French Film Festival at 20

Time to head out to the cinemas as the French Film Festival will be running from June 3 to 9, 2015 in two venues simultaneously -- at the Greenbelt 3 cinemas in Makati City and at the Bonifacio High Street cinemas in Taguig.   

The 2015 French Film Festival celebrates two decades of bringing critically-acclaimed and blockbuster films to the Philippine audience, not only promoting the French culture but lending support to the local movie industry by screening classic and contemporary Philippine films. It is also worthy to note that for years, the French government, through its embassy, has assisted local filmmakers in bringing their films to France and has supported initiatives to preserve Philippine film heritage. 

To commemorate the 2oth year of the French Film Festival, two films will be screened at the red carpet opening night on June 3 at Greenbelt.   The opening French film, La Famille Bélier (The Bélier Family), tells the story of a provincial deaf-mute family that must deal with the desire of their daughter to study music in Paris.  On the same night, Taklub, Brillante Mendoza’s latest film and the only Philippine entry to the Un Certain Regard section of the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, will be premiering at the festival’s red carpet opening night. 

Here are the screening schedules in Greenbelt 3 and Bonifacio High Street cinemas (click to enlarge):

I had a great time watching the participating films in last year's French Film Festival that's why I am eagerly anticipating this year's run!

Tickets for each screening are priced at P100.00 to cover the operational costs of the cinema. Tickets are available at the box office or through www.sureseats.com. 

17th Edition French Film Festival

I love French wine and cheese!  French films? These I have to see as June 7 marked the opening of the 17th edition of the annual French Film Festival.  Dubbed Citi-Rustan's French Film Festival, it is part of the French cultural program, Francophil, organized by the Embassy of France to the Philippines and the Alliance Francaise de Manille.

The film festival opened with Michael Hazanavicius' Oscar Award-winning film, "The Artist", which is very appropriate as it pays tribute to the beginnings of cinema.  Furthermore, a selection of contemporary French films will be shown throughout the festival through the efforts of the Institut Francais and the Philippine distributor, Pioneer Films. 

Among the films chosen as part of the Citi-Rustan's French Film Festival are Filipino films that have been shown in festivals in France or whose directors have participated in French workshops or seminars -- "Busong" by Auraeus Solito, "Manila" by Raya Martin and Adolfo Alix, Jr., "Bakal Boys" by Ralstom Jover, and the short films "Little" and "Au Revoir Philippe" by Sigrid Bernardo.  These Filipino films will be shown the whole day of June 12 as a tribute to Philippines' Independence Day.  The festival will also showcase Brillante Mendoza's "Captive," a Franco-German-Filipino co-production, starring French actress Isabelle Huppert.  However, the screening is by-invitation only and organized by Star Cinema.

The French Film Festival is from June 8 to 17 at the Shang Cineplex of the Shangri-La Plaza and from June 21 to 23 at the Ayala Center Cebu, made possible by the ample support of Citibank and Rustan's, and the following partners Shangri-La Plaza, Total, Air France-KLM, Pernod Ricard Philippines, Mandarin Oriental Manila, Pioneer Films, Le Cellier Wines, Cultural Center of the Philippines, UP Film Institute and official media partners BusinessWorld, Highlife, Travel, Radio High 105.9 and Spot.ph.


For inquiries, please call 0915-3135891 or email at frenchfilmfest@gmail.com.

Asian Film Fest 2012

An interesting and educational event is happening at the Shang Cineplex -- the Asia As Our Society Film Festival.  The film festival will be running from May 17 to May 21, 2012 and will feature an array of films  from the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Japan, Lao DPR, China, and South Korea. Organized by the Asia Society Philippine Foundation, Inc., the film festival is open and FREE for all.

Below are the screening schedules and summary of each participating film.


May 17 (Thursday)
7 - 9 pm
DINIG SANA KITA (If I Knew What You Said) by Mike Sandejas (Philippines)


May 18 (Friday)
12:30 pm
3 DOA 3 CINTA by Nurman Hakim (Indonesia)
3:00 pm
THE GUAVA HOUSE (MUA OI LA SAISON DES GAYAVES) by Nhat Minh Dang (Vietnam)
5:30 pm
ONLY LOVE by Anousone Sirisackda (LAO DPR)
8:00 pm
FOREVER ENTHRALLED by Chen Kaige (China)


May 19 (Saturday)
12:30 pm
AGNI DAHAYA by Jayantha Chandrasiri (Sri Lanka)
3:00 pm
LASKAR PELANGI (The Rainbow Troops) by Riri Riza (Indonesia)
5:30 pm
WANKO - The Story of Me, My Family and My Dog by Isamu Nakae (Japan)
8:00 pm
HWANG JIN YI by Chang Yoon-hyun (South Korea)


May 20 (Sunday)
12:30 pm
NOSTALGIA FOR COUNTRYLAND (Thoung nho dong que) by Nhat Minh Dang (Vietnam)
3:00 pm
ECLAIR by Akio Kondo (Japan)
5:30 pm
SPEEDY SCANDAL by Kang Hyeong-cheoi (Korea)
8:00 pm
THE FOUNDING OF A REPUBLIC by Han Sanping, Huang Jianxin (China)


May 21 (Monday)
12:30 pm
GLITTERING DAY by An Zhanjun (China)
3:00 pm
DEEWARI by Salinda Perera (Sri Lanka)
5:30 pm
JAKARTA MAGHRIB by Salman Aristo (Indonesia)
8:00 pm
HALAW by Sheron Dayoc (Philippines)

For those planning to watch the films, please be at the Shang Cineplex at least an hour before the showtime to claim the free ticket/s as they are issued on a first come, first served basis.




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