Not long ago, acclaimed director Amable ‘Tikoy’ Aguiliz VI took inspiration in National Artist for Film Lino Brocka’s independent production firm, Cinemanila and turned it into a film festival that would nurture and present to the world the Filipino filmmakers and their stories. All he had then was a bag full of dream and a seemingly empty pocket.
But after ten years, ten years of overcoming adversities and challenges; ten years of colorful history marked by superb films from all over the world etching the minds of its viewers; ten years of paying tribute to these outstanding works and the artists who created them; ten years of exposing a new breed of film makers and giving them the venue to spread their wings; ten years of reviving the unblemished face of the Filipino Film industry, Cinemanila’s fame never dimmed. Not one bit.
Now, Dekada Cinemanila has become the “Festival of Festivals” and gives everyone a view of the true Filipino story with its theme “Raising Our Voices, Telling Our Stories” (Kuwento ng Pinoy, Isigaw sa Mundo). The opening night of the festival was held at Gateway Cineplex 10, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City last October 16, 2008.
A crowd composed of film critics, directors, actors, press people, celebrities and movie fans gathered to watch Cinemanila’s appetizer for this year’s festival, Sparrow directed by Johnnie To, which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival.
From October 17 – 29, more than 100 films will be shown under different categories which included those who will vie for the Lino Brocka Award (International Award), Ishmael Bernal Prize (Young Cinema Section) Best ASEAN Film, (SEA Competition), Digital Lokal, and Best Documentary. Other awards will also be given in the field of acting, screenplay and directing.
Seven films will square off for the Brocka Award which include works from the Philippines (Melancholia) Australia (Lucky Miles), Israel (Band's Visit), Iran (Night Bus), Iceland/USA/ Philippines (The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela), Japan (United Red Army) and Russia (Vanished Empire).
One of the country’s young filmmakers, either Joanna Vasquez Arong(Amihan), Ivy Universe Baldoza (Bunot), Carlo Obispo (Esbat), Nelson Caliguia (Inday Wanda), Vic Acedillo, Jr. (Kalawang Na Ginto), Christopher Gozum (Surreal Random MMS Texts Para Ed Ina, Agui Tan Kaamong Ya Makaiiliw Ed Sika : Gurgulis Ed Banua), Antoinette Jadaone (Tumbang Preso), Emmanuel Palo (Undertakers), Mikhail Red (Kamera) or Michael Juat (Frou Frou Ssh, Wag Mong Sabihin Kay Itay) may have the chance to place ‘Ishmael Bernal Prize winner’ in his or her resume after the awards night.
This year, Cinemanila gives its Lifetime Achievent Award to screenwriter Pete Lacaba who inscribed and immortalized Lino Brocka’s best-known works such as Bayan Ko (1984) and Orapronobis (1989). The laurel for Director in Focus will be given to multi-awarded Brillante ‘Dante’ Mendoza.
The awards ceremony of Cinemanila will commence at the Malacañang Palace on October 20.
The festival will be concluded with one of Broka’s masterpieces, Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim (1984) which was nominated for the Palm d’Or during the 1984 Cannes Film Festival.
Dekada Cinemanila is presented by the Independent Cinema Association of the Philippines (ICAP), the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP). This event is supported by Gateway Cineplex 10, Screen Australia and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and Philippine Airlines.
The 10th Cinemanila International Film Festival is also made possible by Cinema One, ABS-CBN, TBWA\Santiago-Mangada-Puno, Business World, Manila Bulletin, Solid Video Corporation, Scenema Concept International, Rene Barbier Wines, Orion Chocopie, Mike & Ike Candies, NU 107, XFM 92.3, ClickTheCity.com and Philippine Entertainment Portal. Special thanks to the Office of the President, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and the Department of Tourism.
