With the Berlin International Film Festival or Berlinale underway, Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP)  Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño gladly announces FDCP's partnership with the Philippine Embassy in Berlin, Germany for the forthcoming Philippine Cinema Night. A Filipino contingent’s trip to an international film festival is incomplete without the Philippine Cinema Night which showcases the Filipino films, filmmakers, and delegates to international partners and stakeholders so that they may network, connect, and partner for future collaboration.

Philippine Ambassador to Germany Ma. Theresa “Tess” Dizon-de Vega remarked, “The Philippine Embassy looks forward to developing strong collaboration with the FDCP in raising the profile of our film industry in Germany, a global center for innovation in film and visual  arts, during the annual Berlinale. Through sustained Philippine film programs in cooperation with FDCP and German institutions, we hope to introduce more German filmmakers, creatives, producers, and distributors to unique voices in Philippine Cinema.”

Previous Philippine Cinema Nights have resulted in Filipino filmmakers interfacing with festival programmers and representatives of foreign production companies, which led them to widen their audience by bringing Filipino films to other countries. Such is the aim of this year’s Philippine Cinema Night that will also celebrate the achievements of Filipino participants in Berlinale 2020 and commemorate the One Hundred Years of Philippine Cinema.

Film Development Council of the Philippines Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño and Philippine Ambassador to Germany Ma. Theresa “Tess” Dizon-de Vega with representatives from FDCP and Embassy of the Philippines in Berlin

International guests of the event will not just be introduced to Filipino films and talents but will also get a taste of the country through the showcase of Filipino cuisine. Catered by Ayan Filipino Streetfood Restaurant which is based in Berlin, they will be treated to classic Filipino dishes like adobo, longganisa, tocino, and turon together with a selection of Filipino liquor like Don Papa Rum and Manille Liqueur. It will be held on February 24 at the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Germany.

Three Berlinale 2020 titles have Philippine representation: “Death of Nintendo” by Raya Martin, Alex Piperno’s “Window Boy Would Also Like to Have a Submarine” co-produced by Armi Rae Cacanindin, and short film “Filipiñana” by Rafael Manuel. Meanwhile, the German entry “Orphea” is co-directed by  Alexander Kluge and Filipino Khavn. 

The Berlinale Co-Production Market has selected “Boldstar” by Antoinette Jadaone while the Berlinale Talents training program has chosen director-editor Celina Marie Donato and producer Gale Osorio. Alemberg Ang, Anne Prado-Magadia, Gutierrez Mangansakan II, and Carlo Valenzona are part of the Berlinale Co-Production Market Visitors Programme and “Whether the Weather is Fine” by Carlo Francisco Manatad is among the Berlinale World Cinema Fund recipients.

The Berlinale is among the Big Three A-List international film festivals together with Venice in Italy and Cannes in France. It boasts of screening more than 400 titles and has awarded British theater and film actor Jeremy Irons as president of the International Jury. Now on its 70th edition, the Berlinale runs from February 20 to March 1. 

Cover photo: Film Development Council of the Philippines Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño and Philippine Ambassador to Germany Ma. Theresa “Tess” Dizon-de Vega