PH Indigenous Cinema Takes Center Stage in Berlinale 2019

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It’s a promising start for Philippine Indigenous cinema this year as a Palawán-Filipino filmmaker will serve as an advisor for the NATIVe – A Journey into Indigenous Cinema special series and Kidlat Tahimik's debut film will have a screening at NATIVe in Berlinale.

Auraeus Solito, also known as Kanakan-Balintagos, is one of the Berlinale NATIVe Advisors who will discuss Indigenous cinema with filmmakers and audiences. His film Busong will be shown at the special series.

Auraeus Solito/Kanakan-Balintagos, one of this year's Berlinale NATIVe Advisors (Photo from the Berlinale website)

Auraeus Solito is thrilled on the international recognition for Philippine Indigenous cinema. He wrote on a Facebook post, “Just amazing that in 2011, Busong (Palawan Fate) premiered at the Cannes Directors' Fortnight, and 8 years later, it screens in another A-list festival, the Berlinale.”

Making the event even more special is the Philippines' National Artist for Film Kidlat Tahimik who will also showcase his 1977 film Mababangong Bangungot (Perfumed Nightmare) under Berlinale NATIVe.

On the other hand, director and screenwriter Emerson Reyes, cinematographer and director Theo Lozada, director and art/production designer Nestor Abrogena, and director and producer Che Tagyamon were selected for Berlinale Talents among the 3,401 applicants from 130 countries.

Under its mandate to promote the local film industry’s growth and development, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) supports the Filipino Berlinale Talents participants through its International Film Studies Assistance Program (IFSAP) under the Film Development Division.

“Berlinale Talents is one of the best platforms for our Filipino filmmakers to build contacts and connect with the best of the field, and we are happy for our delegates this year. FDCP is proud to support our delegates as we intend to continue supporting the presence of our filmmakers in more international platforms and events,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño.

The NATIVe – A Journey into Indigenous Cinema special series will run from February 7 to 15, 2019 in Berlin, Germany.

The Berlinale Talents will be held from February 9 to 14, 2019 at the three venues of HAU Hebbel am Ufer theatre in Berlin, Germany.

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