The Chicago Filipino American Film Festival

Be sure to check out our award-winning films THE MOUNTAIN THIEF at 2:30 PM and SABUNGERO at 5 pm. All seats $10, plenty of tickets available at the door.

Audiences were moved by Gerry Balasta’s powerful and emotional debut feature film, THE MOUNTAIN THIEF  at our Saturday night screening, and Gerry was available for a Q&A about the film and the important work that has been done as part of this very special project. Don’t miss this opportunity to see this eye-opening film and discuss the film with the director in person.

Our closing night film, SABUNGERO, takes a candid look at the world of sabong (cockfighting) and follows the story of a man whose passion for the sport gives way to gambling and obsession.

Join us for the Chicago Premiere of new feature films from two talented Filipino American Filmmakers: Gerry Balasta (THE MOUNTAIN THIEF) and Eric Espejo (GHOSTS DON’T EXIST), at a special Filmmaker Reception hosted by FAN on Saturday, November 6, at 7 PM at the historic Portage Theater at 4050 N. Milwaukee Ave in Chicago at Milwaukee just north of Irving Park Rd.

Gerry Balasta’s debut feature film has won the Special Jury Prize at the 2010 San Francisco International Film Festival, the George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award at the D.C.-APA Film Festival, and the Grand Prix at the Culture&Cultures International Film Festival in France. THE MOUNTAIN THIEF has won over Asian American and broader audiences across the U.S. and Europe.

A Chicago premiere, THE MOUNTAIN THIEF enters the vast Payatas garbage dumps, and follows the moving stories of the residents who make their daily living as scavengers. Balasta held acting workshops as a form of artistic outreach with actual residents of Payatas, and the participants in this program make up the cast of this moving and important film.

THE MOUNTAIN THIEF will screen on Saturday, November 6 at 8 PM immediately following the reception, and a repeat screening on Sunday, November 7 at2:30 PM. Q&A with Gerry Balasta to follow both screenings. All seats $10.

Eric Espejo’s feature film GHOSTS DON’T EXIST is a horror thriller that follows the story of a television “ghost hunter” whose questionable investigations into the paranormal become suddenly very real and very personal. Espejo directed the film from his own script that gained the attention of Chris Cooley of the Washington Redskins,who served as producer for the film.

GHOSTS DON’T EXIST won a D.C. Filmmaker Award at the D.C. Independent Film Festival. GHOSTS DON’T EXIST will screen on Saturday, November 6 at 4:30 PM followed by a QA with Eric Espejo. All seats $10.

The evening continues with an drink specials at our CFAFF Saturday Afterparty at CUNA LOUNGE at 1113 W. Belmont Ave. For more information visit www.cfaff.org.

CFAFF continues a six year tradition of presenting outstanding short form narrative, short documentary, and music video.  The Short Film Program will be on Sunday, November 7 at 12pm.  Students with valid student ID get in FREE.  $10 general admission.

“Anino” by Raymond Red
This classic short directed by Raymond Red was honored with the Golden Palm at the Cannes Film Festival, in 2002, a landmark in Philippine cinema. Red’s feature film Manila Skies opens our 2010 festival.

“Harang” (“Barriers”) by Mikhail Red
A jeepney driver encounters carjackers on the open road, in a short film by Mikhail Red that examines the nature of cynicism and mistrust.

“Kamera” by Mikhail Red
Lav Diaz, a legend of Filipino independent film, stars as a solitary filmmaker who passes on a legacy of cinema to an unlikely heir.

“66 Years, 2 Months, 21 Days… and Still Counting” by Mona Lisa Yuchengco
Delfin Gonzales, Sr., 95 years of age, recounts life, marriage, and family with extraordinary clarity in a deeply moving and resonant account of  one man’s life in the 20th century. Directed by Mona Lisa Yuchengco.

“Penny for Your Thoughts” by Ziggy Chicano
Do things work out the way they do in all those romantic comedies? Local filmmaker Ziggy Chicano answers.

“Halcyon Days” by Steve Mallorca
Steve Mallorca (SLOW JAM KING) offers a new music video from The Jack Lords, whose music was featured in the feature film THREE TO FIVE AND GLASSY.

“Mother” by John Raposas
A young woman faces the challenges of adopting a child with special needs in a short film by John Raposas.

“Letters from Alaska” by Roberto Ang Reyes
A migrant worker in Alaska reflects on the alienation of working overseas.

