AFTER CANNES AND QCINEMA, DIRECTORS FACTORY PHL FILMS MAKE HOMECOMING PREMIERE IN DAPITAN

The Directors Factory Philippines 2024 filmmakers are still amazed by how far their short films have traveled—from Dapitan City in Zamboanga del Norte to the Cannes Film Festival in France, and most recently, to the QCinema International Film Festival 2024, where their works were featured as opening films.

- CHARMIE JOY PAGULONG

It became a full circle moment for them as they graced the homecoming premiere of their films at the Teatro de Dapitan, along with French director Dominique Welinski, Dapitan City's local officials and talents. The STAR also attended the event.

An omnibus film project started by the Cannes Directors' Fortnight section, Directors Factory Philippines features four short films under the direction of Filipino filmmakers with their Southeast Asian counterparts. These are: "Cold Cut" by Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan (Philippines) and Tan Siyou (Singapore); "Silig" by Arvin Belarmino (Philippines) and Lomorpich Rithy a.k.a. YoKi (Cambodia); "Nightbirds" by Maria Estela Paiso (Philippines) and Ashok Vish (India); and "Walay Balay" by Eve Baswel (Philippines) and Gogularaajan Rajendran (Malaysia).

These were filmed at the Shrine City of the Philippines from February to March this year, screened at the Théâtre Croisette in Cannes in May, and at the QCinema on Nov. 8 at the Gateway Cineplex 18. The directors, crew and actors were hosted by Dakak Resort during filming and the post-production process. The project was co-produced by Bradley Liew (Epicmedia Philippines) and Dominique's production outfit DW, in partnership with Quezon City Film Commission and Local Government of Dapitan, CMB Film Services, Anima Studios of Kroma Entertainment via general manager Bianca Balbuena, Paul Soriano of Ten17P, Terminal Six Post, and Barebones, Inc.

"Cold Cut" co-director Don felt nostalgic upon setting foot again in Dapitan for the premiere. "When we arrived here today, nabigla rin ako like, 'Oh wow, we were just here yesterday, we just finished filming here.' At the same time, I wish our co-director from Singapore is here also because the four of us (including two lead actors) became 'family' when we did the film. We are happy to be entrusted (as directors) and (we) believed in our concept. So, nakakatuwa rin and nostalgic to be here again in Dapitan."