For years, New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) has brought pieces of Philippine cinema to the West, opening the minds and captivating the senses of the Western audience with our own cinematic vision.
This year, Anne Curtis’s action thriller BuyBust, a co-production between Reality Entertainment and Viva Films, is set to make its world premiere in NYAFF, which ends its 2018 run tomorrow (July 15 in the US).
The Erik Matti movie tells the story of cop who finds herself trapped inside a dangerous slum area in Manila after a poorly planned buy-bust operation goes awry. It also stars MMA star Brandon Vera, Nonie Buencamino, and Victor Neri.
Apart from BuyBust, Anne’s Sid & Aya (Not a Love Story) directed by Irene Villamor, is also part of the incredible lineup of films that represent Philippine cinema.
A total of six Filipino films were screened competing in the 2018 edition of NYAFF. This is double the number of competing Filipino features last year.
The other films included in the line up were Neomanila directed by Mikhail Red, On the Job directed by Erik Matti, Respeto directed by Treb Monteras II, and We Will Not Die Tonight by Richard Somes.
Three films have already earned nominations, and received accolades from prominent award-giving bodies in the Philippines, as well as other countries, namely Neomanila, On the Job, and Respeto—all of which illustrate the Philippines in an engrossing manner that sees artistic integrity drawing power from realism and grit.
These films were supported by the Film Development Council of the Philippines’ International Film Festival Assistance Program (IFFAP).
“All around the world, Filipino films continue to compete and be recognized by the most prestigious of film festivals and we are proud that NYAFF is doing its part in introducing Filipino Films – genre Filipino films especially – to the North American audience. We hope that this is the first step for more of our films to be recognized and distributed in that side of the world. We wish our delegates the best of luck,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño.
Now on its 17th year, NYAFF is operated by Subway Cinema. The festival generally features contemporary premieres and classic titles from Eastern Asia and Southeast Asia. Genres featured in the film festival include horror, crime, martial arts, and action.