New tilt for local filmmakers

The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), organizer of the World Premiere Film Festival (WPFF), has added another section to this year’s film derby to be held in June. The “Filipino New Cinema” section will feature the latest from local directors who are “looking to make their presence felt in the cinematic world,” announced FDCP chair Briccio Santos.

A maximum of five films will be screened under the new section. The entries will compete for top awards, prizes and incentives, according to an article posted on the FDCP website.

The awards will include best picture (1st and 2nd place), best screenplay, cinematography, editing, musical score, sound engineering, production design, as well as best actor, actress, supporting actor and supporting actress.

Deadline for submission of entries for the Filipino New Cinema section is on May 6.

The WPFF’s goal is to bring together different countries in a world-class festival held in the Philippines, said Santos. Qualified entries are films that have yet to be screened elsewhere prior to the festival scheduled from June 24 to July 7.

The deadline for submission of entries for the Main Competition is on April 10, and April 17 for Cine Verde and Parallel sections. Other sections are Euroview, Asean Skies and Ibero America. The 2015 WPFF will run almost a week longer than last year’s edition. It will coincide with the International Film Expo, which will be held from June 26 to 28.