CFAFF 2010 SCHEDULE

The Chicago Filipino American Film Festival is proud to announce its 2010 schedule.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER  5,  7:00 PM
OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER  5,  8:00 PM
Opening Night Presentation
MANILA SKIES (HIMPAPAWID)
Directed by Raymond Red.  (Philippines)
The Chicago Filipino American Film Festival opens its 2010 program with MANILA SKIES, a new feature film from Raymond Red, winner of a Palme D’Or at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival and a true master of Philippine cinema. Shot using With visually stunning cinematography set against a gritty urban landscape, Manila Skies tells the story of Raul, a frustrated dockworker who is driven by a series of unfortunate events into a final act of desperation.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER  5,  10:30 PM
AFTERPARTY (LOCATION TBA)

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER  6, 2:00 PM
THE UNDERACHIEVERS
Directed by D.B. Cheng (U.S.)
Twentysomethings Drew, Brandon and Jake, friends since high school and fellow comic book fans, must rally together as they face the challenges of adult life. Will their superhero fantasies be enough to save them when their real lives fall short of their dreams and a secret rival unhatches an elaborate scheme of revenge. An upbeat indie feature from D.B. Cheng with winning performances from James Lontayao, Tom Lazur, and James Chen.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER  6, 4:30 PM
GHOSTS DON’T EXIST
Directed by Eric Espejo (U.S.)
Philip Roebuck stars as a television  personality and ghost investigator who takes on one last assignment when his the paranormal hits disturbingly close to home. A tightly woven horror and suspense thriller written and directed by Filipino American filmmaker Eric Espejo. Winner of the D.C. Independent Film Festival

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER  6, 7:00 PM
FILMMAKER RECEPTION

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER  6, 8:00 PM
Centerpiece Presentation
THE MOUNTAIN THIEF
Directed by Gerry Balasta. (U.S./Philippines)
A father struggles to care for his son in Promised Land, an impoverished shanty town where the residents live day by day as scavengers among the garbage heaps of Payatas. First-time director, Gerry Balasta from New York City delivers a powerful debut feature that showcases the performances of actual residents of Payatas who participated in an acting workshop run by Balasta himself. Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival and the George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award at the DC-APA Film Festival.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER  6, 10:30 PM
AFTERPARTY (LOCATION TBA)

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER  7, 12:00 PM
CFAFF SHORT FILM PROGRAM
With our 2010 Shorts Program, CFAFF continues a six year tradition of presenting outstanding short form narrative, short documentary, and music video.

“Anino”
By Raymond Red
This classic short directed by Raymond Red was honored with the Golden Palm at the Cannes Film Festival in 2002. A landmark in Philippine cinema. Red’s feature film Manila Skies opens our 2010 festival.

“Harang” (“Barriers”)
By Mikhail Red
A jeepney driver encounters carjackers on the open road, in a short film by Mikhail Red that examines the nature of cynicism and mistrust.

“Kamera”
By Mikhail Red
Lav Diaz, a legend of Filipino independent film, stars as a solitary filmmaker who passes on a legacy of cinema to an unlikely heir.

“66 Years, 2 Months, 21 Days… and Still Counting”
By Mona Lisa Yuchengco
Delfin Gonzales, Sr., 95 years of age, recounts life, marriage, and family with extraordinary clarity in a deeply moving and resonant account of one man’s life in the 20th century. Directed by Mona Lisa Yuchengco.

“Penny for Your Thoughts”
Ziggy Chicano
Do things work out the way they do in all those romantic comedies? Local filmmaker Ziggy Chicano answers.

“Halcyon Days”
Steve Mallorca
Steve Mallorca (SLOW JAM KING) offers a new music video from The Jack Lords, whose music was featured in the feature film THREE TO FIVE AND GLASSY.

“Mother”
By John Raposas
A young woman faces the challenges of adopting a child with special needs in a short film by John Raposas.

“Letters from Alaska”
Roberto Ang Reyes
A migrant worker in Alaska reflects on the alienation of working overseas.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER  7, 2:30 PM
THE MOUNTAIN THIEF (Repeat)

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER  7, 5:00 PM
Closing Night Presentation
SABUNGERO
Directed by Miguel Kaimo and Rozie Delgado (Philippines)
A man with a gift for breeding and raising champion gamecocks sacrifices career and family when his passion for the sport leads to obsession. With a moving lead performance by veteran Filipino actor Joel Torre and a talented supporting cast, SABUNGERO offers a candid glimpse into the world of Sabong. Winner of the Aloha Accolade Award at the 2010 Honolulu International Film Festival and the Golden Palm at the 2010 Mexico International Film Festival.

The Chicago Filipino American Film Festival is proud to announce its 2010 FEATURE FILM lineup.

MANILA SKIES (HIMPAPAWID)
Directed by Raymond Red.  (Philippines)
The Chicago Filipino American Film Festival opens its 2010 program with MANILA SKIES, a new feature film from Raymond Red, winner of a Palme D’Or at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival and a true master of Philippine cinema. Shot using With visually stunning cinematography set against a gritty urban landscape, Manila Skies tells the story of Raul, a frustrated dockworker who is driven by a series of unfortunate events into a final act of desperation.

