The first Filipino film festival in South Korea is scheduled to open in September 2019 – right before the opening of Busan International Film Festival.
Korea Pinoy International Film Festival in Seoul will be a 3-day event held as part of the Philippine Cinema Centennial Celebrations. The festival also marks the 70th anniversary of diplomacy between South Korea and the Philippines.
The Filipino film festival is being mounted by multi-awarded filmmaker and social entrepreneur Nash Ang who is currently based in Seoul on a scholarship for advanced studies in filmmaking. Ang is working with several collaborators to stage the historic event.
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Ang, who was awarded Best Director at the 13th Pyongyang International Film Festival, shared to Good News Pilipinas that the first ever Filipino Film Festival in Korea is his way of appreciating the Philippine film community.
“Korea Pinoy Film Festival is one of the initiatives I want to do to give back to the community where I came from,” said Nash Ang, a two-time “Ani ng Dangal” awardee of the Philippines.
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Ang adds, “In terms of filmmaking I think I achieved most of the things I want to.” Best known for his socially relevant films, the Korea-based filmmaker’s “Paraiso” won Best Film at the 21st Cine Eco Film Festival in Portugal.
Nash Ang also directed “Seoul Mates,” the first Filipino-Korean co-produced film. His first film won Best Film at the 1st South East Asian Documentary Awards in Thailand. He was the Grand Prize winner of the ASEAN-Korea Multimedia Competition.
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Korea Pinoy International Film Festival is expected to revolve around the theme of migration, its effects and migration policies according to a report by Korea Times.
Ang reveals that the Korea Pinoy International Film Festival will present films with discussions from directors, actors, producers, and professionals in the entertainment industry.
The Filipino film festival project will have the participation of the Philippine Embassy of Korea, Filam Creatives of Los Angeles, Pinoy Iskolars sa Korea, the Filipino community of South Korea, and Koreans who have interest in Philippine arts and culture.
Ang also shares he specifically chose the festival site in the Seongbuk district for its access to the Daehangno entertainment area, a popular meeting spot for Filipinos that has a weekly “Little Manila” Hyehwa flea market.
The Korea Pinoy International Film Festival will take place on September 27-29 at Arirang Cinema Center, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul.
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