QC gov’t to award most gender sensitive film in MMFF

MANILA, Philippines – The Quezon City government will be recognizing one of the entries in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival for promoting gender equality through the silver screen.

The Most Gender Sensitive Film award is given by the city government’s Gender and Development Resource and Coordinating Office (GADRCO), headed by Dr. Ruby Palma, in partnership with the MMFF board to pay tribute to gender equality and empowerment of Filipinas.

A panel of judges separate from the MMFF’s movie critics has been selected and convened for the award.

Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte said the panel would be composed of leaders in the film industry and gender experts from the city government, academe, non-government organizations, media and the education sector.

The winning film will be awarded a cash prize and a trophy sculpted by artist Sandra Torrijos.

MMFF entries now include independent or indie films under the MMFF’s New Wave Category, giving a wider field of choices.

Mayor Herbert Bautista, himself a former actor, said the city government was pleased to honor filmmakers who promote gender-responsiveness through movies.

“Such use of the motion pictures will encourage people to veer away from violence and other gender biases against women,” he added.

Aside from picking the Most Gender Sensitive Film from among the 2011 MMFF entries, the GADRCO will conduct an essay writing contest in public schools on the winning film.

The public viewing of the MMFF film entries – Enteng Ng Ina Mo, Panday 2, Segunda Mano, My Househusband, Shake Rattle & Roll 13, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow and Manila Kingpin: The Untold Story of Asiong Salonga – will run until Jan. 1, 2012.