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Soho International Film Festival features Pinoy films 'Asian Persuasion,' 'Blue Room'
Get ready to be excited when the Soho International Film Festival opens on September 14 and runs until September 21 with two Filipino films – "Asian Persuasion" and "Blue Room" – and two films directed by Filipino-Americans – "Man of the Sea" and "Velvet Sky" in the lineup this year.
Founded by Jorge Ballos in 2009, this year's festival is presented by the Soho Film Forum.
Ballos, a Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) member, is the President and Founder of the festival. He has also made his mark in the world of acting. He has appeared in movies like "People I Know" and "Heights," as well as television shows such as "Law and Order."
In addition to his contributions as an actor and film festival founder, he is also the owner and president of AL Models and Talent Management, where he continues to nurture emerging talents, providing them with opportunities to thrive in the industry.
Helping Ballos is the talented and indefatigable daughter of award-winning actress Lorli Villanueva, producer-filmmaker-actor Sibyl Reymundo-Santiago, a member of SAG-AFTRA, British Academy of Film & Television Arts (BAFTA), Actor's Equity (AEA), the Producers Guild of America (PGA), and New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT), as the Executive Director and Head of Programming of the festival.
Currently, Santiago is also engaged in a documentary project that has garnered the prestigious PGA mark and simultaneously, she's at the helm of developing her own series. Beyond her creative pursuits, she continues to lend her expertise as the Executive Director and Head of Programming of the Soho Film Forum (SFF) which presents the Soho International Film Festival (SIFFNYC) in New York City, marking her 13th year in these pivotal roles.
"Asian Persuasion," Jhett Tolentino's feature directorial debut, stars Dante Basco, KC Concepcion, Paolo Montalban and Kevin Kreider. It will have its world premiere at the festival. It is about an underachiever who comes up with an outlandish plan to avoid alimony obligations to his fashion executive ex-wife.
"Blue Room," directed by Ma-an L. Asuncion-Dagñalan, focuses on the inequalities of Filipino society and government. The movie is about a group of indie rock band members who find themselves in a situation where they end up in jail. But instead of being placed in the regular prison cell, they end up in the Blue Room, a VIP section of the precinct, and the police officers try to blackmail them for a bribe in order to let them go. It stars Juan Karlos Labajo, Harvey Bautista, Elijah Canlas and Nour Hooshmand.
"Man of the Sea" is a documentary film directed by Fil-Am Kenneth "Ken" Anderson, the younger brother of Philippine actor Gerald Anderson. It is about the epic journey of a 62-year-old indigenous man, as he unveils the captivating story of his lifelong bond with the ocean. It stars Ahiga Abuhag.
"Velvet Sky" is a short film directed by Fil-Am Charles Jon Gray, the grand nephew of legendary comedian Dolphy. The short film, which is having its East Coast premiere, stars Reuben Uy, Jasper Capalad, Kelsey Tuma and Darren Lee Campbell. It is about a young naïve Fil-Am filmmaker, Miguel, who is on the verge of making his first feature film and agrees to be mentored by an older Filipino director he idolizes, Victor Soriano. However, Miguel realizes too late that his mentor is only out to sabotage him for his own personal gain and ego.
SIFFNYC continues to celebrate cutting-edge digital technology while honoring traditional forms of storytelling by encouraging new and seasoned filmmakers from New York City and around the world to create and send in their fresh and innovative cinematic pieces.
With over 110 films lined up, including a record-breaking number of premieres, this year's festival promises to be an extraordinary cinematic experience.
The festival's opening night feature film is "The Nana Project," directed by Robin Givens, with an ensemble cast led by Mercedes Ruehl, Nolan Gould, Will Peltz, Tony Todd and Morgan Fairchild. A mockumentary set primarily at a retirement home, the film follows a documentary crew who develop an interest in a "star" resident, a feisty chess master, Helen "Nana" Lewis, played by Ruehl.
Highlights of the festival's US Features category include the Northeast premiere of the film, "Little Brother," a gripping drama about two estranged brothers and the journey they embark on, starring J.K. Simmons, Polly Draper, Natsuko Ohama, Phillip Ettinger and Daniel Diemer.
