Int’l docu fest to open in Cebu

AN international film festival scheduled in Cebu will showcase the talents of both local film makers and directors around the country.

Adrian Zen Pastoriza, board member of the Cebu International Documentary Film Festival (CIDFF), said the event to be held on June 13 to 16 will help promote the province as a haven for quality documentary films.

“Documentary is a special niche in film making industy. It’s about real people, Cebu has wonderful things to talk about and there is a great venue to create a story,” Pastoriza said.

CIDFF was organized last year to create a platform that organizes annual international documentary film festivals in Cebu.   Deadline for the submission of entries will be on March 20.

All entries will be shortlisted for the film festival on June 13 to 16.

“We want to brand Cebu (as film fest venue),” says CIDFF executive director April Dequito.

Entries recognized in the first Cebu film festival will be pushed for higher film festivals in other countries.

“The local film makers will have a strong support group and help boost their confidence,” said Lilu Aliño, CIDFF board member.

Each year, film directors, media, international film juries participate in the festival.

The University of San Carlos is opening a five-week short course program that will focus on the basics of film making and film fest production.

The program which starts from May 7 to June 11 will have award winning film maker Aarti Shrivastava training the students. /Marian Z. Codilla, Multi-Media Coordinator