6th Pandayang Lino Brocka Festival kicks off August 29

MANILA, Philippines – The 6^th Pandayang Lino Brocka Political Film and New Media Festival, an annual festival of critical and cultural audio-visual works is set to be launched on August 29, 2014 at the University of the Philippines Film Institute, Cine Adarna. 

The film festival is a tribute to internationally acclaimed Philippine cinema legend Lino Brocka, who has produced countless films depicting Philippine social reality among which include timeless films Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang, Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag, Insiang, Bayan Ko, Kapit sa Patalim, Orapronobis, among many others. 

Brocka’s untimely death saw a decline in political cinema in the mainstream. Thus, in order to continue the path trail blazed by the great filmmaker for the next generation, Tudla Productions Inc., an alternative, non-profit group of filmmakers, students and cultural workers has taken up the reins of organizing the annual festivity since 2009. 

Headlining this year’s event is a forum on “The Relevance of the ‘National Artist Award’ in Filipino Culture and the Arts.” The timely discussion, spurred by a controversial issue involving renowned cinema actress Nora Aunor not being awarded the prestigious title. The said forum is slated from 9 in the morning until noon.

Following the forum is a continuous screening of film selections featuring works of upcoming filmmakers. The showcasing of films runs throughout the afternoon not to be missed by cinephiles.

Later in the afternoon, the event pays homage to the great cinema artist, Brocka by showcasing his life and works in a biographical documentary by Christian Blackwood titled Signed: Lino Brocka.  

Finally, culminating the affair is an awarding ceremony recognizing participating filmmakers and workshop facilitators of the 6^th Pandayan Lino Brocka workshop. 

The Pandayang Lino Brocka Political Film and New Media Festival is a cultural gathering that aims to inspire the creation and popularization of truthful, artistic and relevant audio-visual works that enlighten and cultivate critical consciousness of the mass audience.

Since its inception in 2009, the festival has continuously spearheaded political cinema production and distribution in the country, following Brocka’s belief that films and politics cannot be dissociated. The political film production created by the festivals are a continuing legacy of Brocka’s desire to develop what he calls “the Great Filipino Audience” which for him is more important than creating “the Great Filipino Movie.” 

With this goal in mind, the festival does not stop after a one-time screening in the local theatre halls of UP. The film festival is a two-part festival that will be also brought to various universities, workplaces, urban poor and peasant communities following its launch. 

The Pandayan Lino Brocka Political Film and New Media Festival aims to bring cinema to the local eskinita, marketplaces, union offices and picketlines in order to deviate from the mainstream production of films for commercial success and to reach out to the grassroot members of Philippine society. 

The festival believes that cinema and new media in the 21^st century are powerful tools capable of raising social awareness regarding the plight of the masses, similar to what powered Brocka’s films. 

As Brocka believed that works echoing the lives of the common masses are undying, so too shall the festival live by the same principles. The festival aims to actively engage the millions of Filipinos, regardless their social class and status, into discourse and yet further, social action.

As a festival of arts, the Pandayang Lino Brocka does not aim to be merely a display of works, rather, as a vehicle for socio-cultural reflection and as an ideological weapon to liberate the minds of the people.

Below is a detailed schedule of the film festival launch:

9:00AM – 12:00 NN FORUM: The Relevance of the ‘National Artist Award’ in Filipino Culture and the Arts 

1:00 PM – 6:00 PM Screening: 6^th Pandayang Lino Brocka Film selection

6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Screening: Signed: Lino Brocka by Christian Blackwood

7:30 PM onwards Awarding of certificates to filmmakers and workshop facilitators and trophies to exemplary works

– Rappler.com/Press Release