2009 marks the 95th year of existence of the Union Church of Manila. Its main purpose is to spread the WORD OF GOD so that its members and their sphere of influence can be United, Centered, and Maturing in Christ. The UCM strives to attain its goal through  various ways. One of these is to encourage the production and distribution of local and foreign Christian films so that this innovative and easily absorbed and assimilated medium can further God’s Word in the hearts and minds of the viewing public.

It is an accepted fact that films are a powerful force that can influence man’s actions. To this end, the UCM Library Committee launched the 1st Christian Film Festival 2 years ago which culminated in April 2008 with a weeklong showing of Christian films ending with the Awards Night. The team and those involved were encouraged to repeat the activity by both participants and those who were blessed by the films.  Thus the holding of the 2nd Christian Film Festival, renamed the GIDEON’S FLAME CHRISTIAN FILM FESTIVAL, which will be the last major activity of UCM’s 95th year celebration.  The Festival will culminate with weeklong activities from November 3-7, 2009.

The name is meant to emphasize that God’s great power can manifest even through seemingly small and weak ways to gain HIS purpose. This event will showcase educational, inspirational, and empowering films even as it encourages young talents to channel their knowledge and expertise to spread the Gospel to their public.

The GFCFF will commence with a cocktail hour at 6:30 pm on the 3rd of November. Then from 6-9 pm of the same evening up to November 7, three films will be shown daily.  These showings are open to the public free of charge.

The Gideon Flame Award will be given to the prize winner. Critically acclaimed foreign and local films will be interspersed with the entries. On the last day, November 7, Saturday, starting 9 am, children will be treated to films appropriate to their ages. The event will culminate with the closing ceremony, the recognition rites, and the awarding of prizes.

With around 100 movies screening over 10 days, the 7th World Film Festival of Bangkok is set for November 6 to 15, 2009 at Paragon Cineplex, opening with the new independent Thai drama “Jao Nok Krajok” (“Mundane History”) and closing with Jamaican rhythms in an outdoor screening of the documentary “Rocksteady: The Roots of Reggae”.

“The seventh year of the World Film Festival of Bangkok could be recognized as the seventh heaven of film lovers,” says festival director Kriengsak Victor Silakong. “The increasing number of quality and fun movies shown during the festival is evidence of the continuous development of the World Film Festival of Bangkok – the film festival for the creative and innovative generation.”

Each year, more and more filmmakers want to be part of the WFFBKK, and this year around 100 features and shorts will be showing in eight sections: Asian Contemporary, Cinema Beat, Cine Latino, Doc Feast, Short Wave, Guts Nouveau, Music & Dance a la Carte and Retrospective.

Alain Tanner, the veteran Swiss director, will be praised in the Retrospective section. Six movies by the 80-year-old filmmaker will be shown: “Charles, Dead or Alive” (1969), “The Salamande” (1971), “Jonah Who Will be 25 in The Year 2000” (1976), “Messidor” (1979), “Light Years Away” (1981)  and “In The White City” (1983).

Actor Jean-Luc Bideau will attend the festival as Tanner’s representative. One of Switzerland’s most talented and prolific actors, he starred in “Charles, Dead or Alive”, “The Salamande” and “Jonah Who Will be 25 in The Year 2000”.

The Retrospective section is supported by the Swiss Film Archive and the Embassy of Switzerland in Thailand.

“Must-see” movies in the festival include “To Die Like a Man” from Portugal, the Bulgarian film noir “Zift” by Javor Gardev and “Gulabi Talkies” a Kannada-language drama-comedy by Indian director Girish Kasaravalli. There’s also “The Wind and the Water”, a Sundance nominee from Panama and “Home” from Swiss director Ursula Meier.

Among the festival guests will be Tsai Ming-liang, one of the most celebrated directors of Taiwanese cinema. The festival will show Tsai’s latest work, “Face” (“Visage”), which was shot in Paris’ Louvre museum and features a cast of big names from France and Taiwan, including Fanny Ardant, Laetitia Casta, Jean-Pierre Léaud and Lee Kang-sheng.

“To Die Like Man” director João Pedro Rodrigues will also come for the festival. The opening film “Jao Nok Krajok” (“Mundane History)” is the first feature from Thai independent director Anocha Suwichakornpong. The production received support from the 2006 Produire au Sud Bangkok, the biennial workshop for new producers and directors in Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka held by the Produire au Sud Foundation of the Festival of 3 Continents, the French Embassy in Thailand and the WFFBKK since 2004.

Anocha, well respected in the world cinema scene for her short films, built her reputation on 2006’s “Graceland”, the first Thai short film to be included in the Official Selection at the Cannes Film Festival.

The opening celebration of the 7th World Film Festival of Bangkok will be held in the Infinity Hall of Paragon Cineplex on November 6, 2009 at 6pm.

The closing celebration will be held on November 15, 2009 in Discovery Plaza at Siam Discovery Centre with a “Celebrity Look Alike” competition for people who believe they closely resemble famous stars.

