LOS ANGELES, USA – With the success of its second edition in Hollywood, the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) will now open its annual fest to Filipino filmmakers from around the world to provide more exposure and opportunities to Pinoy cinematic talents.
When the MIFF was launched in 2024, it screened only entries to the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). In this year’s edition, which ran from March 4 to 7 at the famed TLC Chinese Theatre in the heart of Hollywood, with a closing night at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, the “little film festival that could” screened eight films in addition to the entries to the 50th MMFF.
In the third edition next year, the MIFF will invite Filipino filmmakers from all over the world to submit entries in both documentary and narrative categories.
The Los Angeles-based festival will still welcome entries from the MMFF but it will expand to increase the number of films from Pinoys in the Philippines and various countries.
The plan to open the MIFF to more filmmakers was discussed by MIFF chairman Omen Ortiz with Don Artes, chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority, which organizes and oversees the MMFF, a beloved annual film festival promoting Filipino movies in the Philippines.
Don was recently in LA to attend the MIFF and also events by the MMFF in Southern California.
Best Actor Seth Fedelin. Contributed photo from Steven Lam
The MIFF has caught the attention and support of the Philippines’ First Lady, Liza Araneta-Marcos, who attended the closing night and awards gala at The Beverly Hilton, home of the Golden Globe Awards and other major Hollywood events.
She also graced the MIFF world premiere of Regina Aquino’s Faith Healers, an indie feature documentary on Filipino doctors in America, including some who arrived in the 1960s.
The MIFF’s decision to expand aligns with the First Lady’s advocacy to help promote Filipino films on the world stage.
In her message, she said, “What a truly proud moment to witness our Filipino and Filipino-American film luminaries coming together, side by side. Seeing our countrymen — regardless of where they are in the world — unite in creativity and passion is a testament to the boundless potential we can achieve when we work together.”
“May this be the beginning of many more meaningful collaborations that will allow us to showcase the very best of our talents to the world.”
Through CineGang Inc., a groundbreaking initiative towards boosting the Philippine movie industry, Araneta-Marcos seeks opportunities to continue uplifting local films.
Best Actress winner Morissette Amon. Contributed photo from Steven Lam
In the closing and awards night at the Hilton’s International Ballroom, some of the filmmakers and producers behind King Palisoc’s Song of the Fireflies may have thought of the sweet irony that their film, which was rejected twice by the MMFF, went on to win four of the MIFF’s six Audience Awards — Best Picture, Best Actress (Morissette Amon), Best Supporting Actress (Rachel Alejandro), and Best Supporting Actor (Noel Comia Jr.).
As the Audience Best Picture winner, the drama-musical bagged a $150,000 coproduction package deal from Birns & Sawyer, one of the oldest film equipment rental companies in Hollywood (think of such classics as Lawrence of Arabia, Easy Rider and Bullitt), run by CEO, FilAm Mari Acevedo.
Best Supporting Actress winner Rachel Alejandro. Contributed photo from Steven Lam
In her feature acting debut, popular singer Morissette romped off with the Best Actress honors for portraying Alma Taldo, a public school teacher in the dramatization of the true story of the rise of the Loboc Children’s Choir from Bohol to worldwide acclaim.
Rachel movingly dedicated her win to her dad, singer Hajji Alejandro, 70, who is recovering from a surgery. Until the last minute, Rachel was unsure whether she could fly to Los Angeles because of her father’s health condition. The good news is that Hajji is going home from the hospital.
Song of the Fireflies also nabbed a Special Prize “for promoting Philippine music, arts and culture through the inspiring story of the Loboc Children’s Choir.”
Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Tia Carrere. Contributed photo from Steven Lam
My Future You, about two people who meet on an online dating app but find they live in two different timelines, scooped two Audience Awards, Best Director (Crisanto B. Aquino) and Best Actor (Seth Fedelin).
Faith Healers garnered a Special Award “for spotlighting early Filipino healthcare professionals in America while touching on the history of Filipino migration and of the Philippines.”
