LOS ANGELES PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL FILM FEST ANNOUNCES ITS INITIAL SELECTION OF FILMS AT SOUTHBAY PAVILION PRESS CO
LAPIFF is sponsored by GMA, a Philippine International Television Network
September 6, 2016 (Carson, Calif.) – LAPIFF announced 12 initial film selections and two (2) special screenings (2,000+ worldwide submissions were received) at a press conference held at SouthBay Pavilion located at 20700 Avalon Blvd., Carson, CA on Thursday, August 18, 2016.
The screening committee’s initial selections are films that have not been seen, and currently do not have play dates scheduled in Los Angeles or the surrounding area.
The following are the initial feature film selections:
“HONOR THY FATHER” (screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and Metro Manila Film Festival) 1hr 55 min: an idyllic family’s life descends into chaos when a couple, Edgar and Kaye, discover that the investment scheme they run is in fact a scam. With friends demanding payback and murderous big time investors at their heels, Kay turns to her opulent formalist church and asks to borrow their past donations. Unfortunately, the Bishop only gives her prayers. Edgar is then forced to reunite with his estranged family – the infamous Acetylene gang of robbers. Together, they plot to rob the church. Directed by Erik Matti. Starring John Lloyed Cruz.
“IADYA MO KAMI” (Deliver Us) 1hr 43 min: Father Greg, a diocesan priest, is reassigned to a parish up in the mountains. He embarks on a mission to help solve the crime, a mission which leads him to the discovery of his own personal salvation. Directed by Mel Chionglo
“STAR NA SI VAN DAMME STALLONE” (Van Damme Stallone) 1 hr 40 min: Vanvan, a boy born with Down Syndrome, dreams of becoming an actor. Told in the span of twenty years of his life and the lengths his mother Nadia goes to help her son achieve his dream – the difficulties of not only raising a special needs child but of being a mother facing this challenge against all odds. Directed by: Randolph Longjas.
“NILALANG” (ENTITY) 1 hr 32 min: Nilalang or Sonzai-sha is a 2015 Filipino-Japanese action horror film. It is about a local forensic expert who teams up with an heiress of an international organized crime syndicate originating from Japan. Directed by Pedring Lopez.
“END OF FALL” – Faced with losing his daughter, a widower attempts to cover up an accidental death, only to come face to face with his darkest desires of revenge. Directed by Joselito Seldera.
The following are the initial short film selections:
“GOT IT MADE” 11min 30sec- When her son presents her with an opportunity to sing again, Mila, a hardworking, underprivileged Filipina maid, must decide if she is willing to chase after her dream and leave the life she has grown accustomed to. Directed by Shawn Noel Semana, a graduate from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television and an officer in the US Navy.
“MANANG” (Sister) 3min– An animated short about a boy who tries his best to capture a manananggal, a vampire-like mythical creature of the Philippines. Directed by Vince Serrano.
“THEY CALL US MAIDS” 10min 12sec– The Animated true story of today’s migrant domestic workers, women from the Philippines, Indonesia, North Africa and South-East Asia, who go abroad to support their families. Told in vivid, hand-painted animation.
“JULIE” 29min 25sec –Julian Capoy – Julie as he is fondly called, has been working in construction for twenty-two years, hiding his real sexuality throughout his profession. His seemingly alternatively perfect life will change in a day, all because of a broken bathroom doorknob. Directed by Clanch Dayve Belleza.
“SEJOUR” 16min– A man who is lost in words while going through a process of acceptance after the death of a special someone. He wanders out one night and meets a beautiful prostitute in the red light district of the Philippines, she joins him in his quest to understand just what it is that he has lost, and where he might go now. Directed by Christian Lat.
“SUKAT” (Measure) 15min– is about a grandmother (Nanay Zeny) who is still working as a street vendor on the sidewalks of Mabini in Manila, despite being a handicapped dwarf, just to provide a good life and a bright future for her orphaned grandchild, Jasper.
“WAWA” 10min 12sec– A young boy’s journey as they lay his father to his final resting place.
Special Screenings:
“IMAGINE YOU & ME” – A young woman working as a caregiver meets a depressed man who is trying to get over his breakup. Directed by Michael Tuviera.
“VAMPARIAH” – Mahal is part of an elite squad of skilled hunters responsible for keeping the world safe from vampires and other creatures of the night. Her mission to rid the world of this undead threat becomes compromised when her fate intertwines with an aswang (a vampire of Philippine folklore).
All films will have English subtitles. Press and media pass requests must be submitted to losangelespiff@gmail.com. Sponsorship packages and VIP passes are now available at an early bird rate until August 31st at www.lapiff.org.
###
About SouthBay Pavilion SouthBay Pavilion in Carson, California, is located immediately off the 405 Freeway with direct exposure to over 300,000 cars daily in the Los Angeles trade Area. The 1.1 million-square-foot regional mall is anchored by Target Greatland, IKEA, Sears, JCPenney, the newly opened 13-screen Cinemark Theatre and 84 specialty stores and restaurants including other significant national retailers such as Old Navy, Children’s Place, Foot Action, Sheikh Shoes, rue21, and more. SouthBay Pavilion is a destination for more than 2.5 million residents within a 10-mile radius. The 4,500 parking spaces provide a convenient and safe shopping experience. The 200-seat food court features many of the most popular family restaurants in addition to exterior restaurants such as Olive Garden, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chili’s, Tony Roma’s, Panera Bread, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Wing Stop, Sansai, Chuck E. Cheese’s, Pieology and more. Amenities include conveniences such as family restrooms, full service Guest Services Center, Security escorts and over 200 events annually aimed at enhancing the overall shopping experience and serving the community. These events include several free weekly events for the community such as Kids Club, Mall Walkers, Farmer’s Market and Zumba Fitness Club. For more information visit www.southbaypavilion.com.
Los Angeles Philippine International Film Festival (LAPIFF) is an organization devoted to the advancement, development and showcase of Filipino Filmmakers/Artists around the world through film, providing the global community of entertainment professionals and film goers with consistent annual screening events and workshops. LAPIFF provides charitable scholarships and a forum where Filipino Filmmakers/Artists can be recognized for their gifts, have open discussions about their movies and connect with industry professionals for understanding on production, distribution, representation and acquirement.