THE FIRST iteration of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP)-led Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) has ended its successful week-long run with the 12 films showcased in cinemas nationwide garnering P149.5 million in gross receipts – well above the P100 million goal, according to an FDCP executive.

“[I would like to extend my] never-ending gratitude to all of those who came to support the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino. This one-week celebration is proof everyone can come together and celebrate our own works of art. Because of the success of the PPP, you proved that there’s an audience for quality films that not only makes one laugh or shed tears but also shape the nation’s consciousness as long as the story is fit for the taste of the audience it is targeting,” said Mary Liza Diño-Seguerra, chairman and CEO of the FDCP, in an Aug. 23 Facebook post.

The festival was created “in hopes to provide more avenues to local films and producers,” said Ms. Diño-Seguerra during a press conference back in May.

PPP ran from Aug. 16-22 in all cinemas nationwide.

The films screened were: Birdshot by Mikhail Red, 100 Tula para kay Stella by Jason Paul Laxamana, Ang Manananggal sa Unit 23B by Prime Cruz, AWOL by Enzo Williams, Bar Boys by Kip Oebanda, Hamog by Ralston Jover, Paglipay by Zig Dulay, Patay na si Hesus by Victor Villanueva, Pauwi Na by Paolo Villaluna, Salvage by Sherad Anthony Sanchez, Star na si Van Damme Stallone by Randolph Longjas, and Triptiko by Miguel Franco Michelena.

While the festival was not a competition, the FDCP nonetheless gave special citations for select films – the Audience Choice Award was given to 100 Tula para kay Stella, the Critics’ Choice Award went to Birdshot, and the Special Jury Prize Award was given to Patay na si Hesus.

Ms. Diño-Seguerra, in a separate Facebook post, said she was heartened by the response of the audience as they clamored for an extension and announced that some festival films will continue to be screened nationwide until the end of the month under CineLokal, where select SM cinemas screen independent and award-winning local films.

The three top-grossers – 100 Tula Para Kay Stella, Bar Boys, and Patay Na Si Hesus – will continue their cinema run outside the festival also in select cinemas.

ABS-CBN News reported that 100 Tula para kay Stella grossed P60 million on Aug. 21.

Cinema ’76 Film Society, a micro-cinema house located in San Juan, will also be featuring select films from the PPP until the 29th.

For screening schedules of the films beyond the PPP, visit the Facebook pages of CineLokal (https://www.facebook.com/CineLokal.ph) and Cinema ’76 (https://www.facebook.com/cinema76fs). – Zsarlene B. Chua

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