The Kathryn Bernardo-Alden Richards blockbuster, Cathy Garcia Sampana’s Hello, Love, Again, scored the Worldwide Box Office Hit Trailblazer Award “for being the first Filipino film to gross over P1 billion at the box office and the first Filipino movie to break into the US box office top 10.”
Awards presenter Liza Soberano. Contributed photo from Sthanlee B. Mirador
Other MIFF prizes bestowed were the Visionary Award for championing Philippine cinema, Marcos-Araneta; Lifetime Achievement Awards to Boots Anson Roa, Ricky Lee, the late Lily Monteverde, and Vilma Santos. Vilma could not make it to LA but she sent a gracious acceptance speech via video.
Fil-Am actors Tia Carrere, Nico Santos and Gene Cajayon’s The Debut, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year as the first Filipino-American film to be released theatrically nationwide in the US and a significant touchstone in Fil-Am history, picked up the Trailblazer Awards.
The evening that witnessed Filipino and Fil-Am film creatives and stars meeting and fraternizing under one roof also paid tribute to the late veteran actress, Gloria Romero.
In another stirring moment, actor Reggie Lee hailed some of the Fil-Am first responders on stage who represented the many men and women who valiantly combated the Southern California wildfires.
He said, “Tonight, we honor their heroism and say thank you. Maraming, maraming salamat for your tireless and selfless work and for the many sacrifices you and your families have made for service to others, to us.”
Philippine First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and MIFF chairman Omen Ortiz greet Fil-Am first responders at the ‘Faith Healers’ screening. Contributed photo from Sthanlee B. Mirador
Grammy nominee Deborah Cox serenaded the first responders with a fitting song, Hero. These Fil-Ams included: Officers Edward Acedillo, Dexter Barras, Mariko Jackson, Eric Payumo, Arleen Rojas and Marlowe Viray; Fire Captains Allan Anolin, Arnold Anolin, Russell Arcebido, David Dantic, Jimmy de los Santos and Eddie Diaz; Sergeants Jonathan de Vera and Christian Ventura; and Battalion Chief Ramon Valdoria.
Deborah was joined in a rousing duet by Sofronio Vasquez, who also sang powerhouse solo numbers. Rachel Alejandro and Morissette closed the show with an inspiring song with the Immaculate Heart of Mary Children’s Choir and St. Genevieve Valiant Voices (both under choir director Pete Avendaño). Troy Laureta served as the show’s musical director.
Among the presenters were Tia Carrere, Mark Dacascos, Reggie Lee, Liza Soberano, Carlin James, Apl.de.Ap, Anna Perez De Tagle-Kline, Dingdong Dantes, Krista Arrieta Kleiner, KaladKaren (Jervi Wrightson), MJ Lastimosa and California’s first Filipina assembly member Jessica Caloza.
The Voice’ winner Sofronio Vasquez and Grammy nominee Deborah Cox deliver a powerful duet. Contributed photo from Steven Lam
As if the gala, preceded by a glamorous red carpet scene, was not hectic enough, a flock of guests walked to the nearby Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills for the unofficial after-party. Guests took turns singing with a live band fronted by vocalist Maricar Balague Cabasag.
The revelation was Annette Gozon-Valdes, GMA Films president and GMA Network senior vice president, who turns out to have a good singing voice and loves to croon. Of course, Morissette brought the house down with a ballad.
Dingdong Dantes, Ruru Madrid, and Sofronio made quite a trio.
Actor Manny Jacinto and ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ writer Kevin Kwan at a private party. Photo by Ruben Nepales/Rappler
On the previous night, Dr. Ron Rigor threw a party for the visiting First Lady at his Bel Crest mansion in LA, with Manny Jacinto, one of the finest Fil-Am actors of his generation in Hollywood, and Crazy Rich Asians writer Kevin Kwan in attendance.
With that guest list, Kevin can already make his next script, Crazy Rich Pinoys.– Rappler.com
The author is a cofounder of the Manila International Film Festival.
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