FilAm films at the 26th San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival

The San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival (March 13 – 23, 2008), presented by the Center for Asian American Media, had an estimated attendance of 30,000, including over 225 filmmakers, actors and industry guests. It featured 113 including eight world premieres, three North American premieres and four U.S. premieres.


Santa Mesa, the feature debut of New York based filmmaker Ron Morales won the Special Jury Award in a tie with John Kwon's Always Be Boyz. This is the coming-of-age tale of a young Filipino American who must return “home” after the death of a loved one.

Other Fil-Am entries include...


Foster Child (John John), 98 mins. In English, Tagalog with English subtitles. Directed by Brillante Mendoza. Foster Child shows how stability can thrive amid the littered dirt alleys and ramshackle buildings of Manila’s slums. But stability does not preclude heartbreak. The film, which lingers on the rituals of a foster mother and son during their final day together, is buoyed by Cherry Pie Picache’s gorgeous performance.


Giving Care. Directed by Clarissa De Los Reyes. 11 mins. In English, Tagalog with English subtitles.
While taking care of an elderly man, a young Filipina receives devastating news from home. Torn between her life in the U.S. and family in the Philippines, she realizes how difficult it is to leave her economic and social circumstances.



Glory Boy Days. 100 mins. Directed and written by: Paul Justin Encinas.
Outfitted with a cast of characters as fresh as their wardrobe, Glory Boy Days follows a day in the life of a misfit crew through three interconnected stories.


God Only Knows. 17 mins. In Tagalog with English subtitles
Directed By: Mark V. Reyes.
Living in the squalor of a vast Manila shantytown, Maria has only one blessing: her son. As she walks him out of the slum and on a journey that may secure his future, she must consider the sacrifice she must bear. Only God knows how high the cost truly is.



Nagpapanggap. 20 mins. In Tagalog with English subtitles.
Directed By: Debbie Formoso.
Among a coterie of affluent women in the Philippines during the halcyon ‘60s, Lourdes believes she has one possession superior to all of her friends’ baubles: an honest husband. But when the fog of denial begins to lift, she must appraise the true value of her marriage, and decide whether to write it off or see what divi­dends it may yet pay.


Slingshot. 86 mins. In Tagalog with English subtitles
Directed By: Brillante Mendoza.
Shot on hand-held video camera, Slingshot follows characters in a Manila slum as they lie, cheat and steal- capturing their desperation with a documentary-like intensity.

Music Videos:
1) Embarcadeo Blues—Goh Nakamura. 3mins Video. Directed by Dino Ignacio.


2) Keep Up - P.I.C.. Steven mallorca, director.