Fantasporto

Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Celia Anna M. Feria hosted a cocktail reception for the participating Philippine delegation to the 39th Porto International Film Festival also known as Fantasporto 2019, at Teatro Rivoli in Porto on 26 February.

Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Celia Anna M. Feria hosted a cocktail reception for the participating Philippine delegation to the 39th Porto International Film Festival also known as Fantasporto 2019, at Teatro Rivoli in Porto on 26 February.

This year’s Fantasporto featured 3 Philippine films competing in the film festival. The films are “Kuya Wes”, “School Service” and “Waiting for Sunset.” Representatives from the three films include Director James Robin Mayo and actor Ogie Alcasid from the film "Kuya Wes", Director Louie Ignacio Lagdameo, actor Dennis Evangelista and Ferdinand Lapuz, producer/distributor from “School Service” and the five members of the “Waiting for Sunset” team, namely, Director Carlo Catu, producers Roderick Cabrido and Omar Surtijas, producer/distributor Lexter Tarriela and lead actor Menggie Cobarrubias.

The featured films were well received by the Portuguese audience as they not only shared an insight of Philippine culture and the character of the Filipino people, but showed as well the ingenuity and creativity of the Filipino filmmakers.

Commenting on the Philippine participation in Fantasporto, Ambassador Feria expressed her appreciation to the organizers of Fantasporto for being a gateway for Philippine cinema to be part of the global film culture. Ambassador Feria also noted that the Filipino film entries are an effective medium to educate, enhance people to people relationships, as well as break stereotypes regarding Filipino culture and the Filipino people.

Jury members and organizers of the Film festival were also present at the cocktail reception where they gave a high regard for Philippine film entries to FANTASPORTO every year for its originality, creativity and independence.

Fantasporto is an annual international film festival organized since 1981 in Porto, Portugal It is considered one of the top film festivals in the global festival circuit. It features films from all over the world with diverse genres ranging from science fiction to documentaries. The Festival began on 22 February and will run until 02 March.