THE MOUNTAIN THIEF
Directed by Gerry Balasta. (U.S./Philippines)
A father struggles to care for his son in Promised Land, an impoverished shanty town where the residents live day by day as scavengers among the garbage heaps of Payatas. First-time director, Gerry Balasta from New York City delivers a powerful debut feature that showcases the performances of actual residents of Payatas who participated in an acting workshop run Balasta himself. Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival and the George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award at the DC-APA Film Festival.

SABUNGERO
Directed by Miguel Kaimo (Philippines)
A man with a gift for breeding and raising champion gamecocks sacrifices career and family when his passion for the sport leads to obsession. With a moving lead performance by veteran Filipino actor Joel Torre and a talented supporting cast, SABUNGERO offers a candid glimpse into the world of Sabong. Winner of the Aloha Accolade Award at the 2010 Honolulu International Film Festival and the Golden Palm at the 2010 Mexico International Film Festival.

THE UNDERACHIEVERS
Directed by D.B. Cheng (U.S.)
Twentysomethings Drew, Brandon and Jake, friends since high school and fellow comic book fans, must rally together as they face the challenges of adult life. Will their superhero fantasies be enough to save them when their real lives fall short of their dreams and a secret rival unhatches an elaborate scheme of revenge. An upbeat indie feature from D.B. Cheng with winning performances from James Lontayao, Tom Lazur, and James Chen.

GHOSTS DON’T EXIST
Directed by Eric Espejo (U.S.)
Philip Roebuck stars as a television  personality and ghost investigator who takes on one last assignment when his the paranormal hits disturbingly close to home. A tightly woven horror and suspense thriller written and directed by Filipino American filmmaker Eric Espejo. Winner of the D.C. Independent Film Festival

The Chicago Filipino American Film Festival will take place November 5-7, 2010 at the historic PORTAGE THEATER in CHICAGO.  Stay tuned for showtimes and short and documentary lineup, as well as trailers and descriptions of all of our 2010 program.

SAVE THE DATE: THE 2010 CHICAGO FILIPINO AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL November 5-7

The Chicago Filipino American Film Festival will take place November 5-7, 2010 at the Portage Theater.

CFAFF 2010
at the PORTAGE THEATER
4050 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60641
www.cfaff.org

Official film program to be announced soon.

The Chicago Filipino American Film Festival (CFAFF) exhibits Filipino and Filipino American feature films, shorts, and music videos. In its seventh year of operation, this years event will take place in November 2010.

CFAFF provides filmmakers with a chance to show their works in an established film festival and provides the Chicago community to see works by artists of Filipino heritage. Our festival is held in the historic Portage Theater and has presented several Chicago, U.S. and World Premieres, and has hosted guest filmmakers and performers from all over the world.

Volunteering for CFAFF is an opportunity to have fun, gain valuable experience, and get involved with a program that brings together hundreds of Filipino Americans from the Chicagoland area and the Midwest.

Volunteers will have the opportunity to get involved with planning and coordination, film programming, fundraising, and marketing. Volunteers are free to contribute on the basis of personal interest, relevant work experience is not a requirement.

CFAFF 2010 Volunteer Meeting at CUNA

7pm Tuesday, June 29, 2010

1113 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, Il 60657

The Chicago Filipino American Film Festival is now accepting entries for its 2010 Program.

The Chicago Filipino American Film Festival features feature films and short works in the following categories:

• Feature-length Narrative
• Documentary (Feature Length)
• Short (Narrative or Experimental)
• Documentary (Short)
• Music Video

The Chicago Filipino American Film Festival invites all films made by, for, or about people of Filipino descent. Qualifying films will include, but not be limited to:

• Works featuring the talents of directors, performers, writers, and other filmmakers of Filipino descent from the United States, the Philippines, and throughout the world.
• Stories, characters, and themes about Filipinos, Filipino Americans, and others of Filipino descent.
• Issues and topics relevant to audiences of Filipino descent.

For entry form and shipping information, please visit www.cfaff.org or download our entry form here.

Mr. Sadman Trailer from Mr. Sadman on Vimeo.

The Chicago Filipino American Film Festival and the Filipino American Network will co-present MR. SADMAN, a new feature length film by Filipino American filmmaker PATRICK EPINO, with the Foundation for Asian American Independent Media at the Chicago Asian American Showcase.

The screening will be held at the Gene Siskel Film Center at 164 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60601 at 8:30 PM on Friday, April 9, 2010.

For more information, visit the Chicago Asian American Showcase at http://www.faaim.org/

From FAAIM:
1990, Baghdad: Mounir, an impressionable and sheltered Saddam Hussein body-double, is blissfully unaware of the impending events that vow to unravel his life. When an angry dissenter attacks him and leaves behind an unsightly facial scar, Mounir suddenly finds himself without a job or a home. Looking for a fresh start, he heads to Los Angeles – the place where every nobody goes to become a somebody. Taking advantage of his newfound anonymity in a land where scant few have yet heard of Saddam, Mounir struggles to adapt to life in his new home.

CFAFF hosts World Premiere of our first FEATURE LENGTH FILM from a CHICAGO filmmaker.