Cebuano documentary film festival opens

THE first Cebu International Documentary Film Festival (CIDFF) opens today at 6 p.m. at Ayala Center Cebu.

“It’s the best way to promote Cebu,” said April Dequito, executive director of CIDFF during the regular 888 news forum at the Marco Polo Plaza in Nivel Hills, Lahug, Cebu City.

The opening night features the film, “Pureza: The Real Story of Sugar,” directed by Filipino director Jay Abello.

The festival runs from Aug. 15 to 18. Admission is free.

It is organized by a group of accomplished Cebuano professionals and documentary film enthusiasts, such as Adrian Zen Pastoriza, April Dequito, Joseph Michael Espina, Lilu Aliño and Marie Ernestine Fajatin-Pegarido.

Dequito said the festival would help Cebu improve its economic, social and cultural status as this would promote cultural exchanges and awareness among its visitors, including foreign tourists.

Documentary films show real facts, show our place (Cebu) and are very informative, Dequito said.

“This is not just about film production, but film culture in general,” said Marlon Hofer of the working committee. Hofer said the festival offers a wide genres of documentary films.

Victoria “Bambi” Beltran, a Cebuano film producer and one of the jurors of the festival, said she was not particular about the film genre as long as the film is made by Cebuano film makers.

On Aug. 18, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., there will be a Cebu Film Market at the University of San Carlos-College of Architecture and Fine Arts in Talamban, Cebu City.

The CIDFF board members said the Cebu Film Market would invite film makers, producers and financiers to collaborate with them.

The film market invites filmmakers to submit project ideas, including fiction or non-fiction films, which can be at any stages of development and are seeking funds for completion.

“We are not just showcasing films, we are also attracting film makers,” said Dequito.

Twenty-seven documentary films will be showcased during the festival, of which 20 are for competition and seven for information exhibition only.

The two-day screenings will be held at USC-CAFA Theater on Aug. 16 and at the USC-CAFA Theater and Saint Theresa’s College Little Theater on Aug. 17.

The awarding ceremony will be on Saturday, Aug. 18 at USC-CAFA Theater.

The films are produced by amateur film makers from the Philippines, Spain, Haiti, Venezuela, France, Taiwan, Bulgaria, Congo, Guinea-Bissau and Bangladesh.

Dequito said they are advocating for public support of documentary films.

Beltran said they “produced movie and create culture.”

“Cebuanos are pushed to revive documentary films,” said Beltran.

Organizers of CIDFF will be honoring Gloria Sevilla, a veteran mainstream actress who once acted in independent Visayan movies, during the opening night.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama will be attending the opening ceremony.

Dequito said they are planning to host the event annually to make Cebu known in film making, and at the same time gain an international exposure. /CORRESPONDENT TWEENY M. MALINAO