FDCP Sends Off Six Filipino Films to the New York Asian Film Festival

In celebration of the lineup of six (6) Filipino genre films to be featured in this year's New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF), the Film Development Council of the Philippines held a Send-Off Press Conference for Filipino delegates last last July 10, 2018 at Cocoon Hotel, Quezon City. 

BuyBust directed by Erik Matti, Neomanila directed by Mikhail Red, On the Job directed by Erik Matti, Respeto directed by Treb Monteras, Sid & Aya (Not a Love Story) directed by Irene Villamor, and We Will Not Die Tonight by director Richard Somes were all represented during the Send-Off Press Con. Over the years, the finest cinematic works from the Philippines have been engaged and featured in NYAFF to connect with the Western audience to introduce our stories and visual works. 

“With these incredible genre films that we have from our country, the Philippines could really be a hub of genre filmmaking. We are very proud that through NYAFF, they have found a platform so they may be accessed by North American audience, including our Filipino diaspora. FDCP has assisted our delegates through our International Film Festival Assistance Program (IFFAP) and we look forward to them connecting with international counterparts for future projects and collaborations. We wish them the best of luck,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño.

IFFAP was granted to Filipino delegates, including Gawad Urian Best Actor, Abra of Respeto, producer Dondon Monteverde and directors Treb Monteras and Erik Matti. Director Richard Somes was also present at the opening of the Festival for the world premiere of his film, “We Will Not Die Tonight.” The same film was also announced as one of the official entries for this year’s Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino.

 
 The 17th New York Asian Film Festival in New York City, USA runs until July 15, 2018.

Filipino Films at NYAFF

• BuyBust (World Premiere)

Year released: 2018
Director: Erik Matti
Starring: Anne Curtis, Brandon Vera

Premise:

"Rookie police officer Nina Manigan (Anne Curtis) joins an anti-narcotic elite squad, whose mission is to conduct a buy-bust operation in the slums of Manila."

• Neomanila (New York Premiere)

Year Released: 2017
Director: Mikhail Red
Starring: Eula Valdes, Timothy Castillo, Rocky Salumbides, Jess Mendoza
Accolades Received:

Winner of Gawad Urian Awards 2018 - Best Cinematography (Mycko David)
Winner of QCinema International Film Festival 2017 Audience Choice Award - Circle Competition (Mikhail Red)
Winner of  QCinema International Film Festival 2017 Pylon Award - Best Artistic Achievement (Mycko David)

Winner of The Eddys Awards 2018 – Best Director

Synopsis:

"Toto, a teenage orphan, is recruited by a notorious death squad. Irma, the groups leader, soon becomes a maternal figure to the young boy. As the two form a familial bond, their loyalties will be put to the test when one of their targets turns out to be a familiar face."

• On the Job 

Year Released: 2013
Director: Erik Matti
Starring: Piolo Pascual, Gerald Anderson, Joel Torre, Joey Marquez, Michael de Mesa, Leo Martinez, Angel Aquino, Shaina Magdayao, Vivian Velez
Accolades Received:

Winner of FAMAS Awards 2014 - Best Picture
Winner of FAMAS Awards 2014 - Best Director (Erik Matti)
Winner of FAMAS Awards 2014 - Best Screenplay (Erik Matti, Michiko Yamamoto)
Winner of FAMAS Awards 2014 - Best Editing (Jay Halili)
Winner of FAMAS Awards 2014 - Best Story (Michiko Yamamoto, Erik Matti)
Winner of FAMAS Awards 2014 - Best Sound (Corinne De San Jose)
Winner of Gawad Urian Awards 2014 - Best Actor (Joel Torre)
Winner of Gawad Urian Awards 2014 - Best Sound (Corinne De San Jose)
Winner of Golden Screen Awards, Philippines 2014 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Drama) (Joel Torre)
Winner of Golden Screen Awards, Philippines 2014 - Best Original Story (Erik Matti)
Winner of Golden Screen Awards, Philippines 2014 - Best Visual/Special Effects (Dave Yu, Miguel Javier)
Winner of Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival 2013 - Best Actor (Joel Torre)
Winner of Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival 2013 - Jury's Choice Award (Feature Film) (Erik Matti)
Winner of Star Awards for Movies 2014 - Movie of the Year
Winner of Star Awards for Movies 2014 - Movie Director of the Year (Erik Matti)
Winner of Star Awards for Movies 2014 - Movie Cinematographer of the Year (Dix Buhay)
Winner of Star Awards for Movies 2014 - Movie Editor of the Year (Jay Halili)
Winner of Star Awards for Movies 2014 - Movie Sound Engineer of the Year (Corinne De San Jose)
Winner of Star Awards for Movies 2014 - Movie Screenwriter of the Year (Erik Matti, Michiko Yamamoto)
Winner of Star Awards for Movies 2014 - Movie Supporting Actor of the Year (Joey Marquez)

Synopsis: "On the Job is a Filipino crime thriller inspired by a real-life scandal in which prison inmates are temporarily released from prison to work as contract killers on behalf of politicians and high ranking military officials."

• Respeto (North American Premiere)

Year Released: 2017
Director: Treb Monteras II
Starring: Abra (Raymond Abracosa), Loonie (Marlon Peroramas), Dido de la Paz, Chai Fonacier
Accolades Received: 

Winner of FAMAS Awards 2018 - Grand Jury Prize, Best Picture (Treb Monteras II)
Winner of FAMAS Awards 2018 - Best Musical Score (Jay Durias)
Winner of Gawad Urian Awards 2018 - Best Actor (Abra)
Winner of Gawad Urian Awards 2018 - Best Supporting Actor (Dido de la Paz)
Winner of Gawad Urian Awards 2018 - Best Editing (Lawrence Ang)
Winner of Gawad Urian Awards 2018 - Best Sound (Corrine De San Jose)
Winner of Cyprus Film Days International Festival 2018 - Glocal Images, Audience Award (Treb Monteras II) (Feature Film), (Arkeofilms) (Production)
Winner of  Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival 2017 - Audience Award, Main Competition (Treb Monteras II)
Winner of  Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival 2017 - Balanghai Trophy, Best Film (Treb Monteras II)
Winner of  Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival 2017 - Balanghai Trophy, Best Sound (Corrine De San Jose)
Winner of  Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival 2017 - Balanghai Trophy, Best Editing (Lawrence Ang)
Winner of  Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival 2017 - Balanghai Trophy, Best Cinematography (Ike Avellana) (Tied with TM Malones for 'Baconaua')
Winner of  Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival 2017 - Balanghai Trophy, Best Supporting Actor (Dido de la Paz)

Winner at The Eddys Awards 2018 – Best Film , Best Supporting Actor (Dido de La Paz), Best Supporting Actress (Chai Fonacier),Best Musical Score, Best Sound Design, Best Original Themesong

Premise: "A poor aspiring rapper befriends an older poet after vandalizing his bookstore."

• Sid & Aya (Not a Love Story) (New York Premiere)

Year Released: 2018
Director: Irene Villamor
Starring: Anne Curtis, Dingdong Dantes

Premise: "Sid & Aya (Not a Love Story) follows Sid who suffers from insomnia and meets Aya who he hires to accompany him in his sleepless nights."

• We Will Not Die Tonight (World Premiere)

Year Released: 2018
Director: Richard Somes
Starring: Erich Gonzales, Alex Medina, Thou Reyes, Nico Dans, Max Eigenmann, Paolo Paraiso

Synopsis: "Kray (Erich Gonzales) is a stuntwoman, an aspiring actress, and all-around racketeer who can’t seem to get a break. A botched deal gone into a total haywire will challenge her principles and her skillset.

Anne Curtis For Buy Bust

Erich Gonzales For We Will Not Die Tongiht

Abra For Respeto