Best of Filipino Filmmaking Highlighted in the European Philippine International Film Festival
After the successful first edition, five Filipino films will be showcased during the 2nd EPIFF - European Philippine International Film Festival - founded by filmmakers Ruben Soriquez and Maurizio Baldini with the precious support of PIA, ICCPI and FDCP in the Philippines and Fondazione Sistema Toscana, Islands Stream Cultural Association of Italy and the Honorary consulate of the Philippines in Florence.
EPIFF will take place in Florence, Italy this coming May 19 and will see the following films competing for several awards:
1957 directed by Hubert Tibi and released in 2018.
It’s a story set in Bicol in the year 1957. A group of farmers working under an abusive landlord await the visit of the President Ramon Magsaysay.
KAPAYAPAAN SA GITNA NG DIGMAAN directed by Nestor A. Malgapo and released in 2018.
During the Second World War, when Felicidad married Yoshiaki, a Japanese businessman, many opposed her. Aside from being older than her, he is a widow and has a child. But who can hinder one great love?
THE LEASE directed by Paolo Bertola and released in 2018.
It tells the story of a Philippine-Italian family that goes back to the Philippines since Romano, the father, has been assigned to an important project. The family rents a beautiful villa in Tagaytay but soon their peace of mind is disturbed by strange happenings.
EL PESTE directed by Richard Somes and released in 2018.
Abner lives a drab, downcast, solitary existence. His wife has abandoned him for good. Working for pest control company Panther, his job remains his sole connection to the outside world. It seems going nowhere until he meets Viola, a client whose existence is as sad as his.
EXPRESSWAY directed by Ato Bautista and released in 2016.
A syndicate old-timer named Ben needs to do one last assignment before the boss he works for grants him his much delayed retirement. Assigned to be his partner is the neophyte Morris, a trigger-happy, sadist who yearns to impress the syndicate boss. For Ben, this last assignment turns out to be a journey of introspection, self-healing and redemption.
One of the main goals of the festival is to promote Filipino Cinema in Italy and Europe as a mean to allow Italians and European people to have a better understanding of the complexity of the Philippine society, the richness and diversity of its culture and the amazing beauty of its landscape.
The previous edition saw Honor thy Father of Erick matti winning the best picture prize and Tommy Abuel and Ces Quesada best actor and best actress (respectively in the films Dagsin and Imbisibol)
EPIFF is organized by the Island Stream Cultural Association of Florence, Italy in partnership with the Philippine Italian Association (PIA) and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines Inc. (ICCPI). The Festival is endorsed by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and supported in Italy by Fondazione Sistema Toscana.
