FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PR CONTACT: Fe Koons PRESS RELEASE Cell: 310-849-3509 BIRDSHOT, AREA, SEKLUSYON IN THE 2017 L.A. PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL All films announced the first LAPIFF Press Conference

August 30, 2107 - Carson, CALI – The Los Angeles Philippine International Film Festival (LAPIFF) selection committee announced the ten (out of the 500+ submissions) narrative films selected to compete in the film fest to be held on October 26-29 at SouthBay Pavilion Cinemark located at 20700 Avalon Blvd., Carson CA 90746.

The ten films are: Area, Birdshot, Dagsin, EJK, Imbisibol, Laut, Seklusyon, Sakaling Hindi Makarating, Of Sinners and Saints, and The Sun Behind You.

Pamela Reyes, producer of Birdshot, which won the Critic’s choice award in the recently concluded Pistang Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) in , said that she is glad that Filipino Americans in Los Angeles will be able to view Birdshot.

“We are very proud of our film. It has also an environment angle giving attention to the endangered Philippine eagle,” Reyes said. Birdshot, directed by Mikhail Red won in the Tokyo Film Festival.

Area, starring AiAi delas Alas is directed by Louie Ignacio and produced by Baby GO. Seklusyon,a horror tale directed by and produced by Dondon Monteverde won six awards in the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival.

The 10 short films chosen are: Back to One, Chapter X, Diliman, Instaland, Last Farewell, N.O.V.I.S, Sequins, Sins of Wasteland, Supot and RELEVE.

The three documentary films selected are: The Apology, Do You Remember the and WE Will Never play in Manila Again.

Abe Pagtama, chairman and founder of LAPIFF revealed that a special screening of short films made by members of the FIlAm Creative’s Talent Network will be shown in the opening night.

Sweeney Mae, marketing direct of SouthBay Pavilion said htat the mall is proud to sponsor the international film festival on its second year.

For more information on how you can advertise and/or sponsor LAPIFF, visit www.lapiff.org. SPECIAL THANKS TO: Photos above by Ren Arrieta www.southbaypavilion.com www.SuzetteSkincare.com For more information on the www.ShaleOakWinery.com Board Directors and Selection www.Chillhound.com Committee visit Pinoy Food Republic www.lapiff.org

BIRDSHOT, Directed by Mikhail Red, TRT: 1hr 56min, 116 minutes, Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Philippines TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k8h_X3GjgM Diego Mariano (Ku Aquino) is the caretaker of the land surrounding a sanctuary; he is the father of 14-year-old Maya (Mary Joy Apostol), whose mother died from childbirth. Maya wants to explore the land beyond the family's isolated shack. Diego wants her daughter to be self-sufficient, thus teaches her to fire a gun. After failing her first shooting lessons, Maya wanders of to the forest sanctuary with her father's rifle and accidentally kills a Philippine eagle, an endangered animal.

Meanwhile, newly-recruited police officer Domingo goes to the area to investigate the mysterious disappearance of farmers en route to Manila on a bus, but was ordered to stop what he was doing. Domingo's partner Mendoza (John Arcilla) and their commander Dela Paz (Dido dela Paz) believes that Domingo should focus on finding the killer of the Philippine eagle instead.

Red and his cousin began writing the script in 2014[2]. Producer Pamela L. Reyes submitted it to the Doha Film Institute which in early 2015 granted production funding for the film. After winning the CJ Entertainment Award at Busan Film Festival's Asian Project Market, other investors granted funding including TBA Studios. The film project was selected at the Festival des 3 Continents' Produire au Sud workshop to improve Birdshot and its screenplay. Birdshot's PelikulaRED studio (owner by Pamela L. Reyes and Mikhail Red) managed to co-produce the film with Tuko Film Productions and Buchi Boy Productions.[3]

The total budget of the film was ₱14 million.[2] Red was inspired by a shooting incident in 2008, where a three-year-old Philippine eagle was shot by a Bukidnon farmer in Mount Kitanglad who cooked the killed bird afterwards. Principal photography lasted for 23 days.[4] Scenes were shot in the provinces of Isabella[2] and as well as the Philippine Eagle Sanctuary in Davao City.[3]

The color red is a prominent element in the film which signifies an important scene or pertinent detail that the audience is required to pay closer attention to.[4]

Birdshot was first screened at film festivals outside the Philippines before it was screened in the country. The film made its debut at the 2016 Tokyo International Film Festival and was screened in 14 other film festivals before it made its local debut at the 13th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival August of the following year.[2] The film was also screened as one of the twelve official entries at the 2017 Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino.

