2nd MIFF in Hollywood The 2nd Metro Manila International Film Festival Team is shown with stars and filmmakers on the red carpet during the press conference at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Shown from L-R are Jeff, Enigo Pascual, Ruben Nepales, Janet Nepales, Cedric Juan, Piolo Pascual, Celia Abaya Dy,Omen Ortiz, Lisa Lew and Leo Dela Cruz. The festival runs from March 4-7. (Photo by Edith Andres)
The Filipino-American moviegoers in California are in for a great treat in this year’s 2nd Manila International Film Festival in Los Angeles that represent the artistry and ingenuity of Filipino actors and filmmakers.
A press conference was held at the TCL Chinese Theater in Los Angeles attended by the local media, filmmakers and artists including from the Philippines whose entries are among the 16 being shown from March 4-7 at the same venue .
This years’ MIFF event also celebrates Metro Manila Film Festival’s ( MMFF) 50 years of Philippine Cinema.
The members of the press were welcomed by MIFF Team led by the Festival’s founder and chair Omen Ortiz, Ms. Liza Lew , Executive Producer/Co- founder, Ruben and Janet Nepales , Media Relations/Co-founders, and Winston Emano, Media Consultant.
Describing the significance of the event, Ruben Nepales said ” MIFF brings the Filipino cinema to a broader audience”
A throwback from last year’s successful MIFF inauguration was capsulized in a video presentation called “What We’re About”.
Movie Screening Two of the filmmakers of the 16 entries in the four-day film fest are ( L-R) Harry Hartman, creative director of ” Songs of the Fireflies” and Maria Dianne Ventura, producer /director of “Eraserheads: Combo on the Run” ( Photo by Edith Andres)
The stars and filmmakers of selected films were presented to the press after which a question and answer portion ensued.
The films presented include: “The Kingdom” represented by Director Michael Tuviera , actors Piolo Pascual and Cedric Juan and its producers; “Magikland” represented by Producer Roselle Monteverde and Director Christian Acuna; “The Debut” with its writer John Manal Castro and actor Bernadette Balagtas”; Eraserheads: Combo on the Run with its producer/director Maria Diane Ventura, and “Song of the Fireflies “ with Creative Director Harry Hartman.
The four-day event will be capped by a gala on March 7 at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.
