Award-winning Filipino filmmakers headline 2016 Cine Europa
MANILA, Philippines — In celebration 25 years of the European Union Delegation to the Philippines and the friendship between the EU and the Philippines, Cine Europa is highlighted this year by a strong lineup of Filipino filmmakers who have earned a niche in Europe and in other countries.
Filipino-Italian filmmaker Ruben Maria Soriquez will discuss the Filipino-Italian co-production "Of Sinners and Saints" which will banner the annual film festival's premiere on September 17 at Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong City.
Soriquez may be a familiar face on primetime TV as he plays Liza Soberano's father on the series "Dolce Amore." Unknown to many, however, Soriquez has produced, directed and acted in "Of Sinners and Saints" for which he won Best Actor at the 2015 World Premieres Film Festival.
How the collaboration between filmmakers from two countries, Italy and the Philippines, produced an award-winning film cited by the World Premieres Film Festival, World Film Awards, Accolade Competition, International Independent Film Awards would be the highlight of the festival.
"Of Sinners and Saints" will be screened to limited audiences as screening is by invitation only.
Meanwhile, Cannes awardee Brillante Mendoza and Ruben Ribay will share experiences about how they made it to the Cannes Film Festival after a screening of their famous world class films "Ma Rosa" and "Imago."
Madrid International Film Festival Awardee Director Gabby Fernandez will talk about his own insights about filming "Mana." Producer Alem Ang, meanwhile, will discuss the connection between the Philippines and Europe, and how to make it to the prestigious Cannes festival. He will also touch on how audiences can watch films intelligently.
In a statement, European Union Ambassador Franz Jessen said this year's Cine Europa pays tribute to Filipino filmmakers such as Soriquez, Mendoza, Gutierrez, Fernandez and Ang whose works have been acknowledged in Europe.
Jessen said that this year's theme "Friendship" is most appropriate and timely as the EU Delegation marks its milestone 25 years in the country.
The ambassador said the friendship between the EU and the Philippines is the reason why Cine Europa has endeared itself to many Filipino movigoers, as he thanked Cine Europa partners through the years—Shangri-La Plaza, the Film Development Council of the Philippines, Arts Council of Cebu, Ayala Center in Cebu, the University of the Philippines-Visayas in Tacloban, the Visayas State University in Baybay, Leyte, Liceo de Cagayan in Cagayan de Oro City and Palawan State University.
This year's Cine Europa is expected to break records and top last year's audience of 45,000.
Jessen also thanked Cine Europa's loyal followers and patrons of the festival, which saw 45,000 Filipinos attending its screenings in 2015, breaking 2014's record of 36,000.
Now in its 19th year, Cine Europa is the only festival in the country which boasts of 24 European and four Filipino movies, spanning four months and covering 11 cities and municipalities from 11 theatres, malls and universities nationwide.
The film festival showcases the quality and ingenuity of European filmmaking from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
Cine Europa is presented by the European Union Delegation to the Philippines, the EU member states' embassies, Embassy of Norway, EU MS Consulates and its partner organisations from the private sector, academe and government agencies.
Mattias Lentz, the EU Delegation to the Philippines minister counselor, will be joined by Italian Ambassador Massimo Roscigno, Shangri-La Corp. vice president Lala Fojas and Film Development Council of the Philippines Chair Liza Di?o in inaugurating the festival on September 7 at the Shangri-La Plaza. The festival will be open to the public from September 8 to 18 at the Shangri-La Plaza.
Cine Europa will then take a road trip to Baguio City where the movies will be shown at the Film Development Council of the Philippines from September 20 to 25.
In the Visayas, the film festival goes to the Film Development Council of the Philippines, Iloilo City from September 27 to October 2 before heading to the Ayala Center in Cebu City from October 7 to 9. It will return to the University of the Philippines in Tacloban City from October 18 to 23 and will finally head to the Visayas State Universityin Leyte from October 8 to 13.
Cine Europa will then travel back to Luzon in Palawan State University and Robinsons Place in Puerto Princesa, from November 22 to 27.
Director Brillante Ma. Mendoza poses for photographers during a photo call for the film Ma' Rosa at the 69th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Wednesday, May 18, 2016. AP/Thibault Camus
In Mindanao, Cine Europa begins at FDCP Cinematheque in Zamboanga from October 12 to 16 and at the FDCP in Davao City from October 25 to 30.
Students and faculty from Liceo De Cagayan University from Cagayan De Oro will once more enjoy Cine Europa from November 15 to 20.
Cine Europa will culiminate at the FDCP's Cinematheque in Kalaw, Manila from December 6 to 11.
Cine Europa is, indeed, a living testimonial to the long-lasting friendship and the dynamic cultural co-operation between the European Union and the Philippines.