Film critic Richard Kuipers praised Birdshot in a review published in Variety describing the film as a "gripping combination of police procedural and coming-of-age drama". He paralleled the film's commentary to the 2009 Maguindanao massacre and remarked on Apostol's performance in particular as "impressive". Additional praise was also given by Kuiper to Teresa Barrozo's "haunting soundscapes".[1]

The film won Best Picture in the Asian Future category at the 2016 Tokyo International Film Festival and was selected for the Ingmar Bergman International Debut Award at the Goteborg Film Festival.[5]

Birdshot is a 2016 Philippine thriller film directed by Mikhail Red, Produced by Pamela L. Reyes, and was co-produced by PelikulaRED, Tuko Film Productions, and Buchi Boy Productions. Music composed by: Teresa Barrozo Producer: Pamela L. Reyes Cinematography: Mycko David Cast: John Arcilla, Arnold Reyes, Mary Joy Apostol, Manuel Aquino Screenplay: Mikhail Red, Rae Rae AREA, Directed by Louie Ignacio 1 hr 50 min • Drama, 2016, Philippines TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSyxMe4M2EY Stars: Ai-Ai de las Alas, , Sue Prado A story of prostitution set in a regular community in Angeles City.

A short distance from the city’s red-light district is Area, a neighborhood of brothels where over-the-hill sex workers can be had for a can of sardines or even on credit. During its heyday, Area had up to 700 brothels servicing thousands of low-income men, hormonally active boys and society misfits--all taking advantage of the bargain price of sex available only at Area. One of the last remaining brothels is operated by Ben, whose family of former pimps and subversives depends on the brothel for survival. Hillary, one of the sex workers, keeps her life-savings to fulfill a dream to travel to the United States to find a son she said she lost during the panic caused by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. Her skeptical co-workers bully her by dumping on her all the clients they reject, including a freak and a penniless old man who pays with stolen appliances. Hillary’s world collapses when her money is stolen and Ben refuses to file charges, because the suspect is a village watchman whom Ben cannot afford to displease. The story happens during the Holy Week, when the residents of Area perform rituals of penitence to wash away their sins and be ready for another year of business as usual.

IMBISIBOL, Directed by Lawerence Fajardo, 2hr 12min, Drama, (2015) Philippines TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMzlSLYMHBA Stars: Allen Dizon, Ces Quesada, Bernardo Bernardo

Imbisibol tells the tale of illegal Filipino immigrants in Japan and their plight to evade authorities. SEKLUSYON | Directed by Erik Matti 1 hr 26 min • Horror, Thriller 2016 (Philippines) TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iw5kUvIDePc Stars: Rhed Bustamante, Neil Ryan Sese,

In 1947 those aspiring to be priest, are sent to a remote convent to live in seclusion (Seklusyon) on the last day of their training. The purpose is to shield them from evil of the world. The plot thickens when a mysterious young girl comes to the convent but the question is whether she is really sent by God or by the Evil. This is the challenge awaits the candidates.

Seven days before ordination, four deacons enter a ritual house of seclusion to escape worldly desires but things go awry when evil seeps in through the cracks disguised as an innocent child.

It is said that the last seven days before ordination is the most dangerous for deacons. The devil will haunt and tempt them out of priesthood so the church sends them into a strict house of seclusion where they will be kept safe and far from worldly desires. But when a little girl reputed to be a 'messenger of God' and a nun, serving as her guardian enters, rules of the house are broken one by one as each deacon faces their demons in a battle to guard their faith

It stars Rhed Bustamante, Neil Ryan Sese, Ronnie Alonte, , Phoebe Walker, Dominic Roque, Elora Españo, John Vic De Guzman, JR Versales, Jerry O'Hara, Sherry Lara and Teroy Guzman. It is an official entry to the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival, where it won 9 categories, including "Best Director" award for Erik Matti. The film is Erik Matti's third MMFF entry in recent years after his 2014 film Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2, and 2015 film Honor Thy Father which was the subject of controversy that year when it was disqualified from the "Best Picture" category of the festival's award.[5]

LAUT | Directed by Louie Ignacio | 1hr 23min | Drama | 2016 (Philippines) TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MD73NZ15WV8 Starring Barbie Forteza, Ronwaldo Martin, Felixia Crysten Dizon, Gabbi Garcia, Jak Roberto,

