baguio film fest 04-10-24

	NORDIS WEEKLY October 24, 2004
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Baguio film fest mulled
BAGUIO CITY (Oct. 20) — Aside from the chance for the Baguio public to view the entries to the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), home-grown artists and film-makers will have a chance to hone and display their talents once the proposal for the first Baguio Film Festival is finally approved by the city council. Baguio-bred film-maker Chinggoy Alonzo, who heads the Baguio Film Foundation, presented to the city council the proposal for the Baguio Film Festival slated from December 1 this year to January 8, 2005. The council referred the proposal to the Committee on Tourism headed by Councilor Pinky Rondez. Torch parade Alonzo said the festival would formally open on December 1 with Tanglaw ng Sining, a torch parade with participation by high school students. Workshops, symposia and fora on film-making, script-writing and related subjects will be held at the Baguio Convention Center, the Baguio Country Club and participating schools during the festival. A contest for amateur film-makers will accept entries for short films and documentaries on Baguio history and other relevant topics. A festival of old Filipino films will also be screened in major theaters from December 5 to 22. A boost to the film industry Alonzo, who also appeared at the weekly Kapihan, said that Baguio is a perfect place for a film festival, for the film and art industry to thrive on, and for educating students and discovering young geniuses. He revealed that the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has approved the inclusion of Baguio in the MMFF, and the festival’s kick-off is being arranged to be held here on December 15. At least two major stars from the eight film entries will join the parade, he added. “This is one way of revitalizing the film industry. Bring quality films to the masses, expose them more to the people and give it a good push and a good chance,” Alonzo said. Southern Philippine cities Cebu and Davao were already included in the simultaneous screening of the MMFF entries since two years ago. Alonzo is counting on 11 major theaters here to participate in the screening from December 25 to January 8, and that the old cinemas would be repaired to qualify for the film festival. He laments that the production of DVDs and the proliferation of pirated films have affected the local film industry. However, Alonzo remains optimistic that good films will turn the tide in favor of film makers and the movie-going public. A version of the MMFF’s Awards Night will honor home-grown artists, with National Artist for Film Eddie Romero receiving the Hall of Fame Award. In the proposal, the city will get 40% of the amusement tax collected from the film screenings. Mayor Braulio D. Yaranon, who was also present at the Kapihan, agreed that the film festival will create revenue for the city. Aside from the taxes, Alonzo said the parade of stars will boost the flower industry and the tourism industry. He added that P500,000 in prizes has been set aside for the float competition. # Lyn V. Ramo for NORDIS
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	NORDIS WEEKLY October 24, 2004
Home \| To bottom	Previous \| Next
Baguio film fest mulled
BAGUIO CITY (Oct. 20) — Aside from the chance for the Baguio public to view the entries to the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), home-grown artists and film-makers will have a chance to hone and display their talents once the proposal for the first Baguio Film Festival is finally approved by the city council. Baguio-bred film-maker Chinggoy Alonzo, who heads the Baguio Film Foundation, presented to the city council the proposal for the Baguio Film Festival slated from December 1 this year to January 8, 2005. The council referred the proposal to the Committee on Tourism headed by Councilor Pinky Rondez. Torch parade Alonzo said the festival would formally open on December 1 with Tanglaw ng Sining, a torch parade with participation by high school students. Workshops, symposia and fora on film-making, script-writing and related subjects will be held at the Baguio Convention Center, the Baguio Country Club and participating schools during the festival. A contest for amateur film-makers will accept entries for short films and documentaries on Baguio history and other relevant topics. A festival of old Filipino films will also be screened in major theaters from December 5 to 22. A boost to the film industry Alonzo, who also appeared at the weekly Kapihan, said that Baguio is a perfect place for a film festival, for the film and art industry to thrive on, and for educating students and discovering young geniuses. He revealed that the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has approved the inclusion of Baguio in the MMFF, and the festival’s kick-off is being arranged to be held here on December 15. At least two major stars from the eight film entries will join the parade, he added. “This is one way of revitalizing the film industry. Bring quality films to the masses, expose them more to the people and give it a good push and a good chance,” Alonzo said. Southern Philippine cities Cebu and Davao were already included in the simultaneous screening of the MMFF entries since two years ago. Alonzo is counting on 11 major theaters here to participate in the screening from December 25 to January 8, and that the old cinemas would be repaired to qualify for the film festival. He laments that the production of DVDs and the proliferation of pirated films have affected the local film industry. However, Alonzo remains optimistic that good films will turn the tide in favor of film makers and the movie-going public. A version of the MMFF’s Awards Night will honor home-grown artists, with National Artist for Film Eddie Romero receiving the Hall of Fame Award. In the proposal, the city will get 40% of the amusement tax collected from the film screenings. Mayor Braulio D. Yaranon, who was also present at the Kapihan, agreed that the film festival will create revenue for the city. Aside from the taxes, Alonzo said the parade of stars will boost the flower industry and the tourism industry. He added that P500,000 in prizes has been set aside for the float competition. # Lyn V. Ramo for NORDIS
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