It has been a decade since the Bulol was first associated
with excellence in filmmaking, ten years since the deity whose presence ensures
good harvest became the icon for the dream of presenting the best of Filipino
films to world cinema audiences and of world cinema to Filipino audiences. This
October, as the Cinemanila International Film Festival marks its tenth
anniversary, the time has come for that decade-old dream to give way to
another.
Dekada Cinemanila will run from October 16-29, 2008 at Gateway Cineplex 10, 4th floor of Gateway Mall, Araneta Center, Quezon City. P1 million in prizes will be awarded to the best in local and international cinema. The 10th Cinemanila International Film Festival is presented by the Independent Cinema Association of the Philippines (ICAP), in cooperation with the Araneta Center, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).
Last September 10, PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) sealed a partnership with Cinemanila for its tenth anniversary. This makes PEP one of the media partners of Dekada Cinemanila.
Just last year, maverick filmmaker Quentin Tarantino came to
the Philippines to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award and to screen his
film Death Proof (2007). In an interview with PEP last year, the
Hollywood director expressed his appreciation for Filipino filmmakers,
particularly Eddie Romero, Gerry De Leon, Cirio H. Santiago, and Pablo Suarez. (Click HERE for related article)
Since its inception in 1999, Cinemanila has become the
launching pad for the new breed of Filipino filmmakers. Past winners like John
Torres, Lav Diaz, and Raya Martin went on to create waves in both the local and
international arenas. Cinemanila has also been at the forefront in recent
developments in local cinema. Most notable of which is the 1st Boracay
Co-Production Meeting. Together with
the Hubert Bals Fund of Rotterdam IFF, Cinemanila has initiated the first
international platform in the Philippines dedicated to awarding partial grants
to the most promising filmmakers from all over Southeast Asia.
Many prominent figures have also graced the festival's annual celebration, infusing Cinemanila with a dose of prominence and credibility. Famed cinematographer Chris Doyle, Hollywood stars Tia Carrere and Lou Diamond Phillips, director Fernando Meirelles, Pusan IFF founder Kim Dong Ho, and internationally acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi are some of the luminaries who have contributed their shine to the festival. Esteemed representatives from foreign film festivals were likewise present such as Olivier Pere from Cannes's Director's Fortnight and Wieland Speck of the Berlin IFF.
Today, Cinemanila can firmly stake claim to being the
country's premiere international film festival. No more wishing for Cinemanila
to bridge the gap between the Philippines and what world cinema has to offer.
This dream may have taken almost a decade to be realized but it was a journey
well worth it. Now as another edition approaches, Cinemanila welcomes another
set of challenges. It has also set its sight on another dream, to put the
Philippines back on the world cinema map. And just like it has done for the
past ten years, the Bulol looks on, expectant of another decade filled
bountifully with excellent Filipino films.