pusher. In the quiet suburbs, a mother is worriedly waiting for her son to come home. A social commentary on police-instigated “salvaging” that was prevalent in the late 80s, the film is intended as a personal elegy on lost innocence.

RED SAGA (experimental/ 15 mins.)
By Gabriela Krista Dalena

Children of the Land faithfully guard the last harvest from thieves. This poetic film offers a glimpse into the passion and pain of the people's protracted war in the countrysides.

MEDALAWNA (documentary/ 16 mins.)
By Apol Dating and Michael Cardoz

The story of a young girl named “Inday Liit” who helps her family earn a living by happily sweeping graveyards.

SA NGALAN NG TUBO (documentary/ 36 mins.)
By Tudla Productions

A video documentary that chronicles what happened on November 16, 2004 when seven people died at the picket lines of the Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac. Millworkers and farm workers of the sugar refinery and plantation owned by the Cojuangcos, one of the wealthiest, landed families in the Philippines, went on strike. Their demands were met with a volley of gunfire from military and police. Beginning with the history and background of the land issue, the film builds the tension gradually, leading up to the actual footage of the Hacienda Luisita incident, when even the filmmaker holding the camera has to run for his life.

FEATURE LENGTH

WALAI (documentary/ 60 mins.) Opening Film – premiere status
By Adjani Arumpac

Walai is an exploration of spaces.

It prods on the memories of four Muslim women who once lived in the infamous White House in Cotabato City. The documentary seeks narratives in “places...we tend to feel without history.” It traces the past through the women's experience of what has happened inside the wrecked home—nostalgia and fear, loss and love, and birth and death.

Screenings: 9 PM December 5 (Opening Film), 1 PM
December 7, 3 PM December 10, 8 PM December 11

THE JIHADIST (documentary/ 75 mins.) – premiere status
By Teng Mangansakan

The Jihadist is an autobiographical documentary on the filmmaker’s struggle as an artist amid the backdrop of the Moro revolution. His search for his rightful place in the memory of his homeland yields questions that require him to confront his identity as a Moro and come to terms with his homosexuality.

Screenings: 9 PM December 6 (Filmmaker’s Reception), 5
PM December 7, 1 PM December 8

STANDING UP (documentary/ 155 mins.) – premiere status
By Waise Azimi

Standing Up is a feature length documentary young Afghan men training to become professional soldiers in the new Afghan National Army. Situated at the Kabul Military Training Center, Standing Up chronicles the struggles and lives of these Afghan men from the moment they arrive at the KMTC to the last day of training of their training. Extensive access to the KMTC training program has provided an insiders perspective into one of the most underreported and important stories in the War Against Terror, the story of those who are Standing Up to the first line of defense.

Screenings: 9 PM December 7 (Filmmaker’s Reception),
3:30 PM December 9, 1 PM December 11

VOICES, TILTED SCREENS AND EXTENDED SCENES OF
LONELINESS: FILIPINOS IN HIGH DEFINITION
(experimental/ 100 mins.)
By John Torres

Voice, Tilted Screens is, at once, a meditation. It is a meta-film that unravels a journey, a chronicle of stories through foreign regions. It is a probing letter from outside circles, an honest account of illegitimate views from uneven terrain, and a narrative-driven exploration of the nooks and peripheries of the body, geography, and weather. As the journey progresses, the film increasingly traverses the countries of revelation, film, and heart to where all journeys are meant to end with.

Screenings: 5 PM December 6, 9 PM December 8
(Filmmaker’s Reception), 7 PM December 10

(DIFFERENT) WAYS AND MEANS
SUB-PROGRAM

HILO (experimental/ 90 mins.)
By JP Carpio

Originally conceptualized as a short film shot in 2004 and completed nearly three years later as a
full-length, the film charts the various emotional courses during a dinner between Emerson, a university professor, and Jenny, a university student.

Screenings: 1 PM December 6, 6:30 PM December 9
(Filmmaker’s Reception)

THE SINGH FAMILY HOME VIDEOS (documentary/ 40 mins.)
By Emman dela Cruz

A documentary work in progress, "The Singh Family Home Videos" charts an intimate look at the family life of the filmmaker's neighbors, a Punjabi Indian family who has assimilated into the Filipino culture and community. Is nationality a matter of origin? Is identity a matter of choice? Or is your "home" a matter of where you are or where you'll be?

Screenings: 1 PM December 6, 6:30 PM December 9
(Filmmaker’s Reception), 6:30 PM December 11

EHEM!PLO (documentary/ 43 mins.)
By Clodualdo Del Mundo, Jr.

