Pinoy film director a judge at Swiss filmfest

A Filipino film director will serve as a judge in an upcoming film festival in Switzerland next month, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

The DFA cited a report from the Philippine Embassy in Bern that director Brillante Mendoza will be a member of the jury at the 62nd Film Festival in Locarno.

"Locarno, the summer capital of Switzerland, will serve as host to the 62nd Film Festival Locarno from Aug. 5 to 15 and provide a distinctive venue for a major international film competition," the DFA said in an article on its website (www.dfa.gov.ph).

Philippine Ambassador to Switzerland Maria Theresa Lazaro said the choice of Mendoza as a member of the jury in one of Locarno’s Film Festival category is a recognition of the Filipino’s artistry, creativity, and technical mastery

Some 180,000 cinema-goers, 1,100 journalists and 3,400 professionals converge in Locarno, considered the world capital of international cinema for 11 days.

Mendoza was the grand winner in the Best Director category in the recently concluded 2009 Cannes International Film Festival.

He will serve as member of the jury for the Filmmakers of the Present Competition for the 62nd Film Festival Locarno.

"Mendoza was discovered in Locarno in 2005 with his film 'Masahista,' which won the Golden Leopard in the Video Competition," the DFA said.

The Locarno Festival has made an asset of its unique backdrop as it is geographically located at the crossroads of three major regions of Switzerland, capturing audiences which represent three major European cultures - Italian, German and French.

Its long-standing tradition of openness and dialogue has made it an ideal platform for the promotion of national cinemas from Europe and the world over, from South America to Asia, the DFA said.

"Locarno knows no borders, whether geographic, thematic or stylistic, and via its dozen different sections welcomes all kinds of films, and all kinds of formats," it added.

- GMANews.TV