‘Fatima’ competes in Norway

Eduardo Ngo in “Fatima Marie Torres and the Invasion of Space Shuttle Pinas 25”

After winning best comedy in Aspen in the United States, Carlo Francisco Manatad’s “Fatima Marie Torres and the Invasion of Space Shuttle Pinas 25” is headed to Grimstad in Norway.

Manatad’s movie will compete for one of the top prizes, the Golden Chair, at the 40th Norwegian Short Film Festival or the Kortfilmfestivalen, from June 14 to 18.

The fest “curates” short films from different top festivals like Venice, Toronto, Sundance, Berlin and Kurtzfilmtage Winterthur (where Manatad’s film premiered). This year, 36 films from all over the globe will be shown in Grimstad.

The fest is considered “an important debut arena … and showcase for free and independent films.”

“Fatima” previously won best comedy film at the 26th Aspen Shortfest, an Oscar-qualifying festival. His latest short film, “Jodilerks dela Cruz, Employee of the Month,” will compete in the 56th International Critics’ Week section of the 70th Cannes Film Festival in France, from May 18 to 26. —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.