The press conference was led by (from left) Anima Aguiluz-Slangen, Cinemanila festival co-director; Kaye Tinga, co-chair of the 2009 executive committee; Amable "Tikoy" Aguiluz VI, founding festival director of Cinemanila; Brillante Mendoza, chairman of this year's jury; and Robert Malengreau, international desk of Cinemanila.

"It's a privilege to judge other people's works. Nakakataba ng puso," says Brillante "Dante" Mendoza about being this year's Cinemanila chairman of the jury. In 2006, his film Manoro won Best Film and Best Director in the Digital Lokal of Cinemanila. 

Direk Brillante's Best Director certificate from Cannes Film Festival was displayed during the press conference at Fully Booked, Fort Bonifacio High Street. 

Robert Malengreau recalls that the jury head of Cannes approached Direk Dante right after the screening of Kinatay. This gave him the hint that the Filipino director would win in the prestigious film fest in France.

Cinemanila 2008 Best Actress Anita Linda was honored during the press con. She won in the Southeast Asia Film Competition of Cinemanila for the Adolf Alix film Adela. 

The stars of the film Panahon Na were present at the press con. (From left) Joseph Bitangcol, Luis Alandy and Lance Raymundo told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) that their film is about six people who get a second chance in life.  

After the press conference, guests were given glasses filled with white wine to toast the start of a new decade for Cinemanila.

Panahon Na director Sean Lim was also present at the event. His previous films were the sci-fi films Xenoa (2007) and Xenoa II: The Clash of the Bloods (2008). 

Anna Coren (left) of the CNN show Talk Asia interviewed Direk Dante and veteran actress Anita Linda (middle) after the press conference. The Filipino director will be featured in two CNN shows this year. Click HERE to read related article.

Aside from being featured in Talk Asia, Direk Dante will also be featured in the Asia-Pacific Screen Awards organized by CNN.

Direk Tikoy Aguiluz expressed his gratitute for the filmmakers who have actively participated in Cinemanila all these years: "I'd like to thank and acknowledge the filmmakers na nagpalakas ng loob sa 'min. Kasi, pinagmamalaki mo yung mga filmmakers na nanalo sa festival mo, the credits will go to them. Sila ang nagwagi, sila ang gumawa ng obra, sila ang nakipagsapalaran sa Cannes, sa Berlin. Sila ang lumaban sa bayan, the best filmmakers all over the world! Kami lang ang nagpalabas, pero we take pride in showing the film and discovering new talents."

Direk Tikoy Aguiluz was grateful that Taguig City Mayor Freddie Tinga (left) did not ask that the name of festival be changed.

"Hindi nila sinabing gawin itong Cine Taguig o Taguig CineManila. So, naintindihan kaagad ng aming partner na we need to maintain the identity of the festival. So, talagang, they just want to support the festival and to encourage the film culture and develop the audience," said Direk Tikoy. This marks the first time that Cinemanila will be holding the film fest in Taguig.

Theater actress Kalila Aguilos served as the host of the said press con. 

The Filipino film Panahon Na was screened at the Masachusetts Institute of Technology in June 2009.