Special programs on the lineup include a screening of films and panel presented by the New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT) and the world premiere of short films featuring Juilliard Drama Division actors from the classes of 2022 and 2023, produced as part of Juilliard's new initiative to provide students with practical experience working on camera.
Film enthusiasts and industry professionals will gather at the renowned Village East by Angelika, located at 12th Street and 2nd Avenue in the heart of New York City. This iconic venue will serve as the backdrop for the festival's showcase of creativity, innovation and cultural diversity.
Past attendees of the festival include Octavia Spencer, Pierce Brosnan, Bobby Cannavale, Armand Assante, Luis Guzman, Sean Young, Kevin Jonas, Adam Brody, Carrie Preston, Josh Lawson, Michael Imperioli and Richard Kind.
We were able to interview Ballos and Santiago by email.
What inspired you, Jorge, to start the Soho International Film Festival?
Jorge Ballos (JB): The inspiration behind starting the Soho International Film Festival stemmed from my deep passion for independent cinema and the arts. I wanted to create a platform where filmmakers from all around the world could showcase their unique stories and perspectives. Additionally, I aimed to foster a sense of community within the film industry, provide a space for networking and collaboration, and contribute to the cultural vibrancy of the Soho neighborhood. Through the festival, I hoped to celebrate creativity, diversity, and the power of storytelling in bringing people together.
What made you, Sibyl, join the Soho International Film Festival?
Sibyl Reymundo-Santiago (SRS): Jorge Ballos, the founder, approached me at the end of the first year of the festival to help expand it. I had just wrapped a play I was doing and had started producing more independent films around that time so the idea of it really intrigued me. It was really good timing and a great fit for what I wanted to do, which is to find ways to get more filming here in New York City, my home, and what better way to encourage this than to get involved.
What challenges did you encounter and how did you overcome them?
JB: Starting a film festival often comes with challenges like securing funding, attracting submissions, venue logistics, and marketing. Overcoming these challenges might involve building partnerships, using social media for promotion, seeking sponsorships, and creatively solving logistical issues.
SRS: Being that the festival is still grassroots in its movement, budget and finding sponsors have always been the challenge as executive director. We are working diligently to get some grants, now that we are being presented by the Soho Film Forum Inc., which is a 501(c)(3) organization, but as you can imagine, with the current landscape and the challenges of the last three years in the industry, it has been a lot of wait and see. In the meantime, our team is so determined to continue what we feel is a service to our filmmaking community, one that we belong to and truly love. Closing doors was never an option... so we kept going.
As a programmer, the toughest part is not being able to accept all the great films that we come across because we can only get a certain number of films each year, and as a filmmaker myself, it breaks my heart just as much when I have to send the rejection letters. I am so proud, really amazed and inspired by the independent filmmaking community. We really see so much great content.
What were the highlights for you all these years?
JB: Some common highlights for film festival organizers include discovering outstanding films, fostering a sense of community among filmmakers, receiving positive feedback from attendees, hosting successful networking events, and witnessing the growth and recognition of the festival over the years.
SRS: We have had many, and we are pretty blessed. The support of the filmmaking community has been so wonderful, which really drives us to keep going. We've had many events attended by big names like Octavia Spencer and Pierce Brosnan for example and I am blown away by the trust they've given our festival to present their work. Every year we have these big names that come, which shows the love and support of these artists to independent cinema. Nowadays, more than ever, we need to all band together in support, as the strike happening is just a reminder of how important it is not to allow only big cinemas to succeed. It's all about checks and balances so if we can show that good work, talent and good stories can be made and come out of the independent space, with audience support, it gives us some leverage.
How do you see the festival in five years?
JB: Envisioning the festival's future can be exciting! In five years, I might see the Soho International Film Festival as a well-established and respected event in the industry. It could attract a diverse array of filmmakers from around the world, showcasing a wide range of compelling and thought-provoking films. The festival might have expanded its reach, drew larger audiences and gained increased media coverage. Industry professionals might view it as a must-attend event for networking and discovering emerging talent. Additionally, I could envision the festival contributing to film education, hosting workshops, and potentially collaborating with other major festivals.
SRS: I see this festival as becoming one of New York City's most iconic filmmaking events. Next year, as we celebrate 15 years, we will look to getting to that 20th year with so much pride. I want to be able to say, we've done our job!
—MGP, GMA Integrated News
