BAKUNAWA FEST X
BAKUNAWA FEST X ANNOUNCES OPENING FILMS
Bakunawa Fest X opens with the full-legth film 'Rock-a-bye Baby' (Black & White Version) by acclaimed Vietnamese filmmaker Lê Bình Giang who will be in attendance to present the film. The black and white version of the film makes its World Premiere at Bakunawa Fest X on November 8, 2023 (5PM, WED) at UPFI Film Center's Cine Adarna! Described by Asian Movie Pulse as "gritty slasher with elements of avant-garde", Rock-a-bye Baby's colored version had its world premiere at Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN). This is the second time Giang's films have been featured in Bakunawa Fest.
True to its tradition and commitment to highlight short films, Bakunawa Fest X opens with three shorts: 'The Old Young Crow' by Liam LoPinto (Japan / USA), 'The 25th Filial Exemplar' by Leon Cheo (Singapore) and 'You Will See' by Kathleen Bu (Singapore) - all making their Philippine Premieres. Liam LoPinto's 'The Old Young Crow' has already won numerous awards including Best Film at the Palm Springs International Film Festival and at the Los Angeles Asia Pacific Film Festival. The 25th Filial Exemplar which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival is directed by Leon Cheo whose film 'Two is Enough' was selected in last year's Bakunawa Fest. 'You WIll See' by young filmmaker Kathleen Bu also premiered at BIFAN and makes a record as the first international female filmmaker whose film is selected to open Bakunawa Fest. All directors of the Opening Films are awarded Certificates of Distinction.
ROCK-A-BYE BABY (BLACK & WHITE)
Director: Lê Bình Giang
Horror I 96 min I Vietnam
OPENING FILM I WORLD PREMIERE I DCP
Shocking truths awaits a Vlogger who is committed to unmask the killer of his parents as he tries to reconstruct gruesome murder cases in Vietnam. By doing so, he discovered similarities between his parents' case and the other three murder cases. An odd clue related to a fetus holds the key to knowing more details about the cases. Join us for the Opening Film screenings on Nov 8, 2023 (5PM) to uncover more!
NOV 8, 2023 (WED) 5 PM
UPFI Film Center's Cine Adarna
Trigger Warning: Mature Themes & Sensitive Images
LÊ BÌNH GIANG
Giang is one of Vietnam's acclaimed and controversial filmmakers, making waves for his directorial debut bloody horror film 'KFC' in 2017 selected for Rotterdam Film Festival and a whole string of film festivals around the world.
He graduated from the Tokyo Talent Campus in 2016 and is considered as one of Asia's rising filmmakers. His short 'No Dogs Allowed' was one of the Closing Films of Bakunawa Fest 7. His other full-length film 'Jackpot Island' (Director's Cut) is also screening at this year's Bakunawa Fest X.
THE OLD YOUNG CROW
Director: Liam LoPinto
Drama, Mystery, Animation I 12 min I Japan, USA
OPENING SHORT I PHILIPPINE PREMIERE I DCP
An Iranian boy befriends an old Japanese woman at a graveyard in Tokyo. The mix of live-action and animation in this meaningful short that will surely create treasured memories for the curious viewer.
NOV 8, 2023 (WED) 5 PM
UPFI Film Center's Cine Adarna
LIAM LOPINTO
Liam LoPinto is a filmmaker and animator based out of New York City. He graduated from NYU Tisch School of the Arts' UGFTV program; studied at Waseda University in Tokyo; and attended CalArts' Character Animation program from 2017-2021.
His other shorts are 'After Umami' (2018), 'Baba' (2018) and 'French Fly' (2019). He is currently an assistant manager at The Moviehouse in Millerton, NY.
YOU WILL SEE
Director: Kathleen Bu
Horror I 15 min I Singapore
OPENING SHORT I PHILIPPINE PREMIERE I DCP
A young photographer, desperately looking for the perfect moment, falls prey to a supernatural camera.
NOV 8, 2023 (WED) 5 PM
UPFI Film Center's Cine Adarna
KATHLEEN BU
Kathleen Bu is a young Singaporean filmmaker who is drawn to themes of human emotion and fantastical concepts. Since graduating from Film, Sound & Video Ngee Ann Polytechnic in 2019, Kathleen has made several short films - most notably, Lady E’s Wedding Revenge Plan (2019) - awarded Best Live Action, Director & Editing at Singapore’s National Youth Film Awards 2020. She went on to take internships under film director Li Lin Wee and Zhao Wei Films; while freelancing in the industry in production, scriptwriting and assistant directing. Her first horror short "You Will See", is mentored by award-winning Malaysian filmmaker Bradley Liew. It premiered at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival 2022.
第二十五孝 I THE 25TH FILIAL EXEMPLAR
Director: Leon Cheo
Drama I 14 min, 47 sec I Singapore
OPENING SHORT I PHILIPPINE PREMIERE I DCP
Forced by his mother to dress and perform as his deceased sister, a young Chinese man grapples with how to express his true self, help his mother deal with grief, and prove that he’s the most filial son.
NOV 8, 2023 (WED) 5 PM
UPFI Film Center's Cine Adarna
LEON CHEO
Based in Los Angeles, Leon is the creator, writer and director of the Emmy-nominated short form series “People Like Us”. Other highlights include: “SIN-SFO” which competed at the Oscar-qualifying 25th Austin Film Festival, and won Best Live Action and Best Director at the 2019 National Youth Film Awards in Singapore; “The Three Sisters” which won ‘Best Short Film’ at the 2012 NETPAC-Jogja Asian Film Festival; “Move Out Notice” which broadcast on the Lifetime (Asia) channel and nominated for Best Script at the Singapore Short Film Awards.