‘Lahat tayo ay nawawalan,’ says Heidi Mendoza, a conscientious auditor featured in this EheM!Plo
video-documentary. ‘It is because of corruption that there is poverty,’ argues former Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo. They are correct. Corruption ruins our democratic institutions – tempting any to be angry and hopeless. Young people, like Melonie Maglia of Ifugao, are longing for leaders with conscience and competence, not public officials who, according to Fr. Vhong Navarro, invent projects for selfish interest. Mayor Jesse Robredo and Allen Reondanga of Naga City prove that good examples do exist. They employ I-governance and community participation in their struggle to uplift the condition of the Bicol region.

EheM!Plo shows that indeed corruption is violence. If this is trure, then stopping corruption and spreading integrity are now the new ways of working for peace.

Screenings: 1 PM December 6, 6:30 PM December 9
(Filmmaker’s Reception), 6:30 PM December 11

OTHER KONTRA-AGOS EVENTS:

8 December, Saturday, 5-7 PM
PANEL DISCUSSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND ARTISTIC FREEDOM
IN PHILIPPINE CINEMA
FREE ADMISSION

PHOTO EXHIBIT AT THE LOBBY courtesy of the FREE JONAS
BURGOS MOVEMENT

Kontra-Agos Resistance Film Festival is an Initiative of ST Exposure and Digital Cheese in cooperation with UP Sining at Lipunan and the Independent Filmmakers Cooperative. Visit www.kontra-agos. blogspot. com. For inquiries about the festival write to kontra_agos@ yahoo.com

Fame is a power many dream of possessing. It is a power Luis Conrado is very familiar with, especially when he assumes his super-powered alter ego Habagat.

Having the power to fly with the eagles, the strength of a hundred men, and the ability to withstand pain and injury can sometimes pale in comparison to the shining, blinding power of fame.

Standing in that blazing spotlight for too long, Conrado does not notice the ones standing in the shadows. The architects of his fame. The ones who hold the true power.

Read the first three chapters of PELICULA at: www.davidhontiveros .com

Also at the site, a gallery of the super-hero Habagat. With illustrations by Carlo Vergara, Ian Sta, Maria, Kajo Baldisimo, Bow Guerrero, Ronnie Tres Reyes, Dennis Crisostomo, Arvie Villenia, Reno Maniquis, Oliver Pulumbarit, Aldin Viray, and Edgar Tadeo.

A WORD FROM THE AUTHOR

The seed for Pelicula was innocuous enough: very casual talk about some Internet rumour or other. Somehow, that spark collided with my long-abiding interest in live-action superheroics, and a novel was born.

Having completed the trio of Penumbra novellas (Takod, Craving, and Parman), I felt ready to tackle a longer story, and Pelicula appeared to have enough meat to warrant a novel-length treatment.

What ultimately emerged was not only something I hadn’t exactly anticipated, it was also a lot of things I’d never really attempted before in my fiction: it was a parody, a satire, a romance, and had gobbets of words and dialogue in Filipino and Taglish.

I’m proud of Pelicula, and extremely thankful to three individuals who helped in its genesis and in getting it where it is today: Nida, who saw it first in its entirety and gave it a thumbs up; and Carl and Budj, for all the support and help over the years.

And now that it’s toddling off onto the World Wide Web, I can only hope it amuses, entertains, and enlightens you, just as much as it amused, entertained, and enlightened me, in the process of putting it all together.

David Hontiveros
November 2007

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

David Hontiveros is a National Book Award-nominated and Palanca-winning writer, with three horror/dark fantasy novellas (under the Penumbra imprint) out in the market. His short fiction has appeared in such publications as Story Philippines, Philippine Graphic, and Chimera, while his articles and film reviews have been published in Philippine Graphic, the Manila Times, Mirror Magazine, and Manual. He currently prattles on about films and TV shows at http://fiveleggediguana.blogspot.com.

“Mona: Singapore Escort”, the sexy socio-drama film starring Iza Calzado, opens November 30, 2007 at SM Cinemas.

Produced by Bandit Films Inc., and Outline Digital Films, “Mona” is the story of a poor single mother who takes a job in Singapore , thinking she has been hired as a chambermaid. She discovers that she has been recruited into a stable of prostitutes. Thrust into a world behind closed doors, she must entertain clients with different sexual tastes, orientations, and deviations.

Shot on location in the Republic of Singapore , it is a story of struggle, despair, sacrifice, and Hope.

Go to your favorite SM Malls for the chance to win free tickets to the Premier of “Mona” on November 26, 2007 at Cinema 4 of The Block, SM City North Edsa, 7:00pm.

Iza Calzado and co-stars will have a theater tour of selected SM Malls on opening day, Friday, November 30, 2007, so watch out!

Check out “Mona” at www.banditfilms.us.

