Mary Joy Apostol in “Birdshot”
Mikhail Red’s “Birdshot” continues to travel abroad over a year after premiering and winning the top prize in the Asian Future section of the Tokyo International Film Festival in 2016. The Filipino movie was recently shown at the 35th Annonay International Premiere Film Festival, held in France from Feb. 2 to 12. “Birdshot” has been to over 20 film festivals all over the world.
Red’s debut film, “Rekorder,” competed and won the Jury Prize in Annonay in 2014. “Annonay focuses on first features, and my first trip to France was because of this festival,” Red recalls. “They’ve been really supportive and have invited ‘Birdshot’ for a special exhibition screening, even though it’s my second feature.”
Meanwhile, Red’s third feature, “Neomanila,” was recently shown in Rotterdam and is now headed to Osaka.
“I am happy that I get to reach audiences around the globe, and that’s what matters to me the most,” he remarks.
The Annonay fest presented 52 films, including 36 first feature films, this year and is considered “one of the most important cinematographic events in the Rhône-Alpes region.” —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.