The closing film, “Rocksteady: The Roots of Reggae”, is a Swiss documentary that traces the origins of Jamaican pop music. It’ll be a free, open-air screening.

The 7th World Film Festival of Bangkok is co-organized by Office of Contemporary Art and Culture, the Ministry of Culture, The Nation, Daily Xpress, Major Cineplex Group Plc and Paragon Cineplex.

It is sponsored by Singha Corporation Co., Ltd., Thai Life Insurance Co., Ltd., the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Pioneer Electronics (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Secret Recipe, Discovery Plaza, Siam Discovery and Chateau De Art Co., Ltd. with cooperation by foreign embassies in Thailand and special cooperation by the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, the Swiss Film Archive, the Alliance Française and the Goethe-Institut Bangkok. Other media support comes from Mcot Public Company Limited, True Film Asia, Happening magazine, Bioscope magazine and Music & Art magazine.

The 7th World Film Festival of Bangkok will be held at Paragon Cineplex from November 6 to 15, 2009. Tickets are 100 baht (50 baht for students).

Awards for the 7th WFFBKK Poster Competition will be announced on October 19 via the festival website and all media in the Nation Group. For more information, please visit www.worldfilmbkk.com.

It’s a triple treat for film buffs as Instituto Cervantes de Manila brings back Película, the biggest annual Spanish Film Festival in Asia, at chosen venues in Metro Manila from October 1 to 31.

Due to the past successes of its first seven seasons, organizers have doubled the number of films (this year more than 40!), gone from one to three venues and lengthened the film festival. Cultural events have also been calendared, in line with the theme of this year’s festival: Locos por el cine or Adik sa Pelikula.

With new partnerships forged by Instituto Cervantes, the cultural arm of the Spanish Embassy to the Philippines, and the strengthening support from Spanish filmmakers, last year’s attendance by cinema enthusiasts is expected to increase this year. Last year, some 20,000 spectators attended the Festival.

“This year marks our 8th edition and we’re very proud of how far the Festival’s come in such a short period of time,” said Instituto Cervantes director Jose Rodriguez. “We believe Película has the potential to foster incredible growth in arts and entertainment and attract the best of the best-acclaimed Spanish and Latin American filmmakers to this area. We are especially proud of the reputation the Festival has developed over the years as a great local venue to feature and premier award-winning Spanish films.”

Selection of films will be divided into four groups this year: Official section at Greenbelt 3 Cinemas featuring Spanish contemporary and award-winning films; Spanish & Filipino documentaries at CCP which is a selection of 12 documentaries that bear testament to the growing vitality of the genre in the two countries; Spanish Cinema in 8 Films at the College of Saint Benilde featuring eight classical Spanish movies; and a selection of Latin-American indie productions entitled Cine en construcción (Films in progress), also scheduled at College of Saint Benilde.

Película kicks off on October 1 with an opening night featuring the movie No me pidas que te bese porque te besaré (Don’t ask me to kiss you, because I will). This comedy is about a man who is repenting his decision to marry and takes guitar lessons with “special” people to distract himself before his wedding. Gracing the opening night at the Greenbelt 5 Fashion walk area will be a dance performance by B612, a vertical dance company who was brought to Manila by Instituto Cervantes to display their world-class dance and lights to local audience.

Multi-awarded films such as El truco del manco (The one-handed trick), Una palabra tuya, Los girasoles ciegos (The Blind Sunflowers), Rotorno a Hansala (Return to Hansala), and 3 Días make their Philippine premiere at the film festival, which starts also on October 1 at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas.

Other films include El Nido Vacío (Empty Nest), a comedy that explores the gap that occurs when children grow up and move away from home; and Dieta mediterranea (Mediterranean Diet), a story about a girl named Sofia who was regarded as the “best chef in the world” and the two men who helped her become a legend.

On October 7, Película gives tribute to Mexico’s film industry with the Mexican Cinema Night. Headlining this evening 2008 San Diego Latino Film Festival, La Zona (The Zone), a film about a wealthy compound surrounded by walls and surveillance system to protect the locals against the violence of the slums.

Running at the De La Salle University- College of St. Benilde (DLSU-CSB) from October 1 to 31 is a photo exhibition on the evolution of the Spanish cinema. Tagged as Crónica Visual del Cine Español (A Visual Chronicle of Spanish Cinema), the exhibit will be divided into the three periods of the Spanish cinema, aiming to recreate the journey of the films from the old Europe and Latin American tradition to the current contemporary style.

Alongside the exhibits at the DLSU-CSB will be a series of workshops on scriptwriting and editing as well as the showcasing of Latin American indie films. On October 14, 12:30 p.m., Chilean director Oscar Cardenas will grace the DLSU-CSB for the Asian premiere of his film Rabia.

Meanwhile, from October 7 to 31 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is a photo exhibit on Filipino Filmmakers by renowned Spanish photographer Óscar Orengo. Featured in the exhibit – the first of its kind in the country – are local directors and actors from different generations like Peque Gallaga, Brilliante Mendoza, Lav Diaz and many more.

