The 2014 “Across Asia Film Festival: Focus on Filipino New Wave” was held in Rome on 31 May to 01 June 2014 at Italy’s Museo delle Arti del XXI secolo (National Museum of Art of the 21st Century) or the MAXXI, a building designed by famous Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid
With the strong support of the Filipino Development Council of the Philippines, the following Filipino “new wave” films were featured during the Film Festival, free of charge:
The Film Fest also generated a festive atmosphere with a wonderful celebration of Filipino sound and movement. Filipino performers rendered distinct Filipino performances from ballad songs, rap music, beatbox, hiphop dance, and the Filipino singkil and tinikling.
The Philippine Embassy in Rome manifested pride in Filipino filmmakers who were featured in the Across Asia Film Festival. Mr. de la Cruz went personally to Rome to share his talent through his films to both Filipinos and Italians alike.
In the morning of 01 June, Mr. de la Cruz conducted a free filmmaking seminar entitled “The Zero Minute Film School”, which was attended by both Filipino and Italian film enthusiasts.
In the evening, Mr. de la Cruz again rendered a public performance through a free piano concert while accompanying the showing of his film entitled Kalakala, about the victims of typhoon Sendong.
In his remarks to formally open the Film Festival, Ambassador Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr. said that while some independent Filipino films featured in movie festivals may tend to focus on the seamy and sordid side of the Philippine life, the greater majority of Filipinos are law-abiding citizens and that is possible to lead peaceful, productive lives all throughout the Philippines.
The Embassy commended the Across Asia Film Festival in advancing better appreciation of Filipino culture and arts, for being an important partner of the Embassy in promoting a positive image of the Philippines and the Filipino people.
