FILIPINOS continue to prove their brilliance and artistry as more films and filmmakers will join the Philippine delegation for the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.
The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) announced that there would be five additional films and two filmmakers participating in the prestigious film festival.
The films are I Am Ninoy (Ako si Ninoy) directed by Vince Tañada, Asog directed by Sean Devlin, Ten Across Borders directed by Chan Sze-Wei and co-produced by Alemberg Ang, Grace directed by Ato Bautista, and The Art of Detaching One’s Memory directed by Jan Carlo Natividad.
Meanwhile, award-winning filmmakers Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan and Isabel Sandoval will also join the other Filipino delegates for this year’s Cannes.
The 76th edition of the illustrious Cannes Film Festival will be held on May 16 to 27.
READ: Philippines goes to 67th Cannes Festival
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Cannes Docs
Courtesy: Film Development Council of the Philippines on Facebook
According to the FDCP, two films were shortlisted for the Cannes Docs category under the Marché du Film.
One of these is Ten Across the Borders, a documentary film co-produced by the Philippines, Singapore, Germany, and United Kingdom.
It follows the story of three trailblazers as they navigate the underground ballroom scene in the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and journey towards self-acceptance.
Meanwhile, the film Asog will be showcased under the Cannes Docs-In-Progress.
This Devlin film narrates the tale of a non-binary Filipino comedian named Jaya as they set foot on a road trip to join a drag pageant. This is part of their attempt to rise above the struggles they faced after surviving Typhoon Haiyan, which derailed their television career.
Cannes Docs is the documentary-focused section of the Marché du Film.
It provides a platform for networking, pitching, financing, and selling documentary films, as well as opportunities for industry professionals to attend screenings, panel discussions, and other events related to documentary filmmaking.
Cannes Docs-In-Progress, on the other hand, is a showcase event that focuses on films that are still in production or post-production.
It allows filmmakers to receive feedback and potentially secure funding or distribution deals for their work.
Marché du Film Market Screenings
Courtesy: Film Development Council of the Philippines on Facebook
The films Grace and I Am Ninoy will be featured under the Marché du Film Market Screening category.
The action-filled film Grace, directed by critically-acclaimed Filipino filmmaker Bautista, tells the story of a college student who pursues revenge for the death of his girlfriend. In the process, he brings down an elite fraternity, whose members and alumni are part of every powerful sector of Philippine society.
The Tañada film I Am Ninoy, on the other hand, recounts the life and death of the national hero, former senator Benigno Aquino Jr., during the tyrannic martial law period.
Focus Work in Progress
Courtesy: Film Development Council of the Philippines on Facebook
The Philippines also secured one of the six spots at the Cannes’ Focus Work in Progress (WiP) category through the award-winning short The Art of Detaching One’s Memory.
The program focuses on unfinished feature films from emerging markets.
It is designed to provide exposure and support for filmmakers from regions with limited resources and access to international distribution networks.
Cinéfondation Résidence
Courtesy: Film Development Council of the Philippines on Facebook
Prize-winning filmmaker Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan was chosen as one of the six directors to participate in the Cinéfondation Résidence. He will be bringing his film Hum.
His film The Headhunter’s Daughter won the grand prize during the Sundance Film Festival in 2022.
The Cannes Cinéfondation Résidence is a program that provides support to emerging filmmakers from around the world.
It also offers selected filmmakers the opportunity to develop their feature film projects in a supportive environment and access industry professionals, workshops, and resources.
Queer Palm
Courtesy: Film Development Council of the Philippines on Facebook
Actress and filmmaker Isabel Sandoval has been selected to be part of the jury for the Queer Palm. It is an independently sponsored prize that is awarded to an LGBTQ-themed film selected for the Cannes Film Festival’s Official Selection, Un Certain Regard, Directors’ Fortnight, or Critics’ Week programs.
The Queer Palm seeks to promote LGBTQ visibility and representation in cinema and to recognize outstanding films that address LGBTQ themes or that are directed by LGBTQ filmmakers.