A sea gypsies from Zamboanga who are now living in Mabalacat, , Nadia of the group called Sama d'Laut. She hopes to marry the man she loves but was forced to leave when things got really difficult for her home province.She ends up in Mabalacat where she is forced to live a new life. Of Sinners and Saints; Directed by Ruben Maria Soriquez 1h 43min | Drama, Thriller | (Philippines) TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUojy-co4pM Of Sinners and Saints is a Philippine thriller film co-written and directed by Filipino Italian filmmaker Ruben Maria Soriquez on his directorial debut. The film stars: , Lanie Martin Gumarang, Chantel Latorre, Sue Prado, Althea Vega, Geraldine Tan, Ruben Maria Soriquez, Richard Quan, Polo Ravales

Leonardo Rossellini is an Italian priest from Rome, assigned to a parish in Payatas, a poor area of Metromanila, Philippines. Leonardo's mission is to counsel battered women and teach poor children. But soon his peace of mind is distraught by the encounter of a woman he used to love when he was still a seminarian. This young woman, Merlinda, is now married to a violent man. She also has a 6 years old child who is missing. Leonardo decides to help her find her son

The film (which is technically an Italy-Philippine co-production) was the Italian entry to the 19th Cine Europa, the biggest European Film Festival outside Europe

The film was originally released on June 27, 2015 as an entry at the 2015 World Premieres Film Festival. It has been released commercially from April 28 to May 4, 2017 under Cine Lokal, a joint project of SM Cinemas and Cine Lokal of FDCP, meant to give more exposure to independent Philippine films that won awards abroad

Sakaling Hindi Makarating | a film by Ice Idanan 1h 30min | Adventure, Drama, Romance | 2017 (Philippines) TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTOom8G8zDo Stars: Alessandra de Rossi, Therese Malvar, Pepe Herrera

A series of mysterious hand-illustrated postcards take a young woman on a journey throughout the Philippines in search of its anonymous writer. The Sun Behind You | Directed by Dominic Carlo p. Nuessa | 1 hr 30 min • Drama, War, Action | 2017 | Philippines TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4bxEu444Ts Starring Ping Medina, Bong Cabrera, Mike Liwag. An elite team of Scout Rangers track down lawless Islamist elements in the Southern tip of the Philippines. In the middle of this conflict, two Muslim brothers are caught up in their own Holy Wars. A young Muslim scholar, Omar, has followed his brother Jamiluddin’s footsteps into radical Islam. Unbeknownst to him, Jamiluddin has turned Government informant.

“Ang Araw sa Likod Mo (The Sun Behind You)” is a story about the heroism, redemption, and sacrifice of all sides of the conflict. From Military to refugee camp, a 4-decade old war is brought to light and casts a shadow to the question of what exactly we are fighting for, and who.

Dagsin (Gravity) | Directed by Atom Magadia 1h 59min | Drama | Philippines TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE-kHyWwsR4 "DAGSIN" (GRAVITY) is an indie film by Filipino Writer/Director Atom Magadia, Starring Tommy Abuel, Lotlot De Leon, Benjamin Alves, Janine Gutierrez, Marita Zobel, Sue Prado and Alex Diaz. An Atom & Anne Mediaworks production.

DAGSIN (Gravity) illustrates the endless cycle of war and tyranny, violence and greed, we all continue to struggle against from one generation to the next. It weaves through important chapters of Philippine History-- World War II (the American and Japanese Occupation), and the Marcos' Martial Law years; but more than that, it is the story of one man who tried to make a difference and the love that saved him but threatens to destroy him in the end.

After surviving the Death March, Martial Law and the loss of his legs, Justino became an atheist. But when his wife dies, a part of him is yearning to believe in life beyond death; just for a chance to be with her again. Searching for parts of her he can still hold on to, he devours her diaries for information into their past --opening a Pandora's Box of secrets. EJK (Extra Judicial Killing) | Directed by Rolando Sanchez 1h 39min | Drama | 2016 (Philippines) TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vN88UQGAbYo Starring Mon Confiado who has appeared in over 300 local films and more than 700 TV appearances since 1993. He won the Best Supporting Actor Award in the prestigious FAMAS (Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences) in 2008, equally regarded as the Academy Award of America in the film of National Artist for Film.

EJK is about the extra judicial killing that is happening in the Philippines. It is a film that shows the disturbing details about drug abuse and drug trafficking that contribute mainly to many unexplained and unabated killings in the Philippines.

