MANILA, PHILIPPINES, FEBRUARY 28, 2021 — The Philippines returns to the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) in Germany amid the pandemic, represented by one competition film, one project, eight filmmakers, nine production companies, and two event participations to be led by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).
The Berlinale, now on its 71st edition, will have an industry online offer in March and a public event in June. The European Film Market (EFM), Berlinale Co-Production Market (BCM), and Berlinale Talents will be held from March 1 to 5.
A showcase of Filipino talent
The Berlinale Talent Project Market has one Philippine project in its selection, “6th Finger” by Sheron Dayoc, who is also the writer and co-producer. The coming-of-age fantasy-drama is a project from Full Circle Lab Philippines 2020, a project development program organized by the FDCP in partnership Full Circle Lab International. It was also part of the Asian Project Market of the Busan International Film Festival and Open Doors Locarno Script Consultancy.
Another Berlinale Talent Project Market selection is “Tropical Gothic” from the United States, directed by Isabel Sandoval and produced by Carlo Velayo. Sandoval and Velayo, now based in the U.S., were born in the Philippines.
At the EFM, the Philippine participating companies are BLINK Creative Studio, Digital Dreams, Inc., Rein Entertainment Productions, Animation Vertigo Asia, Mandala Video and Event Productions, Project 8 Projects, Fixer Ink Philippines, Man Overboard Productions, and Binisaya Movement, Inc.
As for the BCM Online Visitors Programme, the FDCP selected five producers as the country’s official participants: Ria Limjap for “Puppy Love,” Alex Poblete for “Paxxxion,” Geo Lomuntad for “Crème de la Crème,” Joseph Israel Laban for “Guerra,” and John Paul Abellera for “Seasons of Chrysanthemum.”
In addition, three Filipinos are in the festival’s talent development program, Berlinale Talents: editor and producer Cyril Bautista, actor and director Sheenly Gener, and producer Alemberg Ang, who will also be in the BCM Talent Project Market as the co-producer of “6th Finger.”
Read full article at FDCP Website.
MAN OVERBOARD 