TIFF2019: Filipino Filmmakers, Actors Put Spotlight on Philippine Cinema at the Tokyo International Film Festival

Filipino filmmakers and actors made the country proud as they represented the Philippines in the 32nd Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) Red Carpet and Opening Ceremony in Roppongi Hills, Tokyo, Japan.

“Mañanita” director Paul Soriano and actress Bela Padilla (Photo from the Filipino-Japanese Journal)

“Mañanita” actress Bela Padilla (Photo from the Filipino-Japanese Journal)

Of the 181 films for TIFF exhibition this year, eight are productions from the Philippines—marking an impressive feat in Philippine Cinema.

Actors Bela Padilla, Mara Lopez, Pinky Amador, and JC Santos led the Philippine delegation in the TIFF procession of filmmakers and stars on October 28, Monday.

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“The Halt” actresses Mara Lopez and Pinky Amador (Photo from the Filipino-Japanese Journal)

Padilla and director Paul Soriano are raring about the World Premiere of “Mañanita” in the Main Competition of the TIFF. Lopez and Amador are stars of “The Halt (Ang Hupa)” directed by Lav Diaz.

Santos of “Motel Acacia” was joined by director Bradley Liew, producer Bianca Balbuena, and production designer Ben Padero. “What a night for Philippine cinema,” remarked Padero in his Instagram account.

Introducing fresh Philippine talent to the world

“Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay” director Antoinette Jadaone (center) and actor Carlo Cannu (right) with director-cinematographer and Project 8 corner San Joaquin Projects producer Dan Villegas (left) (Photo from the Filipino-Japanese Journal)

“Untrue” director Sigrid Bernardo (center) and cinematographer Boy Yñiguez (right) with partner Mitos Yñiguez (left) (Photo from the Filipino-Japanese Journal)

Other Philippine Cinema representatives at the TIFF 2019 are writer-director Antoinette Jadaone, Dan Villegas, and Carlo Cannu for “Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay” and director Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo and cinematographer Boy Yñiguez for “Untrue.”

Rounding up the eight Philippine productions in the TIFF 2019 are “Mindanao” by Brillante Ma Mendoza, and Erik Matti’s Food Lore Series – “Island of Dreams” and “The Entity (Kuwaresma).” Actor Kent Gonzales represented “The Entity.”

This year’s TIFF Red Carpet and Opening Ceremony was graced by Hollywood stars Alicia Vikander and Zhang Ziyi. Vikander co-stars with Japanese actor Naoki Kobayashi in the thriller, “Earthquake Bird.”

Ziyi, meanwhile, is the president of the TIFF 2019 Competition Jury. “Over the years, this world-class festival has consistently introduced fresh new talent to film lovers all over the world,” she stated at the Opening Ceremony.

Joining Ziyi in the Competition Jury are actor-producer Julie Gayet, producer Bill Gerber, and directors Ryuichi Hiroki and Michael Noer. The TIFF 2019 runs from October 28 to November 5.