“EJK” is not just about the dead bodies piling up on the street in the Philippines but rather its a film that forces us to literally experience the evil of drug addiction and drug trafficking, a society’s menace which resulted in many unexplained and unabated killings. The killings, the violence, the exploitative means by which people are used and abused are brutally captured on this film in a manner that spares nothing to unveil the atrocities created by soul-less people who authored it. The story revolves around siblings BRYAN and JOSEPH RAMIREZ. After the violent death of their parents, the two struggled to live on the street, amidst the dangerous, exploitative and almost inhuman condition. They eventually were separated by the dictate and force of painful circumstances.

Later on, Bryan became a police officer who would not hesitate to kill persons of interest who try to resist arrest . Joseph, on the other hand, became a society’s menace who was exploited by a corrupt police officer named Rex Motabato.

The film will enable us to have a peek inside the world of drug trafficking . The sordid and fetid environment of drug victims and dealers. The drug that numb the pain of emotional, physical, mental and sexual trauma. The scenes of physical abuses and killings is discomforting and shown in flat details that do not manipulate emotion. I’m sure that every one of us recognize the drug problem as a complex and deeply emotional issue that needs to be addressed holistically, with great understanding and compassion for both victim and perpetrator because the culture of death dehumanizes us all. I'm sure that all of us would agree to help to care for the violated, the orphaned and the widowed in every possible way we can.

“EJK” is not a political nor a propagandist movie. It is just a simple sibling’s story evolved into one compelling film.

Supot | directed by Phil Giordano, 13 min, 2016, Philippines Stars John Arcilla, Mercedes Cabral, Andrei Fajarito TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VisF1df51QQ After refusing a ritual circumcision intended to usher him into manhood, Rene-boy (10), tries alternate methods to remove this mark of cowardice.

Director’s statement: Supot is a film about a young boy trying to impress his father. He doesn’t fare too well in the beginning- he brings shame, but this is more than a story about circumcision. It’s about rite of passage, redemption, and courageousness; courageousness to overcome fear of pain and to feel worthy of acceptance.

Many of us have had issues with our fathers growing up. It makes us who we are. Whether we seek their acceptance and are found wanting or if we always feel inferior. Supot is a story of redemption, where a boy finds his inner strength through spider fighting and standing up to his bully brother. By going through this conflict he’s able to gain the courage he lacked in the beginning. He’s able to become a man in his father’s eyes.

In provinces in the Philippines, to this day, boys around the age of 10 are circumcised. But they aren’t cut in hospitals, like in Manila, they are cut in a stream. The boys strip, jump into the water, line up, chew guava leaves, and then face the moment of truth: Will they be brave and become men or run away and be seen as cowards?

SUPOT follows Rene-boy, an introverted 10 year old who is the son of Itoy, the Mang Tutuli (performer of circumcisions). Everyone loves Itoy and he is the ultimate man’s man. Rene-boy’s brother is Kinopi, a ferocious bully, who following in his father’s footsteps as being tough and charismatic.

After Rene-boy runs away from his circumcision (he’s scared of the pain), a shadow of shame is cast on him. Which doesn’t seem like it will go away.

Rene-boy’s young mother, is tough yet tender to him. She doesn’t let him off the hook. She warns him that inevitably he will have to be cut and that he has to find courage. Based on his mothers words, and his extreme feelings of shame, Rene-boy embarks on the ultimate challenge: to prove to his father that he’s a man.

SUPOT had its World Premiere at the 21st Busan International Film Festival and will have its North American Premiere at the 2017 Florida Film Festival as well as screening at the Newport Beach Film Festival.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE http://www.supotfilm.com SOCIAL MEDIA WEBSITES https://www.facebook.com/SUPOTbyPhilGiordano/ Sequins, directed by Dale Fabrigar, Diliman | directed TJ Collanto | 13 min Sins of Wasteland | Directed Paul 14 min 45 sec • Comedy, Musical, 50 sec • Drama | 2017 | Denmark Halili | 21min | Short, Drama, 2015, USA Thriller | 2016 | USA TRAILER: Stars: Sofronia Gallanongo, Andrea TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= Colquhoun, Ramin Farahani https://www.youtube.com/watch?v vi6-wg84gQs A Filipino family is caught in a long- =0wntPksoXnQ Starring Jess Amelia, Sheila Tejada, winded catering delivery for their niece’s Starring Mandy Gabucan, Jerald Joyce Fidler, Mariko Van Kampen, wedding in London that seems to pull Napoles, Richard Manabat. Michael Yama. them further and further from the The last remnants of humanity Lucy, a 29-year-old Filipino-American reception itself. scavenge an apocalyptic world in woman moves out of her childhood search for subsistence, security and home in the lovely suburbs of Cerritos SOCIAL MEDIA WEBSITE salvation. to the “mean” streets of Los Angeles. https://www.facebook.com/dilimanshor tfilm/ Sins of the Wasteland is a psychological thriller about a young girl's journey through a post- apocalyptic wasteland. Guided by her father's dream to restore humanity, she sets out to find the balance between good and evil in order to survive.

