Brillante Mendoza filmfest unreels at SM city Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Mallgoers had the rare opportunity to view four of the award winning films of the first Asian director to win in the Cannes Film Festival, as well as interact with him during the Brillante Mendoza Film Festival at SM City Cebu.

The two-day event, which featured four of his ground breaking films – Manoro, Kaleldo, Foster Child, and Lola, brought together prominent Cebuanos from the government and business sectors, as well as local film makers, film lovers, and students from Queen City of the South.

Brillante, who was honored last year in the My City, My SM campaign, took time out from his busy schedule to talk about his films and answer questions from a new generation of film enthusiasts, who were delighted not only to view his films, but also learn about their nuances from the director himself.

The film festival unreeled with a gala event that had all the glitz and glamour of an awards night – the red carpet, the klieg lights, and elegance. No less than Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama graced the occasion together with Cebu Arts Council President Petit Garcia, Miss Cebu 2010 Reena Elena Malinao, Sinulog Foundation Executive Director Ricky Ballesteros and Trustee Dolly Suzara, and Cebu City Tourism Commission Executive Director Cinbeth Orellano. SM officials led by SM Prime Holdings Vice President Marissa Fernan, SM Vice President for Marketing Millie Dizon, and Assistant Mall Manager Tata Mempin welcomed them.

The program, which was held inside the mall’s Cinema 2 also carried on the awards night theme. Four prominent members of Cebu’s vibrant film and advertising industry read the synopsis of the four featured films: Cebu’s Outdoor Advertising Association Chairman Mary Anne Alcordo-Solomon for Manoro; indie film actresses Jennilyn Bajo and Donna Gimeno for Foster Child and Kaleldo, respectively; and indie film director Remton Zuazola for Lola.

The event also recreated the director’s winning moments during the film festivals abroad, this time with Cebuano personalities receiving the awards in his behalf. Ms. Cebu 2011 Mia Zeeba Faridoon received the CinemAvenir Award for Manoro; while Architect Joseph Michael Espina, who is also dean of the College of Fine Arts and Architecture at the University of San Carlos did the honors for Kaleldo’s Netpac Award in the Jeonju International Film Festival. Sinulog Foundation Executive Director Ricky Ballesteros received Foster Child’s Special Jury Award in the Eurasia Film Festival, while the Cebu’s International Academy of Film and TV Bill Gardner got the trophy awarded to Lola as the Best Film in the 8th Rome International Film Festival.

The highlight of the event was the awarding of a special trophy of appreciation by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and SM VP for Marketing Millie Dizon. The Director then thanked the Cebuanos and SM for the warm welcome.

After Cebu, the Brillante Mendoza Film Festival made a stop at SM City North EDSA, SM City Cagayan de Oro, SM City Iloilo, and SM City Baguio.

The Brillante Mendoza Film Festival is one of the many exciting events at the SM Supermalls. (FREEMAN)