November 3 ------ The annual QCinema International Film Festival returns for its 12th edition showcasing 77 titles, including 22 short films and 55 full-length films, across 11 sections. Taking on 'The Gaze" as its central theme, the initiative invites audiences to explore diverse perspectives through film. Featuring a mix of Asian competition films, world cinema, genre works, and arthouse gems, The Gaze offers a rich and immersive experience that opens new insights into politics, gender, race, and more.
Festival Artistic Director Ed Lejano said in a press conference, "The Gaze celebrates how filmmakers use cinema to portray unique perspectives, ideologies, identities, and politics. In this festival, that theme resonates even more because it reminds us why we make films — to make a statement while offering enjoyment. Sometimes, the messages are overlooked, but as we curate the films, we realize that a film festival is truly where we celebrate all these diverse points of view."
Kicking off this year's edition is Directors' Factory Philippines, an omnibus film project created in collaboration with Cannes Directors' Fortnight. This initiative features the works of four filmmakers from the partner country and four from other nations — "Walay Balay" directed by Eve Baswel (Philippines) and Gogularaajan Rajendran (Malaysia); "Nightbirds" directed by Maria Estela Paiso (Philippines) and Ashok Vish (India); "Silig" directed by Arvin Belarmino (Philippines) and Lomorpich Rithy (Cambodia); and "Cold Cut" directed by Don Eblahan (Philippines) and Tan Siyou (Singapore).
QCinema 2024 will close with "Cloud" by acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Kiyoshi Kurosawa. Premiered out of competition at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, "Cloud" has garnered international attention and was selected as Japan's Best International Feature Film entry at the 97th Academy Awards.
Competition sections
QCinema 2024 will feature two main competition sections: Asian Next Wave and QCShorts International. Among the lineup in the Asian Next Wave Competition are films from three debuting female directors: "Don't Cry Butterfly" by Duong Dieu Linh (Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore), the Grand Prize winner at Venice Critics' Week; "Pierce" by Nelicia Low (Taiwan, Poland, Singapore), Best Director at the recent Karlovy Vary Crystal Globe Competition; and making its Asian premiere, "Mistress Dispeller," a feature documentary by Elizabeth Lo (China, USA), winner of the NETPAC award for Best Asian Film at Venice. Four other debuts include "Happyend" by Neo Sora (Singapore, UK, USA); "Tale of the Land" (Indonesia, Philippines, Qatar, Taiwan); "Viet and Nam" by Truong Minh Quy (Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, France, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, USA); and "Moneyslapper" by Bor Ocampo (Philippines).
This year, QCShorts has expanded to include films from across Southeast Asia, with six Filipino short film grantees competing alongside the region's best. Competing in QCShorts International are "Alaga" by Nicole Rosacay, "Kinakausap ni Celso ang Diyos" by Gilb Baldoza, "Refrain" by Joseph Dominic Cruz, "RAMPAGE! (o ang parada)" by Kukay Bautista Zinampan, "Supermassive Heavenly Body" by Sam Villa-Real, and "Water Sports" by Whammy Alcazaren from the Philippines. Joining them from Southeast Asia are "Are We Still Friends?" by Al Ridwan (Indonesia); "Here We Are" by Chanasorn Chaikitiporn (Thailand); "In the Name of Love I Will Punish You" by Exsell Rabbani (Indonesia); "Peaceland" by Ekin Kee Charles (Malaysia); "Saigon Kiss" by Hồng Anh Nguyễn (Vietnam/Australia/Germany); and the Locarno-winning "WAShhh" by Mickey Lai (Malaysia/Ireland).
Source: mb.com.ph
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