Mogwai Cinematheque, owned and operated by directors Erik Matti and Lyle Sacris, is finally launching the film club this Saturday, November 17, 9PM at the Cubao Shoe Expo at the Araneta Center. Film premier will be the screening of the film aptly titled "Chacon Son Cinema" a collection of short films by 31 filmmakers, all tackling stories about moviehouses. This film was produced by the Cannes Film Festival for their 60th Anniversary.

Bring your friends with you and be part of a community of film fans and enthusiasts hungry for films shown and not shown on local cinema, subtitled or dubbed, old and new, western and eastern, pop and obscure, informative or trash!

By Marinel Cruz
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Last updated 10:54pm (Mla time) 11/14/2007

MANILA, Philippines - The local independent movie scene continues to thrive and flourish.

Low-budget Pinoy films keep winning awards and getting rave reviews abroad; filmmakers earn grants from foreign-based financiers; and production outfits are always on the lookout for fresh Filipino talents through casting calls.

The government wants to help the movement and the mainstream industry as well by promoting the Philippines as an attractive film site. Last week, Malacañang issued a presidential executive order for the creation of the Philippine Film Export Services Office.

According to the newly signed Executive Order 674, the Export Services Group (ESG) "shall facilitate the institutionalization of a one-stop-shop system for foreign film and television productions."

Direct link

Aside from pitching the Philippines as a location site, the ESG will provide a direct link between foreign film producers and local artists, technical crew and facilities.

The agency is under the "administrative and technical supervision" of the Film Development Council, headed by Jacky Atienza. It shall be composed of an executive director and representatives from the departments of Tourism, Trade and Industry, Interior and Local Government, National Defense, the bureaus of Customs, Internal Revenue, Immigration, as well as from the Cinema Evaluation Board, Film Academy of the Philippines and the private sector, specifically from the movie and TV industries.

The ESG's chair is film producer Digna Santiago. Its first task was to join President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the recent business forum in India, where a Bollywood film producer has committed to shoot a film in the Philippines in December.

The ESG will also serve at the country's link to the Asian Film Commission Network (AFCNet), an association that aims to attract film productions to come to Asia. The ESG represented the country at the AFCNet launch in Pusan, South Korea in October.

'Signos'

Alfred Aloysius Adlawan's "Signos" bagged the Best Foreign Film Award in the 1st Lone Star International Film Festival held in Fort Worth, Texas from Nov. 7 to 11.

This is the first festival that "Signos" joined after its local release in August. The horror-drama film that tackles estrangement and going back to one's roots features Luis Alandy, Irma Adlawan, Ricky Davao, Nancy Castiglione and Chx Alcala.

"We didn't expect to win any award because the event wasn't a horror-fest," Adlawan told Inquirer Entertainment on Monday.

Chicago film festival

Meanwhile, the 4th Chicago Filipino American Film Festival was held from Nov. 9 to 11 at the Chopin Theater. It featured a total of 10 films―full-length features, music videos and documentaries, according to its website http://www.cfaff.org.

The Chicago Filipino American Film Festival was created in 2003 by the Filipino American Network (FAN). It aims to provide an opportunity for Filipino and Filipino-American directors, writers and actors in Chicago to showcase their works.

'Tirador (Slingshot)'

Brillante Mendoza's "Tirador" ("Slingshot") continues to get rave reviews from influential industry figures, most recently from Toronto International Film Festival programmer Cameron Bailey, who said the movie shows the director's "rapidly maturing abilities with digital cinema."

"Tirador," featuring Jiro Manio, Kristoffer King, Coco Martin, Nathan Lopez and Jaclyn Jose, had its world premiere at the Toronto IFF in September.

"This is a fiction film, but Mendoza's impressive skill is to impose a calculated narrative onto Manila's constant unpredictability, shaping its ground-level chaos into art," Bailey said in his essay.

'Independencia'

Raya Martin ("Autohystoria") made history as the only Filipino on this season's list of 28 winners to win a Hubert Balls Fund (HBF) from the International Film Festival of Rotterdam (IFFR).

Martin's film "Independencia," set against a backdrop of the American occupation of the Philippines in the early 20th century, won in the Script Development Category of the HBF, according to a statement from the IFFR.

Martin received his first IFFR grant or the Prince Claus Fund, amounting to 15,000 euros (P960,000), for his film "Independencia" as part of the 46 CineMart Projects 2007. The film was even chosen as the Best CineMart Project of 2007.

Arkeofilms

Arkeofilms, the independent film production company behind Mario Cornejo's and Moster Jimenez's "Big Time," is looking for actors for a short film adaptation of scriptwriter Butch Dalisay's story.

Auditions are being held from Nov. 10 to Dec. 1 for the roles of Sammy, a street-smart boy; Felipe, the smooth-talking single father; Connie, the strong-willed and poised school principal; Mr. Manalo, the rich businessman; and Julie, a young nurse grief-stricken by the loss of a beloved patient.