Manila Film Festival shines a spotlight on short films
The Manila Film Festival (TMFF) is making waves by focusing on short films in its current edition. The festival has been featuring the works of eight student filmmakers, each of whom received a P150,000 grant to support the production and completion of their films.
The finalists include works such as “An Kuan” by Joyce Ramos, “Ballad of a Blind Man” by Charlie Vitug, and “Bahay, Baboy, Bagyo” by Miko Biong, among others. These films are being screened in select cinemas at Robinsons Manila and Robinsons Magnolia, with the awards ceremony scheduled for tomorrow at the Metropolitan Theater.
TMFF jury member Park Sungho, who is also the Asian Cinema programmer at the Busan International Film Festival, emphasized the importance of short films in nurturing young talent. He believes that short films have their own unique beauty and should be more appreciated by audiences.
According to Park, the crafting of a short film is more challenging than a full-length feature, as filmmakers have to build a captivating world with limited time. He commended the initiative of the City of Manila in supporting the festival and hopes that it will continue to grow and attract more filmmakers in the future.
Park also praised the Philippines for its contributions to the global cinema landscape, citing the pioneering works of directors like Brillante Mendoza and Lav Diaz. He expressed his admiration for the funding opportunities provided by Philippine film festivals, which go beyond just showcasing films to actually supporting the production and completion of projects.
Overall, Park described festivals in the Philippines as the “frontiers of Asia” and lauded the country for its rich cinematic heritage. He believes that Filipino film festivals play a crucial role in discovering and promoting new talent in the industry.
