Pinoy indie films at Sydney Film Fest

MANILA, Philippines - Two Filipino independent movies will be screened at the 55th Sydney Film Festival, which will be held from 4 to 22 June 2008. "Slingshot" (Tirador) is an indie film about daily life in Manila slums and shows off Mendoza's impressive skill in presenting a narrative on Manila's constant unpredictability and transforming its ground-level chaos into art. "Foster Child" features a day in the life of a foster family preparing to say goodbye to the boy they have raised and exhibits Mendoza's fine sense of control and sophisticated use of space, with the film's focused, linear progression allowing character and emotion to gently build without the unwieldy shifts. Slingshot (Tirador) will be shown on 10 and 11 June 2008 at Greater Union George Street Cinemas. Foster Child will be shown on 9 and 12 June 2008 at Greater Union George Street Cinemas. The Sydney Film Festival screens feature films, documentaries, short films and animations. It is New South Wales' finest showcase for contemporary cinema from Australia and around the world. It is a major cultural event in Sydney and one of the world's longest running film festivals. Director Mendoza will be in Sydney during the Festival to introduce the screening of each of his films. He will also participate in other festival and industry functions, media and audience interviews and panel discussions. His participation in the Sydney Film festival is supported by the Philippine Consulate General and the National Commission on Culture and the Arts. Consul General Maria Theresa P. Lazaro said that "the Sydney Film Festival is one of the excellent venues to project the artistic and technical expertise of Filipino film directors. “Slingshot" and “Foster Child" have received numerous awards from different film festivals around the world and it will not be a surprise if these films also receive recognition in Sydney." For the full program of the 55th Sydney Film Festival, please visit www.sydneyfilmfestival.org. -DFA, GMANews.TV