The QCinema film festival 2017 is a movie paradise for all cinephiles

MANILA, Philippines – The QCinema International Film Festival (QCinema) 2017 opens at Vertis North on Thursday, 19 October with the Philippine premiere of Dorota Kobiela and Hugh Welchman’s Loving Vincent, “the world’s first fully-painted feature film” on the life and times of the controversial 19th-century, post-impressionist artist Vincent Van Gogh via his letters, paintings, and fictional interviews.

The festival ends on October 28 with a restored/remastered version of one of the country’s best Filipino films ever, Mike de Leon’s Batch ’81, which uses the vicious cycle of brutality in a fraternity as a metaphor for martial rule.

The festival runs from October 19 to 28 at Cineplex 10 of Gateway Mall, Robinsons Movieworld of Robinsons Galleria, Trinoma Cinema, UP Town Center; and from October 24 to 28 at Cinematheque Centre Manila on T.M. Kalaw Extension, Manila.

Since 2013, when QCinema started, “It has always been a launching pad of the country’s independent filmmakers. This is why we keep on appropriating up to million worth (P1-M) of production grants to select filmmakers and keep on refining our program. QCinema is unique because it allows filmmakers to own the rights to their movies and it is the only film fest that provides funding to directors of short films,” shares Ed Lejano, QCinema’s film festival director.

He adds, “We encourage individuality and talent in QCinema. And the results are outstanding: debut filmmakers are suddenly winning over critics from across the world. The stellar performances of our new talents are simply outstanding.”

Festival Passes

Single tickets are available at cinema ticket outlets at a discounted rate of P150 each. However, a limited number of festival passes are available at P1,640 (Festival Pass 10, for 10 screenings), and P830 (Festival Pass 5, for five screeningss). Both come with freebies such as a QCinema shirt, bag and sanitizer; and a notebook and ballpen (FP10) or coaster (PF5). Buy passes here. Tickets can be redeemed from 12 pm to 9 pm from October 20 to 27 at the QCinema desks at the cinema lobby.

Filmfest Programmers from Cannes, Venice, Shanghai

International film festival programmers from Cannes, Venice, and Shanghai international film festivals fly in from Oct. 20 to 22 to talk about international film production, and marketing and distribution of films at the Film Industry Conference (FIC) and the Film Producers’ Workshop (FPW) Series at Novotel Araneta Center.

The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) is bringing in these programmers, distributors, and marketing experts in partnership with the Quezon City Film Commission.

“These events are aimed at film industry leaders and filmmakers (who are) already immersed in the industry so they may be able to update, challenge, and innovate their perspectives on the current trend of both local and global cinema,” said FDCP Chair and CEO Liza Diño. “These will also (serve as) platforms to explore new ideas and concepts on how Filipino films and content can reach a wider market based on the best practices and innovations of other foreign countries,” she added.

Participants of The Film Producers’ Workshop Series will be able to consult and network with international speakers on the aspects of production and distribution. While admission to the FIC is free, there are limited slots; participants will be pre-selected. Log in via http://www.fdcp.ph/fic.

Circle Competition

Among the entries in the main competition are: Dominic Lim’s The Write Moment; James Robin Mayo’s, Andrian Legaspi’s and John Bedia’s The Chanters; Mikhail Red’s Neomanila; Pam Miras’ Medusae; Jobin Ballesteros’ and Jimmy Flores’ Kulay Lila ang Gabi na Binudburan Pa ng mga Bituin; Emerson Reyes’ Dormitoryo (Mga Walang Katapusang Kwarto); Christopher Gozum’s Dapol Tan Payawar ng Tayug 1931 (The Ashes and Ghosts of Tayug 1931); and Khavn’s, Achinette Villamor’s and Jerry Gracio’s Balangiga: Howling Wilderness.

Shorts

The short features are Phyllis Grae Grande’s Kun ‘Di Man; Kiri Dalena’s Ngitngit Nga Kinailadman (From the Dark Depths), Keith Deligero’s and Gale Osorio’s Babylon, and Ice Idanan’s Anya ‘ti Nagan Mo? (What is Your Name) for Shorts A.

Xeph Suarez collaborates with Cenon Palomares in Si Astri Maka si Tambulah in Shorts B. The other shorts in Shorts B are Epoy Deyto’s Pixel Paranoia, Carl Joseph Papa’s Love Bites, and Mike Esteves’ and Jael Mendoza’s Link.

Asian Next Wave

A competition section for up-and-coming Asian filmmakers with less than three feature films showcase Kiki Sugino’s Snow Woman, Kirsten Tan’s Pop Aye, Mouly Surya’s Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts, Le Binh Giang’s Kfc, Dong-Eun Lee’s In Between Seasons, and distinguished Chinese artist Bing Xu’s debut film Dragonfly Eyes.

Rainbow QC

Rainbow QC showcases a broad spectrum of LGBT narratives across the world: Dome Karukoski’s Tom of Finland, Jennifer Reeder’s Signature Move, debuting filmmaker Gerardo Calagui’s Mga Gabing Kasinghaba ng Hair Ko, Palatpol Mingpompichit’s Fathers, Naoko Ogigami’s Close-Knit, and Eliza Hittman’s Beach Rats.

A block party will be held for Rainbow QCinema – an LGBTQ-oriented programme – at the Manhattan Strip, General Malvar St. in Quezon City at 7 p.m. on October 21.

Digitally-Remastered Series

One of the reasons why one should not miss QCinema are the films under the Digitally Remastered Series which were remastered by the ABS-CBN Film Restoration group with international entries: Mike Nichol’s The Graduate, Michelangelo Antonioni’s Blow-Up, Pedro Almodovar’s All About My Mother, Mario O’Hara’s 1976 period film Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos (Three Godless Years), Danny Zialcita’s Karma, and Gil Portes’ High School Scandal.

Screen International

The critically-acclaimed films from across the globe are: Ruben Ostlund’s The Square, Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Killing of a Sacred Deer, Andrey Zvyagintsev’s Loveless, and Robin Campillo’s 120 Beats Per Minute (BPM).

Cinema Rehiyon

At the Cinema Rehiyon section, QCinema presents collections of films megged by regional directors: Al Enriquez’ Utaz, Arvin Belarmino’s The Death of Pablo, Darryl Yap’s Squatterina, and Angelica Gamolo’s Experimental Forest.

Before Midnight

Films under this section comprise “controversial titles meant to shock and stir cinephiles,” according to a press release from festival organizers. The films under this category: Coralie Fargeat’s Revenge, Eva Husson’s Bang Gang (A Modern Love Story), Jean-Stephane Sauvaire’s A Prayer Before Dawn, and Trent Haaga’s 68 Kill.

International Shorts

Award-winning short features will be screened under International Shorts:
Matthew Rankin’s Tesla World Light, Sam Kuhn’s Mobius, Jacqueline lentzou’s Hiwa, Farmoosh Samadi’s Gaze, Sorayos Prapapan’s Death of a Soundman, Bibhusan Basnet’s and Pooja Gurung’s Dadyaa, Leonor Teles’ Batrachian’s Ballad, and Qiu Yang’s A Gentle Night.

Special Screenings

To be showcased under Special Screenings are thrillers such as S. Leo Chiang’s and Johnny Symon’s Out Run, Aurel Ayson’s Fading Paradise and Davy Chou’s Diamond Island.

For more information, visit www.qcinema.ph, the official FDCP page, or e-mail info@fdcp.ph. – Rappler.com