An Oscar win for a Filipino film is a shot in the dark. Philippine entries to the Best Foreign Language Film category of the Oscars, like “Ploning” and “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank” failed to make it because it lacked funds for the required massive promotions, getting distributors abroad, screeners, etc.
Award-winning director Tikoy Aguiluz believes the Philippines has a better chance of bagging the coveted award in the Best Documentary category.
“Ditsi Carolino (an acclaimed documentary filmmaker) should have won an Oscar,” Aguiluz said at the presscon for the 14th Cinemanila International Film Festival, which will run from Dec. 5 to 11 at the Market! Market! Cinemas, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
Something new
Problem is, while he believes the Philippine audience is ready for documentaries, the idea of fielding one for the Oscars is something new. Aguiluz believes it’s high time the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) choose a documentary entry for the Oscars in addition to its bet for Best Foreign Film.
Cinemanila, for one has its own roster of Best Documentary entries from around the world.
More than that, it’s screening over 40 films from over 20 countries in its five-day run. Among these films are Cannes 2012 Palme d’Or winner “Amour,” Venice International Filmfest entry “Something in the Air,” and Cannes 2012 main competition entry “In Another Country.”
The Philippine lineup is made up of films by Lav Diaz (the award-winning “Florentina Hubaldo, CTE”), Raya Martin (“The Great Cinema Party) and “Sherad Anthony Sanchez” (Jungle Love”).
“We are bringing the best of world cinema to the Philippines,” Aguiluz declares. He adds that a jury made up of Filipino and foreign filmmakers will proclaim the best of the lot in an awards night on Saturday, Dec. 8 at the Bonifacio Global City Amphitheater.
Harana Night
“We are putting up a big for the outdoor event called the ‘Harana Night’. Harana masters will serenade beauty queens on stage,” states Tikoy.
The director is proud of the fact that Cinemanila has been a launching pad for the careers of acclaimed filmmakers Lav Diaz, Raya Martin and Mes de Guzman.
The stars of the festival, he adds, are the filmmakers, whose independent stories the festival has been supporting for 14 years.
The festival, he goes on, will pay tribute to the late directors Marilou Diaz-Abaya, Mario O’hara and indie movie producer Tony Veloria.
Tikoy is negotiating with the late director Celso Ad. Castillo’s son for a possible screening of one of his (Celso Ad.’s) films.
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