Manila International Film Festival in LA unveils official poster

The inaugural Manila International Film Festival’s official poster honors Hilda Koronel, the recipient of the festival’s Monty Manibog Lifetime Achievement Award. It features the image of Koronel, shown beside Lino Brocka, her acclaimed collaborator. The poster, designed by Elton Lugay and Adam Lang, celebrates Philippine cinema and its talents, MIFF’s main goal. CONTRIBUTED

LOS ANGELES – The inaugural Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) unveiled its official poster honoring Hilda Koronel, who will receive the festival’s Monty Manibog Lifetime Achievement Award, and representing the best of Philippine cinema.

The award was named after the late outstanding community leader who became the first Filipino American to become an elected official in Southern California when he won a seat in the Monterey Park City Council.

The poster image is made up of hundreds of stills from Koronel’s movies with Lino Brocka, including “Insiang” and “Maynila: Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag,” which are considered among the most important works in Philippine cinema.

A closer look at the poster, designed by Elton Lugay and Adam Lang, will reveal that Brocka is beside Koronel, a detail that symbolizes the Philippines’ excellent filmmakers and talents.

MIFF, whose mission is to showcase, promote and help uplift Philippine cinema, has invited the filmmakers and stars behind the 10 Metro Manila Film Festival entries to walk the red carpet in Hollywood during the festival.

The talents from the Philippines are invited to attend MIFF events, including Q&As and personal appearances at select screenings, at the TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood and the Directors Guild of America on Sunset Boulevard.

Scene from the movie GomBurZa, one of the 10 films that will be screened in Hollywood during the Manila International Film Festival. CONTRIBUTED

The 10 films debuting in America at MIFF, including the biggest winners and most nominated in the MMFF awards ceremonies held in Quezon City last Dec. 27, are:

• Jun Robles Lana’s “Becky and Badette” (Eugene Domingo and Pokwang)
• Lemuel C. Lorca’s “Broken Heart’s Trip” (Christian Bables)
• Nuel Naval’s “Family of Two (A Mother and Son Story)” (Sharon Cuneta and Alden Richards)
• Zig Dulay’s “Firefly” (Alessandra De Rossi and Euwenn Mikaell)
• Pepe Diokno’s “GomBurZa” (Enchong Dee, Dante Rivero and Cedrick Juan)
• King Palisoc’s “(K)Ampon” (Beauty Gonzalez and Derek Ramsay)
• Derick Cabrido’s “Mallari” (Piolo Pascual and Janella Salvador)
• Jason Paul Laxamana’s “Penduko” (Matteo Guidicelli and Kylie Verzosa)
• Mae Cruz-Alviar’s “Rewind” (Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes)
• Conrado Peru, Rommel Penesa and Christopher de Leon’s “When I Met You in Tokyo” (Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon)

Screenings and events will be held mainly at the TCL Chinese Theatres. TCL Chinese Theatres is located on the third level of the Ovation Hollywood (formerly Hollywood & Highland), 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028.

MIFF Executive Producer Lisa Lew (left) congratulates Hilda Koronel, who will receive the Monty Manibog Lifetime Achievement Award. The inaugural award was named after Lew’s father, the late Gonzalo “Monty” Manibog, the first Filipino American to become an elected official in Southern California. Photo from Phillip Ner

On the MIFF’s closing day on Feb. 2, the screenings will be at the TCL Chinese Theatres and the DGA, located at 7920 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90046.

A closing night awards gala, where Koronel will receive the Monty Manibog Lifetime Achievement Award and to be graced by stars and filmmakers, is scheduled.

Tickets, including bundles that offer free tickets, are now available here.

The MIFF founders are Omen Ortiz (chairman), Ebradu Udarbe (president), Lisa Lew (executive producer), Ruben Nepales and Janet Nepales, media relations consultants, and Celia Abaya Dy, ticketing manager.

Also on the MIFF team are Leo Dela Cruz, chief financial officer; Erickson Ilog, chief operations officer; Ron Ramores, chief marketing officer; Cindy Sison, consultant; and Meriden Angeles, coordinating producer.

For MIFF sponsorship inquiries, contact Erickson Ilog ([email protected]) and Ron Ramores ([email protected]).