LOS ANGELES, January 31 ------ Filipino star power shone bright along Hollywood Boulevard as Los Angeles welcomed a week-long celebration of Filipino talent and creativity with the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF). The historic TCL Chinese Theater will serve as the venue, hosting an array of Filipino films and their stars, hoping to captivate Filipino and American audiences.
Kicking off on Monday, the festival will bring 10 acclaimed films from the Metro Manila Film Festival to the heart of Hollywood. Among the highlights will be the record-breaking Star Cinema entry, "Rewind," starring showbiz power couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera. Dantes himself will grace the opening night festivities, setting the tone for a week filled with celebrity appearances.
Kapamilya stars, including Piolo Pascual, Janella Salvador, and John Arcilla, will also grace the event with their presence. Arcilla, reflecting on the global recognition of Filipino cinema, expressed optimism about the festival's potential to propel Philippine films onto the international stage. "We’ve been honored in different festivals around the globe in Venice, in Cannes, Berlin, Sundance, even in the United Kingdom one of my films was actually honored there and I was nominated for best supporting actor in my film 'Metro Manila' but we never really had that kind of recognition here in the United States. But America is very close to the Filipinos so I think it’s about time. I wish this even can finally move our films and this relationship forward,” Arcilla, who stars in "Penduko," said. Romando Artes of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) emphasizes the festival's role in bridging Filipino filmmakers with Hollywood creatives, and help foster global appreciation for Philippine cinema.
Amidst screenings and star-studded galas, the MIFF will present industry panels, networking opportunities, and avenues for collaboration between Filipino and American filmmakers. Tirso Cruz III of the Film Development Council of the Philippines highlights the festival's broader mission of inviting producers to explore filming opportunities in the Philippines. “As we continue to bring the films here and the stars and our directors and writers, we also would like to offer and give a chance for producers here to come home to the Philippines and shoot their movie here,” Cruz said. For Enchong Dee and other Filipino stars, the festival marks a promising step towards greater international exposure.
The MIFF will not only showcase Philippine-made films but will also symbolize a significant milestone in the country's cinematic journey, the festival aims not just to entertain but to elevate Philippine cinema to new heights.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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