New York, USA – The 8th Annual International Film Festival Manhattan (IFFM) 2018, that attracts a lot of Filipino American audience because of it’s programming of numerous Filipino, was sponsored this year by LumoXchange and Philippine Airlines. The festive IFFM was held in New York City on October 17 to 21, 2018 at various venues that are in the reach of Filipino community members. The Opening night was held on October 17 at the Elmhurst Baptist Church 87-37 Whitney Ave Elmhurst NY 11373 featuring the faith based film “One Nation Under God” (USA) Dir: Lisa Arnold. The Awards Night was held last October 18 at the Kalayaan Hall, Philippine Center 556 5th Ave NY, NY 10036 featured the film “Sekyu” (Philippines) Dir: Joel Lamangan. Last October 19 to 21 the regular film festival screenings were held at the historic Producers Club 358 W 44th St NY, NY 10036.
From hundreds of submissions the festival showcased a quality selection of world class films that encompass all different genres of diverse films – narrative features, documentaries, shorts, music videos and student films. IFFM featured a lot of films from the Philippines including France, Italy, Sweden, Bulgaria and Canada. Website: IFFMNYC.com
Luis Pedron, Festival Director of IFFM said,” it was exciting to see filmmakers from the Philippines fly in to attend their screenings including Actress: Harlene Bautista; Directors: Dexter Macaraeg, Mike Magat, Mark Sicat De la Cruz, Arvin Belarmino; Producers: Kate Brios, Froilan Sales, Dan Masinsin. Patsy Ferrer; Philippine Center for Creative Imaging Operations Manager Jheng Bautista and Maindie Producer Ms Baby Go (IFFM 2018 Lifetime Achievement Awardee for Producing). I am honored to feature these talented Filipino filmmakers on screen and onstage during their Q&A’s. They are some of them most prolific filmmakers in the Philippines right now.”
This year corporate sponsors LumoXchange and Philippine Airlines partnered with IFFM to reach out to the Filipino American Communities here in the New York City area. The Pinoys in the audience were excited to learn more about LumoXchange and the new services of Philippine Airlines in NYC. IFFM also created a Pre event called the IFFM NY Filmmaking Contest. Various Teams of Filmmakers completed original 5 minute short films featuring LumoXchange and Philippine Airlines in their immigrant stories. The Top winners were awarded at the IFFM Awards Night on October 18, 2018 at the Philippine Center NYC with a trophy from IFFM and LumoXchange plus a Round Trip Ticket JFK – MNL via Philippine Airlines. The Winners were: Grand Prize Winner – “Disiotso” Dir: Mike Magat; 2nd place- Best Collaboarative Award – “Tawag” Dir: Cheska Paloma; 3rd place: Advocacy Award – “Kuya” Dir: Emir Khan Bautista (PCCI) and 4th place: Family Oriented Award – “Laya” Dir: Arvin Belarmino. “
“LumoXchange was founded to help U.S. immigrants send more money to their family back home,” said LumoXchange Founder and CEO Maf Sonko. “We are proud to be a sponsor of the 8th Annual International Film Festival Manhattan and celebrate the dynamic and vibrant culture of Filipino-Americans through film.”
“As October is Filipino-American History Month, LumoXchange is thrilled to be a presenting sponsor of IFFM — an organization that creates opportunities for our kababayan to showcase their creativity,” said Joshua Ang Price, LumoXchange Director of Marketing and Growth.” website: lumoxchange.com (Register and Use Code: IFFM for a chance to win $100 gift certificate)
As per Josh Vasquez, PAL Area Manager – New York ” We are excited to be part of the IFFM 2018 and would like share with our fellow Pinoys about the good news! Philippine Airlines will start flying NON-STOP between New York and Manila starting Oct. 30, 2018. Experience the fastest, most convenient and affordable way of flying to the Philippines on board a state-of-the-art aircraft, the Airbus 350-90, through the heart of the Filipino– Philippine Airlines.” Website: PhilippineAirlines.com
The International Film Festival Manhattan would also like to thank the Official Media Sponsor GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV and GMA News TV and co-sponsors Talent&Skills.com, Bella Skins Collection, VC Eats, Bali Kitchen and Basilia Women’s Foundation. Community Partners: JCI Queens, Kalye Solutions, Kids Philippines Inc., Vanny Tousignant Couture, Marco Not Polo
The list of Filipino winners at the International Film Festival Manhattan 2018
1) Lifetime Achievement Awardee : Producing Ms Baby Go (Philippines)
2) Best Student Film: “Kiss” Dir: Harlene Bautista (Philippines)
3) Best Production Design: “Chop Chop Blues” PD: Fritz Silorio (Philippines)
4) Best Cinematography: DP: Jameelah Rose Prado Lineses (Philippines/Saudi Arabia)
5) IFFM Most Popular: “Who Am I” Dir: Mark Justine Aguillon (Philippines)
6) Best Short “Black Palette” Dir: Fritz Silorio Producer: Kate Brios, Froilan Sales (Philippines)
7) Best Director Short “Public Service” Dir: Mark Dela Cruz (Philippines)
8) Best Actor: “Sekyu” Actor Allen Dizon (Philippines)
9) Best Actress “The Maid in London” Actress Andi Eigenmann (Philippines/UK)
10) Best Documentary “Revolution Selfie The Red Batallion” Dir: Steven de Castro (Philippines/USA)
11) Independent Achievement Award: (TIE)
”Am-Amma “ Dir/Prod: Dexter Macaraeg (Philippines)
“Kadena” Dir: Arvin Belarmino Producers: Patsy Ferrer, Dan Masinsin (Philippines)
Honorable Mention:
Dir: Vincent Veloso “Suburban Sepulchre” (USA)
Dir: Potri Ranka Manis “Mindanao: The Legends of Tabunay, Mamalu and Their Descendants” (USA)
Dir: Ricardo Catalan Jr “Reunion”(USA)
Ruru Madrid “ Magpakailanman – Takbo ng Buhay Ko” (Philippines)
Dir: Mariz Umali “I Witness – Behind The Banquet” (Philippines)
