RP indie film a finalist in Shanghai film fest

MANILA, Philippines — A Philippine independent film is a finalist in the 12th Shanghai International Film Festival, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. The DFA website (www.dfa.gov.ph) said "Prinsipe Sabong" directed by Yeng Grande was nominated as a finalist of the Asian New Talent Award Competition. "The Philippine entry Prinsipe Sabong joined the list of finalists for the Asian New Talent Award Competition. This award attracts outstanding and new film talents and provides a stage for them to show their works to the world’s film industry," the DFA said. Prinsipe Sabong also recently won the Gold Remi Best Picture Award at the Worldfest Film Festival in Houston, Texas and the Bronze Palm Award at the Mexico International Film Festival. "The film was very well received by both the Filipino and Chinese audience. Mr. Shaorong Lu found the cockfighting scenes 'very exciting' and commented that 'the family is very important to Filipinos,'" the DFA said. It said the 12th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) was held from June 13 to 21. SIFF, held annually in China’s most populous city, aims to celebrate the cinematic arts and stimulate the development of the motion picture industry. Organizers choose and invite the international films that will be presented in the various festival’s film competitions, SIFF Mart, Film Forum and the International Panorama. Philippine Consul General to Shanghai Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez; consulate officers and staff; Michelle Shen, president of the Filipino Community of Shanghai; Moises Sumile; Lemie Yee, General Manager, Daichi Corp.; and members of the Filipino Community attended the screening of Prinsipe Sabong at the Shanghai Film Art Center last June 19. - GMANews.TV