Five (5) Filipino films are set to have their Japan and international premiere at the Osaka Asian Film Festival (OAFF) which takes place from March 8 to 17 in Osaka, Japan.

Jessy Mendiola in The Girl in the Orange Dress (Photo from Osaka Asian Film Festival’s website)

Miyuki Kamimura and Mai Fanglayan in Tanabata's Wife (Photo from Osaka Asian Film Festival’s website)

Anthony Falcon and Iana Bernardez in With All My Hypothalamus (Photo from Osaka Asian Film Festival’s website)

The Girl in the Orange Dress directed by Jay Abello, Tanabata's Wife directed by Choy Pangilinan, Charlson Ong, and Lito Casaje, and With All My Hypothalamus directed by Dwein Baltazar will be competing against 11 films from Korea, Vietnam, India, China, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. These movies will vie for the Grand Prix (the Best Picture Award, with a cash prize of JPY500,000) and Most Promising Talent Award (with a cash prize of JPY200,000).

Yeng Constantino in The Eternity Between Seconds (Photo from Osaka Asian Film Festival’s website)

Other films featured in the Osaka Asian Film Festival are Billie & Emma directed by Samantha Lee and The Eternity Between Seconds directed by Alec Figuracion under the New Action! Asia special program.

Last 2018, actress Ryza Cenon won the Yakushi Pearl Award (Best Performer) for her role in Sigrid Andrea Bernardo’s Mr. and Mrs. Cruz. On the other hand, director Mikhail Red took home the Most Promising Talent Award (Best Director) for Neomanila.

Now on its 15th edition, the Osaka Asian Film Festival is held annually with the theme “From Osaka to All of Asia!” This year’s programme consists of 51 films from 17 Asian countries and regions, including 10 world and 9 international premiere films.