Concerto US Premiere on May 9. 09 - Wash. DC

"Concerto" is an Official Selection of Politics on Film at its inaugural festival on May 7 - 10, 2009 in Washington, DC USA‏

“Concerto” will  be shown on Saturday, May 9th, at 7:30 PM at the George Washington University Amphitheater.  This university is located in the center of Washington.

From the festival:

We received over 100 entries from American and foreign filmmakers, and focused on high quality, thoughtful work that reflected our desire to showcase superior work connected to our “political” theme.  Your film met this criteria and we are pleased that we will be able to give it exposure to a broader audience. 

Politics on Film
http://www.politicsonfilm.com
101 Constitution Avenue, NW
Suite 710 East
Washington, DC  20001
(Office)     202-742-4439
(mobile)    202-460-9056

from their site:

About Politics On Film

Why Politics on Film?

Film is the most prolific form of storytelling of our time. It is a medium that can draw people to watch, listen and learn about topics that might never compel them to pick up a book or a magazine. Our nation’s politics, policy struggles and stories are frequently the basis and inspiration for movies. Surprisingly, although many film festivals focus on very narrow policy/political themes like the Environmental Film Festival or the Conservative Film Festival there is no festival devoted to showcasing film dealing with political subject matter more broadly. And there is no greater place to house such a festival than the nation’s capital.

What is a “political” film?

Politics on Film takes a broad perspective on what constitutes a “political” film. Our definition for qualifying entries is:

Politics on Film screens Washington premieres of films dealing with either political or issue/policy-oriented subject matter irrespective of genre, which could encompass drama, thriller/suspense, comedy/satire or biography/historical. Any film focused on or set around government – federal, state or local; government agencies; political campaigns and elections; public policy or social issues such as (but not limited to) health care, taxation, welfare, education, agricultural policy, energy supply and policy, trade, human rights or foreign aid programs; defense, war or foreign affairs; advocacy or civic movements; either contemporary or historical in nature will be considered.

Mission Statement

Politics on Film is a project of the Washington Political Film Foundation and is made possible by an alliance with the Bipartisan Policy Center. It is an annual, bipartisan film festival based in Washington DC dedicated to providing a platform for films that tell stories of America’s politics and policies. The festival celebrates the power of film to educate and motivate, as well as entertain. The Festival also celebrates the historic and ongoing legacy of films about American government and democracy, as well as related stories and themes from an international perspective.

Return to Casa San Miguel

  A year after our location shooting at Casa San Miguel in Zambalez, I was able to return for the 1st Pundaquit Film Festival.

Our host and co-producer Coke Bolipata and Festival Director Ruelo Luzendo put together an interesting mix of films, all of which have a connection to this artist’s center in Zambalez, beginning with Sari Dalena’s seminal 16mm film,  “White Funeral” which featured dancers Myra Beltran and a young Nina Hayuma Habulan, in a lahar landscape shot also by our Concerto DOP, Regiben Romana.

As center piece of the festival, the young audience mostly of students in the area, had the rare opportunity to watch Concerto and Boses, the two Cinemalaya films co-produced by Casa San Miguel, in the actual location where they were shot.  

I missed the festival opening where the other filmmakers were present and instead was able to attend the last day of the festival. The kids had a fun time seeing Julian Duque, the child prodigy featured in Boses and Coke himself around the grounds after the screenings.

I mentioned that they had the opportunity to figure out where Concerto was shot and some gamely explored our location after the screening.

Returning to Casa San Miguel I remembered all the trials and miracles of our protracted 10 day shoot last year. 

Truly a magical air of creativity abounds in Casa San Miguel. :)