Philippine Ambassador to Italy Domingo Nolasco welcomes Italian officials and members of the diplomatic corps and the Filipino community in Italy at the opening night of the second edition of the Filipino Film Festival in Italy on 21 September 2019 at the Sala Deluxe of Casa del Cinema in Rome.

22 September 2019, Rome – The second edition of the Filipino Film Festival in Italy ran successfully in Rome from 21 to 22 September 2019, taking part in the continuing commemoration of the centennial year of Philippine cinema.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared 12 September 2019 to 11 September 2020 as the Centennial Year of Philippine Cinema under Presidential Proclamation 622 of 2018. A century ago, “Dalagang Bukid” by José Nepomuceno, considered as the first Filipino-produced feature film, was premiered on 12 September 1919.

Members of the diplomatic corps and the Filipino community as well as Italian officials attended the opening night, filling the Sala Deluxe of the Casa del Cinema, one of the major cultural institutions and theatres in Rome.

“In this second edition, we hope to continue the dialogue between Philippine culture and the audiences in Italy through film, with the end view of strengthening people-to-people ties and enhance mutual understanding and acceptance,” said Philippine Ambassador to Italy Domingo P. Nolasco in his welcome remarks at the opening night.

The Filipino Film Festival in Italy was organized by the Philippine Embassy in Rome and Sentro Rizal Rome Branch, in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).

The embassy also displayed a mini exhibit during the festival on the centenary of Philippine film at Casa del Cinema. The exhibit, which was in English and Italian, featured some of the most important and iconic Filipino films such as “Genghis Khan” (1950), “Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag” (1975), “Ganito Kami Noon…Paano Kayo Ngayon” (1976), and “Oro Plata Mata” (1982). The displays were from advocacy materials of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts for the centennial anniversary.

“Thanks to our continued partnership with the FDCP and its Chair Mary Liza Diño, we are able to bring about the second edition within a year after the first edition,” the Philippine ambassador said.

The FDCP supports Philippine diplomatic missions abroad through the Philippine Embassy Assistance Program, which facilitates the acquisition of rights for screenings abroad and other technical support.

The film “Distance” by Percy Intalan was screened at the festival’s opening night. The two-day event also featured “Hintayan ng Langit” by Dan Villegas, “I’m Drunk, I Love You” by JP Habac, “Lugta ke Temama” by Kevin Piamonte, and “Mamang” by Denise O’Hara. END

Philippine Ambassador to Italy Domingo Nolasco talks with one of the guests at the reception hosted by the Philippine Embassy in Rome for the opening night of the second edition of the Filipino Film Festival in Italy on 21 September 2019 at the Sala Deluxe of Casa del Cinema in Rome.

Guests mingle at the opening night reception of the second edition of the Filipino Film Festival in Italy on 21 September 2019 at the Sala Deluxe of Casa del Cinema in Rome. The opening night of the festival was attended by Italian officials and members of the diplomatic corps and Filipino community in Rome.

Local moviegoers check out the mini exhibit on the centennial anniversary of Philippine film before entering the cinema for one of the films of the second edition of the Filipino Film Festival in Italy on 22 September 2019 at the Sala Deluxe of Casa del Cinema in Rome. The exhibit featured some of the most important and iconic Filipino films such as Genghis Khan (1950), Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag (1975), Ganito Kami Noon…Paano Kayo Ngayon (1976), and Oro Plata Mata (1982).