Pelikula at Lipunan 2005 entertain and educate students

By Ronelo S. Ladiao

PELIKULA at LIPUNAN (Cinema and Society), the annual film festival organized by Mowelfund Film Institute through the National Commission for Culture and the Arts Cinema Values Reorientation Program opens in Iloilo City last February 15, 2005. The film showing was staged in various public and private schools in the city to entertain and educate young people of the importance of films in changing our society. This year, the films that were screened focused on “child-friendly” concept since it featured animated works from Europe- particularly Britain , Holland and France -as well as from the Philippines . The film festival showcased various types of animation- from simple abstract drawings, claymation and computer-generated 3D renderings. The films offered techniques and social/environmental values to the viewers. “ Magnifico ”, Maryo J. de los Reyes' internationally acclaimed film was featured in full length that tell a tale of a good-hearted and large spirit boy how he transformed the lives of other people in the most significant way of his noble acts.

Ricky Orellano , Mowelfund's resident animator was present during the screenings and gave short lectures on animation in his effort to inspire children to be more imaginative and creative. This significant project was a second part of Sineilonggo Film Society this year. The first, held just right after Dinagyang was called “ Filmstruction ”- a film orientation for teachers. Their next project is a series of local productions as well as a Digital Filmaking workshop this summer.