The third edition of World Premieres Film Festival (WPFF) 2016, from June 29 to July 10, 2016, puts the spotlight on the “power and magic of film” through the works of local and international film directors. The roster of films in this year’s WPFF boasts of 60 international films and includes those that focus on “human narratives, cultural diversities and social issues”.

The films are divided into ten categories: Main Competition, Filipino New Cinema, Country of Honor: Vietnam, Intercontinental, ASEAN Skies, Spotlight: China, Out of Competition, Cine Verde, Filipino Classics, and French Silent Short Films. They are shown at five different venues across Metro Manila, Cinematheque Centre Manila, SM Megamall (Cinema 6), SM City North EDSA (Cinema 11), Uptown Cinemas (Cinema 4), Greenbelt 3 (Cinema 3), and Shang Complex (Cinema 4).

Here are the films shown in The World Premieres Film Festival (WPFF) 2016:

Main Competition 

A dazzling array of international premieres with acclaimed foreign directors in attendance. Main Competition films are By Acciden by Camille Fontaine (France), Daughters of the Three Tailed Banner by Gutierrez Mangansakan II (Philippines), Love Above All Things by Chema de la Peña (Spain), Redha by Tunku Mona Riza (Malaysia), and Yen’s Life by Dinh Tuan Vu (Vietnam).

Filipino New Cinema

Philippine premieres of six films by Filipino filmmakers. Filipino New Cinema films are Curiosity, Adventure and Love by Sunshine Lichauco de Leon and Suzanne Richiardone, EDSA by Alvin Yapan, Iadya mo Kami by Mel Chionglo, Ku’te by Ronaldo Bertubin, Memory Channel by Raynier Brizuela, and Ringgo: The Dog-shooter by Rahyan Carlos.

Country of Honor: Vietnam

A WPFF first! The Country of Honor highlights the cinema of particular countries around the world to honor their filmmaking talent. This year, eight contemporary Vietnamese films screen throughout the festival, with each Vietnamese director taking part in the Festival, roundtable discussions, attending media functions, and representing Vietnam at gala events.

Country of Honor: Vietnam films include 2030 by Nguyen-Vo Nghiem Minh, Beautiful Women by Đinh Thái Thuy, Jackpot by Dustin Nguyen, On the Peaceful Peak by Nsut Nguyen Huu Muri, The Children of the Village by Nguyen Đuc Viet, The Prophecy by Nsut Vurn Đuc, Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass by Victor Vũ and Zodiac – 12 Five Steps of Love by Vũ Ngoc Phuong.

Intercontinental 

Highlighting the wealth and cultural diversity across different continents, and narrating the human condition through the medium of cinema, all countries outside of the Southeast Asian region are in the running for the “Intercontinental Prize for Best Film”.

Intercontinental films include Dalisay by Maurizio Baldini (Italy/Philippines), Damn, New York by Arturo Prins (Spain), Home Guards by Krisztina Goda (Hungary), Mom and Other Loonies in the Family by Ibolya Fekete (Hungary), Mossie by Darrell Roodt (South Africa), Parasol by Valery Rosier (Belgium), Paula by Eugenio Canevari (Argentina), Pleasure. Love by Yao Huang (China), S is for Stanley by Alex Infascelli (Italy), The Storm Inside by Fabrice Camoin (France), and 3 Bellezas by Carlos Caridad-Montero (Venezuela).

ASEAN Skies

With films hailing from the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, this exhibit aims to create a regional community of active cultural exchange. Their close proximities and shared history gives each member state much common ground. Films compete for the “ASEAN Skies Prize for Best Film”.

ASEAN Skies films include 7 Letters by Boo Junfeng, et al (Singapore), Above it All by Anysay Keola (Laos), Beast by Tom and Sam McKeith (Philippines), I am Hope by Adilla Dimitri (Indonesia), Laut by Louie Ignacio (Philippines), Kayan Beauties by Aung Ko Latt (Myanmar), Price of Love by Matthew Robinson (Cambodia), Remittance by Patrick Daly and Joel Fendelman (Philippines), and The Postman and Kartini by Azhar Kinoi Lubis (Indonesia).

Spotlight: China  

Spotlight: China films include Let’s Get Married by Liu Jiang, Miss Granny (20, Once Again) by Leste Chen, Roco Kingdom 4: Go! Giant Valley by Hugues Martell, The Galaxy on Earth by Ning Haiqiang, When a Peking Family Meets Au Pair by Chen Gang, and Wolf Totem by Jean-Jacques Annaud.

Out of Competition

Out of Competition films include Galloping Mind by Wim Vandekeybus (Belgium), One Kiss (Un Bacio) by Ivan Cotroneo (Italy), The Forest by Paul Spurrier (Thailand), Young Love Lost by Xiang Guoqiang (China).

Cine Verde

Cine Verde films include Chloe and Theo by Ezna Sands (I watched this and I almost cried), Ever the Land by Sarah Grohnert, How to Change the World by Jerry Rothwell, Racing Extinction by Louie Psihoyos, and Rafea: Solar Mama by Mona Eldaif.

Filipino Classics

Filipino Classics films include Batang West Side by Lav Diaz, Damortis by Briccio Santos, Ginauhaw Ako, Ginagutom Ako by Quin Baterna, Pagdating sa Dulo by Ishmael Bernal, Noli Me Tangere by Gerardo de Leon, Turumba by Kidlat Tahimik, and White Slavery by Lino Brocka.

French Silent Short Films

French Silent Short Films include The Rajah’s Casket by Gaston Velle, The Wonderful Album by Gaston Velle, The Pigeon Fairy by Gaston Velle, The Fairy of the Surf by Louis Feuillade, The Talisman by Albert Capellani, and Little Thumbling by Marius O’Galop.

All ticket for the World Premieres Film Festival are sold at P100 (US $2.20) unless stated otherwise.

For more information, please visit www.wpff.ph.