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films

CFAFF is pleased to resent arguably the bestlineup thefestival has ever produced. In addition to recent productions byup-and-coming Filipino American filmmakers and our new music videoawards, we're also presenting a classic from Philippine cinema --Dolphy's 1954 break-out film, Jack and Jill.

Please help us spread the word and purchase yourticket today. And remember that students andseniors can receive free day passes.

Filmmakers: Our program committee is working hard to get in touch with all filmmakers who submitted for our 2008 festival. If you have questions about the status of your film, please contact [email protected].

Friday

6:30

Opening Reception

Join us in celebrating our 5th anniversary film festwith our free opening reception, then join us for our opening nightfeature -- followed by live performances by two of Chicago's hottest Filipino bands.

8:00

SantaMesa

We celebrate the opening of the fifth annual event with SANTA MESA by Filipino American director Ron Morales. When Hector, an orphaned Filipino American boy is sent to live with the grandmother he's never met, he is faced with the alienation of being an outsider among people of his own culture, and all the dangers faced by any child alone on the streets of any city. Hector finds a mentor in Jose, an expatriate photographer who reluctantly shows Hector how to uncover the beauty in the everyday world around him, even the trackside neighborhood of Santa Mesa. Morales's years of technical experience on several major Hollywood features is evident in the confidence of this production, but SANTA MESA also reveals a thoughtful, photographer's eye. As Hector reconciles himself with his new home, SANTA MESA suggests that the boy's discovery of the Philippines parallels the filmmaker's own journey, resulting in a work of great warmth and resonance.

10:30

Music Video Awards

The Chicago Filipino American Film Festival celebrates its fifth anniversary with the CFAFF Music Video Award. Finalist videos will be screened, with live performance by Bagwis and Paolo Escobar &the Prescriptions.

FINALISTS:

"You Will Remember" by Yasmine Gomez. Music by LUMAYA
"Henry Poole is Here" by Mark Pellington. Music by RON IRIZIARRY
"The Addict" by Jonald Reyes. Music by CONTRIBAND
"Slow Machines" by Bernard Badion. Music by THE GOLD MEDALISTS
"Lunod (Drown)" by Sigfried Sanchez. Music by DANITA PANER
"Anghel" by Sigfried Sanchez. Music by STONEFREE

Saturday

1:00

ThatAsian Thing

Local filmmaker Jonald Reyes brings an inside look at opportunities and challenges faced by Chicago-based Filipino and Asian American in entertainment, arts, and media, with interviews, personal footage, and live performances. Reyes's interview subjects are a who's who of local actors, musicians, visual artists, and scholars. While the obstacles set in front of Asian American artists are deeply ingrained, THAT ASIAN THING reveals the ongoing struggle to gain recognition and create uniquely Asian American forms of expression.That Asian Thing will be followed by a Panel discussion to include filmmaker Jonald Reyes and special guests from the CFAFF 2008 program.

2:30

Panel Discussion

A follow-up interview with filmmaker Jonald Reyes andother CFAFF 2008 filmmakers, as well as performers in Chicago's Asian American media, discussing subjects featuredin the documentary.

3:30

Santa Mesa (Repeat)

The critically acclaimed feature by Ron Morales tellsthe story of a Filipino American orphan who must return to acountry and grandmother he has never known. 12-year-old Hector mustlearn a new language, culture and environment -- while learning moreabout himself.

6:00

Float

Johnny Asuncion wrote, directed, and acted in this ensemble comedy-drama about the unexpected friendship that forms between three men from very diverse backgrounds. Ray, the workaholic owner of the Float ice cream parlor struggles to reevaluate his life in the wake of his failed marriage, while Gervog, a young bookie and black market businessman, seeks to earn a legitimate living to gain the respect of his disapproving father. Ramon is an out of work misfit conflicted between financial security and the real girl of his dreams. FLOAT stars a number of accomplished performers, including Gregory Itzin, who was nominated for an Emmy for his role as President Charles Logan on 24, and Christine Rose of HEROES.

8:30

BrownSoup Thing

An irreverent comedy by first-time director, Edward Mallillin, Brown Soup Thing follows the story of a young girl working on an elementary school video project about "What it means to be Filipino." Lita's extended family includes a who's who of notable Filipinos including boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, YouTube star Chirstine Gambito, and actors Abe Pagtama, Bernardo Bernardo, and many others all make cameos as Lita's interview subjects in her "movie within a movie." But the real action unfolds behind the scenes in the grownup world, where Lita's adult siblings pursue their own individuality, while struggling with issues of cultural identity and family. Starring Kimee J. Balmilero (Hi-5), Jenilee A. Reyes (Deal or No Deal), Cheryl Noe (The Bold & The Beautiful), comedian Joey Guila (HBO's P Diddy's Bad Boys of Comedy), and Rona Par (The Flip Side).

Sunday

1:00

Jackand Jill

In 1954, Dolphy, the Philippine's "King of Comedy" brokeout withwhat is now a recognized classic of Philippine cinema. Dolphy is onehalf of an unusual brother/sister duo trying to find love in this blackand white feature.

4:00

Short Film Program

This year's Shorts Program spotlights films that showcase the work of Chicago-based Fil-Am filmmakers and performers, as well as short works from filmmakers from around the U.S. and the Philippines.

"Konstruksiyon" by Claro De Los Reyes and Brian Chamberlain

"Nagpapanggap" by Debbie Formoso

"Legend" by Mark Villegas

"Kuna Ni Nanang" by Jessica Sison

"Under the American Sun" by Bernadette Provido Schuman

"San Miguel Family Reunion" by Theophilus Jamal

"The Fort" by Sherry Diaz

"Tamarind" by Rio Puertollano

"Reunion" by Rey Villar

7:00

Neo-Lounge

NEO-LOUNGE Winner of the 2007 Cinemanila Award for Best Documentary, Joanna Vasquez Arong directs NEO-LOUNGE-- a deeply observant film, as sharp and insightful as any we've seen since IMELDA (Ramona S. Diaz, CFAFF 2004). In 2003, the shadow of the SARS epidemic looms over Asia , but a handful of expatriates continues to gather and revel a nightclub called Neo-Lounge. While the camera follows Leonardo, a roguish, jovial Italian businessman; Diliana, a Bulgarian singer and model; and Henry, the free-spirited proprietor of Neo-Lounge, the director herself rarely makes her presence known. The result is far more personal than what we see in popular reality-based media. A fascinating study of a group lost souls and outsiders, and the brief sanctuary they find in the most unlikeliest of places, NEO-LOUNGE represents an impressive new voice in documentary filmmaking.

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contact

General:[email protected]

Volunteer:[email protected]

Program:[email protected]

mailing address

CFAFF

c/o The Filipino American Network

516 N. Ogden #151

Chicago, IL 60622