Cover Film still of ‘Thirstygirl’ (dir. Alexandra Qin)
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Four Filipino filmmakers bring bold and diverse storytelling to the global stage, addressing the complexities of the human experience
The Philippines continues to captivate audiences worldwide, setting global standards of intrepid storytelling and bold creativity. Four Filipino filmmakers are showcasing their films at the upcoming Sundance Film Festival. One documentary and three short films will screen from January 18-28 in Salt Lake City and Park City in Utah.
The films address bold themes such as sex addiction, the confrontation of internal and external horrors, and the pursuit of love and intimacy in the digital age–topics that don’t usually come up in everyday conversations.
Sundance Film Festival’s short film programmer Irene Suico remarks, “While these topics may radiate a certain seductive allure, beneath the surface, there exists a profound and delicate exploration of the human experience and challenges of navigating the world.”
As one of the largest and most prestigious independent film festivals, SFF provides a platform for the exhibition of pioneering filmmakers, promoting diverse and often unconventional storytelling.
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1. And So It Begins (dir. Ramona Diaz)
Above Film still of ‘And So It Begins’ (dir. Ramona Diaz)
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The documentary follows then-senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist Maria Ressa, and Vice President Leni Robredo—three key influential figures with the power to manoeuvre the country's political landscape—as they take on the 2022 Philippine presidential elections.
Ramona S. Diaz is known for her cutthroat award-winning films that have been screened at prestigious film festivals worldwide. Diaz, a Guggenheim Fellow, was named the inaugural McGurn Family Trust Resident in Film by the American Academy in Rome in 2021.
2. Dream Creep (dir. Carlos AF Lopez)
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In this chilling horror piece, a couple is stirred awake in the dead of night by mysterious sounds emanating from an unexpected source.
Carlos AF Lopez is a half-Filipino and half-Mexican musician-turned-filmmaker with over a decade of creative experience in the Seattle underground scene. His short film Ghosting the Party debuted at the Nashville Film, earning him a Special Jury Prize.
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3. Thirstygirl (dir. Alexandra Qin)
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This 10-minute drama revolves around a woman attempting to conceal her secret sex addiction from her younger sister during a road trip.
The film marks Qin’s directorial debut and serves as the proof-of-concept for her award-winning feature screenplay of the same name. Before venturing into filmmaking, Qin founded Emergent Works, a nonprofit organisation teaching coding skills to formerly incarcerated individuals.
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4. Bold Eagle (dir. Whammy Alcazaren)
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Film still of ‘Bold Eagle’ (dir. Whammy Alcazaren)
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Confined at home during the pandemic lockdown with only his talking cat and an arsenal of hallucinogenic drugs, a lonely “alter” seeks refuge by performing indecent acts on the internet for strange men. The 16-minute experimental dramedy film will compete alongside 52 other short films as part of SFF’s Midnight Short Film Program.
Whammy Alcazaren is a filmmaker and production designer from Manila. His debut short film, Bold Eagle, earned him the prestigious Best International Short award at the 2023 Fantasia Film Festival and was showcased at the 61st New York Film Festival.
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Credits
Images: Sundance Film Festival
About
Julianna has been interested in leading a literary life since she first read Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess at eight. Before working with Tatler, she was an archive intern at The Center for Fiction in Brooklyn, New York. She is a textbook Pisces who devotes most of her spare time to her crochet projects, watching classic films, and going through her never-ending pile of unread books. She studied creative writing, global literature and art history at Sarah Lawrence College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2022. Toni Morrison, Nora Ephron, Clarice Lispector and Jia Tolentino are among her all-time favourite writers.
Work
Julianna writes about fashion, beauty, sustainability, and the arts. She is always keen on conducting interviews with talented women who are changing the game in their respective fields.
For event invites and story leads, hit her up at julianna.cabili@tatlerasia.com