SOCIAL MEDIA WEBSITES https://www.facebook.com/sinsoft hewasteland/

Instaland, 15 min • Directed by Tim Cruz, Comedy, Drama, Science Fiction, Last Farewell, directed by Jomz Fantasy, Adventure | USA Ramirez, 8 min, Drama, Romance, Action, History | 2016 Stars: Kennedy Lea Slocum, Emily |Philippines Bader, Tess Aubert Stars: Nicole Blackman, Mac A teenage girl enters the social media Mendoza world of instaland and embarks on a Set during the Martial Law Era in journey to recover a lost picture the Philippines, a young couple posted by her now deceased brother. must choose between the love Instaland is a world where all the that they have for each other or tropes of online / social media culture the country they have pledged exist in real life. Funded by the John their lives to. Templeton Foundation exploring gratitude in a social media landscape. Releve, Directed by Desirée V. N.O.VI.S, DIRECTED BY Arthur Chapter X, Directed by Jomz Castro, 15 min, Short Drama | Rodger "Harley" Maranan, 23 Ramirez, 9 min 50 sec • USA min • Drama, Science Fiction | Drama | 2017 | Philippines Philippines Stars: Sean Cork, Szacha Dean, Stars: Atul Khanna, Annika Velez, Stars: Tads Obach, Natileigh Mieko Hillman Allene De Castro Sitoy TRAILER: The line between dream and A young revolutionary writer https://www.youtube.com/watc reality is blurred when a escapes from the harsh h?v=2OTbPxjCB08 sentiment-filled teenager invents realities of the real world only A ballet dancer struggles to a device (N.O.VI.S.) that reunites to be confronted with guilt by overcome an abusive him with the long lost love of his the most unexpected person relationship. To rise above it, past. in the most unexpected place. she discovers she must follow TRAILER: her passion and believe in https://www.youtube.com/watc herself. h?v=H3g3rRnqrFM OFFICIAL WEBSITE SOCIAL MEDIA WEBSITES http://www.facebook/novisfilm http://www.facebook.com/relev efilm

Back to One, Comedy, DIRECTED BY Rommel Andaya, 6 min (USA) Stars: Tony Garbanzos, Michael Kuya, Mari Lauren A man attempts to use his many chances to talk to the lovely, Alice Downing.

The Apology, Directed by Tiffany We will never play in Manila again. Directed by Sigfreid Barros-Sanchez, Hsuing, 1h 44min | Documentary | 47 minutes, Documentary (Philippines) 2016 (Canada) TRAILER: This CINEFILIPINO 2016 FINALIST for the DOCUMENTARY SECTION tackles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= about the 50th Anniversary of the infamous Beatles' concert in the DTtm2HIvwK4 Philippines in 1966. The Apology explores the lives of former "comfort women", the more We Will Never Play in Manila Again centers on the very same sentence than 200,000 girls forced into sexual uttered by a member of the rock band, , after having a rough slavery during World War II. Today, encounter in the country in 1966. Back then, the legendary British group they fight for reconciliation and justice was reported to have allegedly snubbed former Philippine First Lady Imelda as they struggle to make peace with Marcos' Malacañang invitation. the past. The makers of the documentary interviewed different people with different perspectives on the event such as concert-goers, music icons Jim Paredes, Pepe Smith, RJ Jacinto, and writer Pete Lacaba.

Another one of their interviewees is the Henyo Master himself, Joey de Leon! Watch the trailer for We Will Never Play in Manila Again below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SBkbmWaraA

Do you remember the Philippines? |1 hr 22 min | Documentary | 2016 (Spain) Ta acorda ba tu el Filipinas? Explores the traces of overlapping waves of globalization from the past and the present. In a multi- layered dialogue between Spain and its former Asian colony, the Philippines, shadows of former world empires and current post- colonial cross-hatchings emerge through the pluralism of language itself.