In honor of the Buwan ng Wika, Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) partners with commercial theaters to exclusively screen Filipino films nationwide from Aug. 16 to 22.
Dubbed as Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP), the weeklong celebration will feature a dozen of Filipino films vying for the Audience and Critics Choice Awards, which are the only awards that will be given out before the conclusion of the event.
“ Our main goal is to give more platforms for films to screen exclusively. We know the competition between foreign films and locally produced ones. So, this festival aims to highlight Filipino films and give them the right amount of exposure they deserve. The awards night will happen on Aug. 19, which coincides with the birthday of Manuel L. Quezon,” FDCP Chairperson Liza Diño told Manila Standard.
Diño added that each film will have a guaranteed screening for three days in 60 screens. So, no film will be pulled out in case it would not perform well in the box office. She also noted that the new film festival is very different from any other existing festival for local films. First, the festival is going to be a nationwide event backed by the National Cinema Association of the Philippines and SM Lifestyle Entertainment generous support ensuring each entry’s commercial success.
“In a larger scope, we are thinking about this idea since film is a very important part of our cultural development. We hope that the economic aspect of this industry will also be taken into consideration for us to see move development,” the FDCP chairman noted.
In a press conference held on Friday, FDCP, led by Diño, formally named the films that will be part of the week-long festival. They are: 100 Tula Para Kay Stella, Ang Manananggal Sa Unit 23B, AWOL, Bar Boys, Birdshot, Hamog, Paglipay (Crossing), Patay Na Si Hesus, Pauwi Na (Pedicab), Salvage, Star na Si Van Damme Stallone, and Triptiko.
“We are very proud and happy to announce this incredible roster of films that we are showcasing for Pista. Thanks to our reputable and highly regarded members of the PPP Selection Committee, we have a diverse set of quality films that I believe our moviegoing public will love,” Diño told the member of the press.
The members of the PPP Selection Committee are Manet Dayrit (editor), Oggs Cruz (film critic), Ricky Lee (screenwriter), Erik Matti (director), Jose Javier Reyes (director), Iza Calzado (actor), and Lee Briones (cinematographer).
“Through PPP, we are pushing the fold and giving the public a different kind of genre films – fresh, engaging, and uniquely Filipino – and those are truly something that we should celebrate,” Diño said.
The finalists are in various genres, ranging from family oriented to coming-of-age, romance, horror, and even action films.
PPP is a celebration of Filipino films in partnership with all cinemas nationwide, also in line with the Buwan ng Wika. The public can look forward to national mall caravans and school tours in promotion of PPP starting July.