TOFARM Film Festival 2018 3rd Edition includes Short Film Competition

In the press conference held last March 14, 2018, at the Shangri-la Hotel Makati, the organizers revealed that the third edition of the TOFARM Film Festival (TFF) shall now include a TOFARM Short Film Competition.

The brainchild of Socio-Entrepreneur Dr. Mila O. How, TFF is the only advocacy-driven film festival in the country today, with entries showcasing the lives, journeys, trials and triumphs of the Filipino farmer.

"We were deeply saddened with the demise of Direk Maryo J. delos Reyes, our first TFF Director," Dr. How said. "He gave so much of himself for TFF. When he suddenly left us, we found ourselves at a crossroad. Should we go on with the project or not?”

"But after a lot of thinking, I personally thought it’s best to carry on what Direk Maryo started. The festival would be a continuation of his vision for the farmers and for our film industry. This is our tribute to him," Dr. How added.

In the absence of Direk Maryo, Dr. How sought the expertise of three seasoned film personalities who will stand as Festival Advisers, Bibeth Orteza and Joey Romero, with Laurice Guillen as Consultant. The Festival Director, however, is yet to be appointed.

"It's very overwhelming to get support from not one, but three well-respected people from the film and television industry. It motivates us further to come up with more meaningful films that, hopefully, will follow the success of our previous entries," Dr. How enthused.

Just in the first two years of its existence, from 2016 to 2017, a number of TOFARM Film Festival entries have already gained international recognition following local exhibition.

The weeklong TOFARM Film Festival 2018 will run from September 12 to 18, with the Awards Night slated on September 15. The festival committee is now accepting script entries for screening. Deadline of Submission is on April 20, 2018. For more information on how to submit original manuscripts, log on to www.tofarm.org. 

The TFF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

1. DR. MILA HOW = TFF EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

2. DIREK BIBETH ORTEZA = TFF FESTIVAL DIRECTOR

3. DIREK JOEY ROMERO = TFF MANAGING DIRECTOR

4. SONNY GUINGAB = TFF/CSR PROJECT OFFICER


TFF Films Awards List


“Pauwi Na” 

• Golden Goblet Award – 20th Shanghai International Film Festival

• Presidential Jury Award – 15th Gawad Tanglaw (2016)

• Nominated in Asean International Film Festival and Awards 2017

• Best Supporting Actor - Bembol Roco

• Best Supporting Actress-Cherry Pie Picache

• Official Entry to CineLokal August 23-29, 2017

• Official Entry for the Nationwide PISTA NG PELIKULANG PILIPINO, August 16-22, 2017

• Nominated in 40th Gawad Urian Awards 2017

- Best Director : Paolo Villaluna (Pauwi Na)

- Best Actor : Bembol Roco (Pauwi Na)

- Best Actress : Cherry Pie Picache (Pauwi Na)

- Best Supporting Actress : Meryll Soriano (Pauwi Na)

- Best Screenplay : Paolo Villaluna and Ellen Ramos (Pauwi Na)

- Best Editing : Paolo Villaluna and Ellen Ramos (Pauwi Na)

- Best Music : Paolo Villaluna and Pike Ramirez (Pauwi Na)

• Ani ng Dangal Awardee 2018 by the NCCA



“Pitong Kabang Palay” 

• Best Children’s Film - 15th Dhaka International Film Festival, Bangladesh

• Golden Owl Award - 22nd Aichi International Women’s Film Festival, Nagoya, Japan.

•Agape Choice Corner - 14th Seoul International Agape Film Festival, South Korea

• Big Wings Corner - 12th Busan International Kids and Youth Film Festival, South Korea

• Official Selection - 13th China International Children’s Film Festival, China

• PMPC Star Awards Nomination for Best Indie Movie Theme Song of the Year ‘Apat Na Buwan’ for Maricel Cariaga

• PMPC Star Awards Nomination for Best Child Actor - Alfonso Ynigo Delen

• Indie Bravo Awardee 2017 by the Philippine Daily Inquirer

• FDCP Film Ambassador 2018

• Ani ng Dangal Awardee 2018 by the NCCA



“PAGLIPAY” 

• Best Director Award - Cultural Diversity Film Festival, Canada

• World Film Awards - Indonesia - Platinum World Award / Best Film

• International Film Festival For Environment, Health and Culture - Bali Indonesia

• Best Film / International Awards of Outstanding Excellence

• Official Selection : Asean International Film Festival and Awards

• Official Entry to CineLokal August 23-29, 2017

• Official Entry for the Nationwide PISTA NG PELIKULANG PILIPINO, August 16-22, 2017

• Best Director in 4th Urduja Film Festival Heritage Film Awards

• Best Heritage Film in 4th Urduja Film Festival.

• Official Selection, Cinematografo Film Festival 2017

• Official Selection, Arica Nativa Film Festival 2017

+11 Nominations in Gawad Urian, including Best Film

+5 Nominations in The London International Film Festival: Best Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Screenplay

• Ani ng Dangal Awardee 2018 by the NCCA


“HIGH TIDE”

• 2018 PMPC Star Awards Nomination - Movie Child Performer of the Year Christine Mary Demaisip (High Tide)

• Producers Award for Natatanging Pangkalikasan Award for the film High Tide; Guild of Educators, Mentors, and Students (GEMS)


“Instalado”

• Winner - Best New Actor McCoy De Leon for PMPC Star Awards 2018