Free access to short films at 4th Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino

Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, one of the flagship programs of the Film Development Council of the Philippines headed by Chair Liza Dino, opened last October 31 at the FDCP Channel featuring the Short Film Showcase.

Until December 31, all subscribers will have free access to 80 short films from our regions and film festivals, plus a special full-length classic feature: the restored version of “Anak Dalita,” a 1956 film by our National Artist for Theater and Film, Lamberto Avellana.

Avellana started making movies at the age of 23 with the film “Sakay.” The biopic was hailed Best Picture, giving him the distinction of “The Boy Wonder of Philippine Movies” in 1939.

He directed more than 60 films. Among his accolades are the Best Director of Asia Award in Tokyo for “Badjao,” FAMAS Best Director Awards for “Scout Rangers” and “Huk sa Bagong Pamumuhay,” and a Gawad Urian Lifetime Achievement Award.

Avellana’s “Kandelerong Pilak” was the first Filipino film shown at the Cannes Film Festival in France.

For being a trailblazing director for theater and film and for his numerous achievements in Philippine Cinema, Avellana was declared as the very first National Artist for Theater and Film in 1976.

“We want to make this festival more meaningful and relevant,” said Chair Liza. “We made sure it’s a solidarity event as we welcomed films not only from big productions but from other festivals like Cinemalaya, Q Cinema, Cinema One and the Metro Manila Film Festival. We are also showcasing never before seen movies in our FDCP Channel.”

Even if Sinag Maynila Festival was cancelled this year, some of its film entries will be shown at the 4th PPP. The FDCP is also making sure there will be films to be enjoyed by everybody in the comfort of their homes. There will be classics, documentaries, retrospective, as well as Pinoy films sent as entries to the Best Foreign Category of the Oscars.

The PPP is also jampacked with events starting with the Premiere feature on the CineMarya Women’s Short Film Festival, a session with directors and with women on the forefront of the film industry today.

CineMarya is a Women’s Film Festival that aims to create relevant women-centered short films that can inspire and empower women and men alike to make gender sensitization the way of life of every Filipino. The sessions will discuss each director’s journey in their labs and the production of their women-centered stories.

Also introduced in this festival is the FDCP Channel – the web portal and platform for screening original Filipino films and audiovisual content. It is a showcase of 80 short films from different regions of the country, playing from Oct. 31 through Dec. 31, including winners of the SineKabataan competition and the premiere of the CineMarya Shorts finalists.

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The two leads of upcoming BL series “Happenstance” are acting newbies. They are relatively new to the craft but are willing to learn and take on challenges.

Kiko Ipapo, 21, is a social media personality and influencer. He started as a print model before deciding to try his luck in acting. “Happenstance” is his first acting foray.

Jovani Manansala, 23, also entered the entertainment industry by doing several commercial ads. After that, he acted in television shows like “Ipaglaban Mo’” and “Maalaala Mo Kaya” and in the independent films “Mamu, And a Mother Too” and “Jolly Spirit.”

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Jose Manuel is grounded after his military father learned of his relationship with Luis, an activist. Wade, on the other hand, is reeling from a broken heart with Eric and while on vacation is caught up in the quarantine because of the COVID-19 pandemic. After the super moon, a portal seemed to open where these two heartbroken souls connect and open up to each other’s pains.

Written by Jerry B. Gra´cio, this GagaOOLala Original series is coming very soon on the streaming platform. The ensemble cast includes Bembol Roco, Rosanna Roces, Alan Paule, Angeli Bayani, Erlinda Villalobos, Ken Anderson, Shu Calleja and Ken Anderson. The series’ theme song, “Atin Lang,” was composed and performed by Mikoy Morales. The music video will be out soon.