1st Annual Filipino International Film Festival in Los Angeles

Date: October 16 – 19, 2009
Where: Regency Fairfax Cinemas, 7907 Beverly Blvd, LA 90048 (323) 655-4010‎ (map below)
Ticket Prices: General Admission $10.00
Website: http://www.fiffla.org/
Festival Director: Jeff Solema

FIFFLA will be donating $1 from every $10 ticket sold to the Philippines Typhoon Relief Fund with Ayala Foundation USA.

Also, 40% of the ticket sales from the special screening of “Jose Rizal” will be donated to the Philippines Typhoon Relief Fund. We chose the movie “Jose Rizal” to remind us of our great history and our greatest hero. It’s the ten year anniversary of the the award-winning film Directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya and starring Cesar Montano as Jose Rizal.

FIFFLA would like to thank GMA Films for allowing us to screen this historic film here in Los Angeles.Philippines Typhoon Relief Fund will be given to the Ayala Foundation USA.

October 16th – 8:00 P.M.
“Jose Rizal”
Directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya
Cast: Cesar Montano, Joel Torre, Jaime Fabregas, Gloria Diaz, Gardo Versoza, Pen Medina, Mickey Ferriols, Monique Wilson, Chin-Chin Gutierrez, Pen Medina, Gina Alajar
A three-hour epic on the life and struggles of poet and patriot Jose Rizal, the national hero and martyr of the Philippines, this film was commissioned to mark the 1998 centennial of the country’s independence from Spanish colonial rule. Drama – Historical. Tagalog – English Subtitles (Philippines, 1999, 178 min). GMA Films. Special 10 Year Anniversary Screening

October 17th – 1:00 p.m.
“Dekada 70″
Directed by Chito S. Rono
Cast: Vilma Santos, Christopher De Leon, Piolo Pascual, Marvin Augustin, Carlos Agassi, Danilo Barrios, John W Sace, Kris Aquino
An adaptation of Lualhati Bautista’s prize-winning novel. Dekada 70 chronicles a middle-class Filipino family who, over the space of a decade, become aware of the political policies that have ultimately led to repression and a state of martial law. Drama. Tagalog – English Subtitles. (Philippines, 2002, 85 min). Star Cinema.

October 17th – 1:00 p.m.
“Hilot” (Midwife)
Directed by Neal Tan
Cast: Glenda Garcia, Ma.Isabel Lopez, Beejay Morales, Ricardo Cepeda, Pocholo Montes, Mike Lloren, Jenn Umali, Melissa Mendez, Empress Schuck
The movie is about the gruesome fate of the people who have gone through abortion and the gruelling effects and remorse it brought about in the lives of the people involved. Drama. Tagalog – English Subtitles (Philippines, 2009, 90 min)

October 17th – 3:00 P.M.
“Himala”
Directed by Ishmael Bernal
Cast: Nora Aunor
Based on a 1967 incident and news report, Himala was filmed entirely in the most arid Philippine tourist spots in Ilocos Norte, in just three weeks.
Tagalog – English Subtitles (Philippines, 1982, 120 min). Special Guest Cinematographer Ricky Lee will be presenting the film and will have a book signing afterwards.

October 17th – 3:00 P.M.
“Ang Manghuhula” (The Fortune Teller)
Directed by Paolo Herras
Cast: Eula Valdes, Glaiza De Castro, Emilio Garcia, Chanda Romero, Pinky Amador and Bella Flores, Angel Aquino, Epy Quizon, Mark Gil, Meryll Soriano, John Lapus, Candy Pangilinan, Tuesday Vargas, Harlene Bautista, Mel Martinez
Messina, an outcast and failed fortuneteller returns to her hometown to save her daughter Claire from a syndicate that aims to exploit her gift of fortune telling. Tagalog – English Subtitles (Philippines, 2009, 79 min)

October 17th – 8:00 P.M.
West Coast Premiere of “Brown Soup Thing“
Written, Directed, and Produced by Edward J. Mallillin
Cast: Kimee J. Balmilero, Jenilee A. Reyes, Cheryl Noe, Joey Guila, Rona Par, Sari Arambulo, Earl Baylon, and Wil Olandria
Follows the story of a young girl working on an elementary school video project about “What it means to be Filipino.” Comedy – Drama. English (US, 2008, 105 min).

October 18th – 1:00 P.M.
“Eskapo” (Escape)
Directed by Chito S. Rono
Cast: Dina Bonnevie, Richard Gomez, Christopher De Leon, Maila Gumila, Joel Torre
Set during the terrifying reign of Filipino despot, Marcos, two upper caste but very different strangers team up to try and survive the physical and mental torture they undergo after they are suddenly jailed. Drama – Historical. Tagalog – English Subtitles (Philippines, 1995, 114 min). Star Cinema.

