October 31, 2008
/24-7PressRelease/ -- To celebrate its 5th anniversary, the Chicago Filipino American Film Festival (CFAFF) will provide free passes for all students and seniors during its weekend showcase of works by Filipino and Filipino-American filmmakers. The festival will be held at the newly refurbished Portage Theatre, on Chicago's northwest side, during the weekend of November 7-9.
The free day passes can be used for all screenings during the selected day. Only full-time students or seniors aged 55 and over may receive a free day pass. The day passes will be awarded on a First come, first serve basis; and up to 900 free day passes will be provided for each day.
More information about the day pass and the entire weekend program are available on the festival website, http://www.CFAFF.org.
The festival opens on Friday, November 7, with its opening night feature, Santa Mesa, about an orphaned Filipino-American boy who must return to a grandmother and a country he has never known. This will be followed by CFAFF's first music video award, accompanied by live performances by two of Chicago's hottest new bands: Bagwis; and Paolo Escobar & the Prescriptions.
The Saturday afternoon schedule kicks off with That Asian Thing, a documentary about Asian American filmmakers and artists. A panel discussion with filmmakers included in this year's festival, along with local Asian American artists, will follow. The Saturday evening schedule will feature Float, a new production by Filipino American filmmaker and actor, Johnny Asuncion, and Brown Soup Thing, a story of cultural reawakening by Edward J. Mallillin.
Sunday afternoon features the shorts program, preceded by a 1954 classic of Philippine cinema, Jack en Jill, which launched the career of Dolphy, the Philippine's king of comedy.
The festival closes Sunday evening with Neo-Lounge, a fast-paced documentary about the ex-pat community in Beijing and the eponymous nightclub that has become one of their favorite hangouts.
All films will be shown at the Portage Theatre, which recently completed a multi-million-dollar renovation. Located at 4050 N. Milwaukee Avenue, the theater is just steps north of Irving Park Road. It seats more than 1,300 people and is the home of the Silent Film Society of Chicago.
About CFAFF
The primary mission of the festival is to highlight and celebrate the works of emerging Filipino-American filmmakers, as well as cutting-edge cinema from the Philippines. CFAFF is presented by the Filipino American Network (FAN) of Chicago, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
Previous years have included acclaimed features, such as Cavite, Imelda, Panaghoy Sa Suba (Call of the River), Slow Jam King, Blue Hour, Crying Ladies, Magnifico and Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Olivares.
About the Filipino American Network (FAN)
The Filipino American Network (FAN) is a not-for-profit organization that calls, challenges and supports Filipino American young adults by providing resources, connections and opportunities to enrich their lives, support their growth and deepen their self-awareness of their Filipino heritage. In addition to the film festival, FAN also hosts the Beyond The Barrelman Exhibition of Filipino Art, a Holiday gift basket drive for seniors and other events serving Chicago's Filipino American community.
---
Press release service and press release distribution provided by http://www.24-7pressrelease.com# # #
- american, asian, chicago, cinema, festival, filipina, filipino, film, philippines, pinay, pinoy
