By Lily O Ramos
MANILA, June 4 (PNA)–Officers of the Cultural Center of the Philippines(CCP) and The Japan Foundation Manila signed an agreement Friday evening making Eigasai, the Japanese Film Festival, and the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and Competition as allied festivals.
The alliance will provide both festivals with opportunities for film exchange, help in the promotion of both events and contribute to audience building and film education.
For the 12th Cinemalaya Festival on Aug. 5 to 14,the Japan Foundation Manila Office (JFMO) will bring two Japanese independent films, “Ken and Kazu” by Hiroshi Shoji and “August in Tokyo” by Ryutaro Nakagawa.
These two films will be featured in the Cinemalaya’s Asian section.
For Eigasai 2016 in July, Cinemalaya will present two films for free to the public.
As a pre-event to Cinemalaya, respected director Masato Harada, who is the guest of honor of this year’s Eigasai and whose film “Kakemomi” will kick off the festival, will hold a film talk on July 8 at the CCP Tanghalang Manuel Conde.
The talk follows the special screening of Harada’s “The Emperor in August” at the CCP Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino.
Cinemalaya is a yearly film competition and festival organized by the CCP and the Cinemalaya Foundation that aims to encourage the creation of new cinematic works by Filipino filmmakers –- works that boldly articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity.
The Eigasai is the annual Japanese film festival organized by JFMO in cooperation with the Embassy of Japan.
It is held every July which is designated as Philippines-Japan Friendship Month.