October 18th – 1:00 P.M.
“Fidel”
Directed by Mark Shandii Bacolod
Cast: Lance Raymundo, Andrea del Rosario, Maria Isabel Lopez, Snooky Serna, Von Arroyo, Jon Hall, Fonz Deza, Jao Mapo, Justin de Leon, Mosang Marife Necesito, Nonoy Froilan, RJ Revilla, RR Herrera Roeder Camanang, Martin dela Paz, Cherry Alba, Ana Abad-Santos, IC Mendoza. Screenplay by Charlotte Dianco
FIDEL is a story about a Filipino worker abroad, on trial for the murder of his employer. His profile doesn’t fit that of a killer, and yet, he admitted the crime. Drama. Tagalog – English Subtitles (Philippines, 2009, 90 min)

October 18th – 1:00 P.M.
FIFFLA 2009 Short Program I
University of the Philippines Film Institute Special Presentation
“Gabon” – Directed by Emmanuel Dela Cruz, Narrative – English Subtitles (Philippines, 18 min)
“Lilip” (Sew) – Directed by Freddie Rex Yadao, Narrative – Tagalog – English Subtitles (Philippines, 9 min)
“Manikarya” (String Puppet) – Directed by Paula Victoria Acuin, Animation – English Subtitles (Philippines, 12 min)
“Ang Pasko Ni Intoy” (The Christmas of Intoy) – Directed by Charena Escala & Emerald Hidalgo, Documentary – English Subtitles (Philippines, 30 min)
“Agpansula” – Directed by Jobelle Catequista, Drama – Tagalog – English Subtitles (Philippines 26 min)
“Slideshow” – Directed by Paula Victoria Acuin, Experimental – No Dialogue (Some Nudity, Philippines, 19 min)
“Santakrusan” – Directed by Jumar Yap, Featuring – Mercedes Cabral, Narrative – Tagalog – English Subtitles (Philippines, 21 min)

October 18th 3:00 PM
FIFFLA 2009 Short Program II:
“The Journey: A Story of Urban Poverty” – Directed by Justin de Leon, Narrative – English (US, 12 min)
“Singkong Butas” (5 Cent Hole) – Directed by Herman Claraval, University of the Philippines Film Institute, Cast: Jake Lapid, Josie Tagle, Bernie Mercurio, Isaac Bahian, Arnold Corral, Lameck Bahian, Drama – No Dialogue (Philippines, 4 min)
“Multo” (Ghost) – Directed by Paul P. Puzon, Cast: Carina Afable, Karen Aguas, Michael Kuya, Drama – English (US, 11 min)
“Anomi” – Directed by Renei Patricia Dimla, University of the Philippines Film Institute, Animation – No Dialogue (Philippines, 7 min)
“Imelda and Gunter” – Directed by Ramon Sanchez, Cast: Liza Dino, Ramon Sanchez, Dana Wing Lau, Michael Miranda, Janice Villarosa, Comedy – English (US, 24 min)
“Puting Ilaw” (White Light) – Directed by Melissa Angela Penafiel, University of the Philippines Film Institute, Cast: Irma Adlawan, John Arcilla, Linda Villalobos, Carl Paolo Reyles, Drama – Tagalog – English Subtitles (Philippines, 11 min)
“Children of Manila” – Directed by Alessandro Molatore, Children’s Relief Fund, Documentary – English (Ireland, 15 min)
“Irene Fucking Jordan” – Directed by Paolo Herras, Cast: Meryll Soriano, Joem Bascon, Jaclyn Jose, Drama – No Dialogue (Philippines, 9 min)
“Children of the Sun” – Deep Foundation, Music Video – English (US, 8 min)

October 18th – 3:30 P.M.
“Tribu”
Directed by Jim Libiran.
Cast: Havy Bagatsing; Karl Eigger Balingit; Honey Concepcion; Mhalouh Crisologo; Charena Escala; Jamir Garcia; Rey Javier Guevarra; Apollo Labastida; Gilbert Lozano; Shielbert Manuel; Ira Marasigan; Albert Moreno; Resty Perez; O.G. Sacred
Taking place at present times, Tribu tells the story of street life in the slums of Tondo, Manila, a lower class suburb in the northwest portions of the city. Drama. Tagalog – English Subtitles (Philippines, 2007, 95 min)

October 18th – 7:00 P.M.
“Tambolista” (Drumbeat)
Directed by Adolfo B. Alix Jr.
Cast: Jiro Manio, Sid Lucero, Coco Martin, Ricky Davao, Susan Africa, Fonz Deza, Simon Ibarra, Mosang and Anita Linda
Ever wanted something so bad that you would do anything just to get it? ”Tambolista” focuses on one boy’s simple dream of owning his very own drum set. Drama. Tagalog – English Subtitles (Philippines, 2007, 90 min)

*Times and Dates are subject to change.

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