Singkuwento International Film Festival opens its weeklong run at the NCCA with “Laut”

“This is our small contribution to the industry,” declared Perry Escaño, festival director of the 2016 Singkuwento International Film Festival Manila Philippines (SIFFMP), which formally opened is weeklong run on February 19.

The festival began with the screening of Louie Ignacio's “Laut” at the Leandro Locsin theater of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in Intramuros, Manila. It will conclude on February 27 with Joel Lamangan's “Sekyu” as closing film. This will be followed by an awards ceremony at 6:30 p.m.

Escaño said the annual indie fete hoped not only to give Filiipino filmmakers a venue for their films, but also “the opportunity to be discovered by local and foreign producers and film distributors.” Sixty-five films will be shown starting this week, 50 of which are by local and young directors.

“We will likewise showcase award-winning and critically acclaimed films for those who might have missed them in their previous runs,” said Escaño, referring, among others, to Adolfo Alix Jr.’s "Kinabukasan," starring Alden Richards and Ms. Nora Aunor, that will have a special screening on February 24, at 6:30 p.m.

“Lastly, the winning films of Singkuwento this year will be part of a series of special screenings here in Manila and in the provinces,” the festival director stressed. The tour of Singkuwento winning films will kick off with screenings at the University of the Philippines Film Center in Diliman, Quezon City on March 2, 3, 4, 7 and 8.

At the opening ceremony, Escaño likewise announced the names of this year's jury members, headed by New York-based director Redd Ochoa. He is a senior producer at the Redd5 Luke Productions and the director of the film “Baliw,” among others.

Joining Ochoa as jury for the festival's international category is French filmmaker Emilie Batard. She pursued a postgraduate degree in film at the University of the Philippines Film Institute. Her current documentary, about the plight of the Batad tribe in the Ifugao province, is titled “Our Pachao.”

Members of the jury for the local category are indie director Will Fredo (“Compound,” “In Nomine Matris”), Cebu-based cinematographer Steven Flor (Paperbug TV Productions), and journalist Marinel Cruz (Philippine Daily Inquirer).

SIFFMP tickets and festival passes are now available via TicketWorld outlets. The festival is supported by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), YSA Skin Care, Nailfiles and Juan.com.ph

For queries, please email mpjentertainmentproductions@yahoo.com.

Direk Loui Ignacio with Producers and Cast of Laut