Fil-Briton director stages int'l filmfest in London

MANILA, Philippines - Fil-Briton filmmaker Jowee Morel is spearheading the first Reel Gate International Film Festival (RGIFF) set for late this year in London.

Having stayed in the UK for nearly four decades and having been exposed to film festivals such as the London International Film Festival and the British Film Institute (BFI) Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in London where his Mga Paru-Parong Rosas (Pink Butterflies) was screened on its 21st year in 2007, Morel has become more passionate of mounting his own filmfest.

It was four years ago when Morel had a long stint in the local filmmaking business that entertainment writer Boy Villasanta suggested to him a showing of Filipino films in London which the filmmaker took to heart.

The idea was also supported by the University of the Philippines Film Institute Cine Adarna programmer and member of Young Critics Circle, Nonoy Lauzon.

After finishing post-prod, planning the promotion and marketing globally of Leona Calderon, the Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) story starring Pilar Pilapil and British-Hollywood actress Virginia McKenna, and while Morel was on his feet again conceptualizing and actualizing films and other film-related projects, the first RGIFF was born.

RGIFF promotes social-cultural exchanges among world filmmakers, an objective in Morel’s attainment of an M.A. in Cinematography and Post-Production from the University of Greenwich in London last year.

“RGIFF is a mix of Filipino and British films. That’s why we have the Sine Mabuhay and Cine Britannia sections, Filipino films made by Filipinos or non-Filipinos and British films made by English or non-English are most welcome as long as they depict Philippine and British life and culture, respectively,” explained Morel, who is also festival director and international programmer.

The RGIFF kicks off on Nov. 2, 3 and 4 at the Riverside Studio in London and on Dec. 11, 12 and 13 at the Cine Adarna of the University of the Philippines Film Institute in Diliman, Quezon City.

For details, log on to www.reelgate.com.