'Iti Mapukpukaw' and 'Gitling' to compete at the 2024 Osaka Asian Film Festival

Filipino films “Iti Mapukpukaw” and “Gitling” are among those that will be competing at the 19th Osaka Asian Film Festival, the Film Development Council of the Philippines announced.

The festival will be held on March 1 to March 10 in Osaka, Japan.

"Iti Mapukpukaw" was hailed as the Best Film at the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2023 and the NETPAC Award for full-length feature films. It was also the Philippines’ entry to the 96th Oscars.

It made history as the Cinemalaya’s first animated full-length entry, with 90 animators working on it. It was also co-produced by Project 8 and GMA Public Affairs First VP and GMA Pictures Senior Vice President Nessa Valdellon.

Directed by Carl Joseph Papa, "Iti Mapukpukaw" is a rotoscope animated film that follows Eric, a Filipino animator who does not have a mouth. His memories get untangled with the arrival of an alien.

The film stars Carlo Aquino, Dolly de Leon, and Gio Gahol. Dolly won the Best Supporting Actress Award for her role.

Meanwhile, “Gitling” was also part of Cinemalaya 2023 and won the Best Screenplay award.

It follows a young Filipina translator and a middle-aged Japanese director who created an unexpected friendship while working on a film.

—Nika Roque/JCB, GMA Integrated News