‘Birdshot’ goes to Palm Springs

Arnold Reyes (left) and John Arcilla in “Birdshot”

Although Mikhail Red’s “Birdshot” failed to land a spot on the Academy Awards’ Top 9 short list for best foreign language film, it will be featured in the 29th Palm Springs International Film Festival in California, from Jan. 2 to 15, 2018.

“Birdshot,” the country’s official Oscar bet, is the only Filipino film in the lineup of Palm Springs, one of the biggest festivals in North America.

The fest’s website commends Red’s film for “unwittingly raising questions [on] the value of human life in a country where those lives can seem expendable.”

The screenings of Red’s film are on Jan. 8 (7:30 p.m. at Mary Pickford is D’Place) and on Jan. 9 (3 p.m. at Regal Cinemas).

Red told the Inquirer: “I’m excited, as always. It’s a big festival with heavyweight titles, including a Steven Spielberg movie [“The Post”] as its opening film.”

He explained that Palm Springs is the first festival of “Birdshot” for 2018.

“We didn’t make it to the Oscars, but we are still quite proud of what the film has achieved,” he pointed out.

“It opened doors for everyone involved in the production. We’re taking a step toward the right direction.”

Next stop for Red is the Star Cinema coproduction, “Eerie,” which topbills Charo Santos and Bea Alonzo.

“Getting financing for my next projects is now easier after the recognition from ‘Birdshot,’” he remarked. “It has changed my life and for that I’m grateful.” —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.