FilAm Creative Film Festival, project grant meant for aspiring filmmakers

Filmmaking dreams soar with the FilAm Creative Film Festival and Birns and Sawyer Grant | Photo from @facfilmfestival/Instagram

There’s a wealth of Filipino talent everywhere, especially in the film industry. Recently, one soaring at the forefront of the silver screen is Dolly De Leon whose work in “Triangle of Sadness” earned her Golden Globes and BAFTA nominations. 

Filipino Sundance entry “In My Mother’s Skin” was also picked up by Prime Video earlier this year, while the 2022 indie film “Leonor Will Never Die” also received the Special Jury Prize for Innovative Spirit at Sundance. 

A good number of Filipino films, both mainstream and independently produced, are also being hosted by various international streaming platforms such as Netflix. This just goes to show the quality and talent evident in these works.

In honor of these talented Filipino and Filipino-American artists, the FilAm Creative Film Festival is celebrating the brilliant minds of Filipino filmmakers.

FilAm Creative, the nonprofit driving force behind the film “Baldy for the Blind” is hosting its inaugural film fest, the FilAm Creative Film Festival. It will make its grand debut from Nov. 3 to 5 at Occidental College in Eagle Rock, California.

Their mission? To boost Fil-Am artists’ presence, break barriers, and pave the way for Filipino and AAPI talents to soar in the entertainment scene. With FilAm Creative’s impressive resume of having more than 170 events, a collection of web series, original shorts, and PSAs in their 13 years of existence, their artistic prowess is undeniable.

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FilAm Creative’s vision for artists

FilAm Creative executive director Mark Labella says, “This festival isn’t just about films; it’s about uniting good-hearted people who share a love for storytelling.”

Jennielyn Abrot, JAR Entertainment’s driving force, adds that the festival aims to catapult talented Filipino and AAPI artists onto an international platform. “Our goal is to highlight them and their works, and give them a platform to rise.”

Since its inception in 2010, the Los Angeles-based nonprofit has aimed to feature underrepresented voices in the entertainment industry. FilAm Creative Board of Directors representative Ed Mallilin adds, “We’re not just about films; we’re cultivating leaders who share our vision.”

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Lighting up the fest with the Birns & Sawyer Film Grant

On Aug. 26, the festival will kick off its campaign through the invite-only debut party and announcement of the Birns & Sawyer/FilAm Creative FilAm Festival Camera Package Grant. 

Thanks to the help of Seafood City, a major business in the Filipino/Asian market in USA and Canada, one team or filmmaker gets the chance to win digital camera packages, lenses, and accessories for their next short film endeavor. The winner’s grand reveal will be on Nov. 5.

The launch party will be hosted by CEO of Birns & Sawyer Mari Acevedo. Acevedo notably shares the same goals with FilAm Creative. In 2020, she became the first woman and person of color to lead Birns & Sawyer as CEO. She represents diversity, particularly for young filmmakers, non-binary individuals, and people of color.

True to its mission, FilAm Creative continuously and consistently pushes for avenues for Filipino creatives to shine. Among these events are screenings and panel discussions, such as the TV industry panel of “The Cleaning Lady,” and “The Art of Philippine Cinema: Cutting through the Noise Producer Panel” as well as the world premiere of the film “Baldy for the Blind.”.