That same day, October 7, No todo es verdad, a selection of Filipino and Spanish documentaries will also begin at the CCP Dream Theater.

Película is organized by Instituto Cervantes, in cooperation with the Spanish Embassy in the Philippines, AECID, Ministerio de Cultura of Spain, Filmoteca del Ministerio de AA.EE. de España, Cine en Construcción, Spanish Program for Cultural Cooperation, Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day, LRT, MRT, Cultural Center of the Philippines, College of St.Benilde, Greenbelt and Ayala Malls Cinemas. Special thanks to Dusit Thani Manila – the official hotel residence, Qatar Airways – the official airline, Jaguar – the official luxury car, welovepost – the official post and design boutique and 2nd Avenue – the official TV media partner of Película.

Other sponsors are Alba Restaurante Español, Barcelo Café, Espa-Fil, Bai Capture, Icon Graphics, PostManila, Tooth Fairy productions, Mapfre Insular Insurance Corp., and Embajada de México. Media partners: Lifestyle Asia, Lifestyle Travel and Business Mirror, ClickTheCity.com and Spot.ph (Online), UR 105.9 and RJ 100.3 (Radio).

For more information, please call 526 1482 or visit http://manila.cervantes.es or www.pelicula.ph Instituto Cervantes de Manila is located at 855 T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila.

It’s a triple treat for film buffs as Instituto Cervantes de Manila brings back Película, the biggest annual Spanish Film Festival in Asia, at chosen venues in Metro Manila from September 29 to October 11.

Due to the past successes of its first seven seasons, organizers have lengthened the film festival to 14 days, with three different venues in Makati , Pasay and Manila . Several cultural events have also been calendared, in line with the theme of this year’s festival: Locos por el cine or Adik sa Pelikula.

With new partnerships forged by Instituto Cervantes, the cultural arm of the Spanish government, and the strengthening support from Spanish filmmakers, last year’s attendance by cinema enthusiasts is expected to increase this year. Last year, ticket sales was recorded at 15,000.

Opening this year’s festival at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) on September 29, is an exhibit on Filipino Filmmakers by renowned Spanish photographer Oscar Orengo. Featured in the exhibit – the first of its kind in the country – are local directors and actors from different generations like Eddie Romero, Peque Gallaga, Brillante Mendoza, Lav Diaz, and others.

That same day, will also be inaugurated at the CCP a selection of Filipino and Spanish documentaries. It will be followed by a dance performance by the Danza Vertical group who will display their world-class production to local audience.

On October 1, Película will kick off at Greenbelt 3 featuring multi-awarded films such as El truco del manco (The one-handed trick), Camino (The Way), Los girasoles ciegos (The Blind Sunflowers), Rotorno a Hansala (Return to Hansala), and 3 Días.

Other films include El Nido Vacío (Empty Nest), a comedy that explores the gap that occurs when children grow up and move away from home; and La Zona (The Zone), a film about a wealthy compound surrounded by walls and surveillance system to protect the locals against the violence of the slums.

Aside from its line-up of films in different genres, the film festival also gives tribute to Latin-American films with the Mexican and Chilean Cinema Night.

Also on October 1, an exhibition on the evolution of the Spanish cinema will be featured at the De La Salle University- College of St. Benilde (DLSU-CSB). Tagged as Crónica Visual del Cine Español (A Visual Chronicle of Spanish Cinema), the exhibit will be divided into the three periods of the Spanish cinema, aiming to recreate the journey of the films from the old Europe and Latin American tradition to the current contemporary style.

Running alongside the exhibits at the DLSU-CSB will be a series of workshops on scriptwriting and editing.

For more information, please call 526 1482 or visit http://manila.cervantes.es or www.pelicula.ph

Instituto Cervantes de Manila is located at 855 T.M. Kalaw St. , Ermita, Manila .

The chosen works speak on a wide range of socio-political themes: poverty and underdevelopment, migrants situation, workers and peasant situation, war and peace, gender, corruption and traditional politics, human rights and political repression, US imperialism and children and youth situation. Some works attempt to expose a situation or social phenomena. Some works educate while some call for collective action. Simply, the works chosen are deemed truthful, relevant and artistic ad representative of our times and the needs and welfare of the people.

True also to the theme of the festival, works of varying types have been submitted and selected, from full-length feature films and documentaries to PSAs, music videos and poetry in motion.

Selected works came from students, film collectives and professional media practitioners. Works also come from the different parts of the country while some have also been submitted from Filipinos abroad.

Such enthusiasm from a short two-month submission of entries goes to show that many filmmakers still portray people’s issues and struggles in their works, with nascent or conscious efforts for the betterment of people’s plight. This is a good step forward.

The full roster of the selected films will be shown at the University of the Philippines Diliman Film Institute from August 5 to 6, 2009. Selected works will be shown at the Asia Pacific College in August 10 and in the communities and workplaces in Quezon City, Manila and Muntinlupa. The festival will run from August 5-28, 2009 (and more film preview dates are coming up in September in other areas in Metro Manila).

For inquiries about the festival, e-mail the tudla_productions@yahoo.com.