In celebration of Pride Month this June, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) will hold the 2nd “PelikuLAYA: LGBTQIA+ Film Festival” online from June 4 to 30.
With the theme “Sama-Sama, Lahat Rarampa!,” this year’s PelikuLAYA aims to further empower the members of the LGBTQIA+ community through a lineup of local and international films, film talks and lectures, a drag yoga event, and musical performances.
Beginning June 4, a total of 23 subscription films can be viewed for only PHP 99 on the FDCP Channel (fdcpchannel.ph), including the seven PelikuLAYA titles that are available until June 30: “Masahista” by Brillante Mendoza, “I Love You. Thank You” by Charliebebs Gohetia, “Mga Gabing Kasing Haba ng Hair Ko” by Gerardo Calagui, “Miss Bulalacao” by Ara Chawdhury, “Ang Huling Cha-Cha Ni Anita” by Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo, “Best. Partee.
Ever.” by HF Yambao, and “Ned’s Project” by Lem Lorca.
Available for rental starting June 4 is award-winning French film “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” by Céline Sciamma starring Adí¨le Haenel and Noémie Merlant, which will have its Philippine Online Premiere at PelikuLAYA 2021. The 2019 Cannes Awardee for the Queer Palm Prize and Best Screenplay will be available for rental for P220 with a 7-day access that will expire 48 hours after the first play.
“PelikuLAYA” will screen four films for free throughout the festival: Rhadem Morados’ documentary “Budjang” and three shorts from CineSpectra 2019: A Film Festival for HIV/AIDS Awareness – “A” by Rod Modina, “Alex & Aki” by Dexter Paul de Jesus, and “Doon sa Isang Sulok” by Yong Tapang, Jr. In addition, one-time free screenings will be held: “Lihis” by Joel Lamangan for the opening program and “T-Bird at Ako” by Danny Zialcita for the closing program.
“The Film Development Council of the Philippines is relaunching ‘PelikuLAYA’ this year as an annual LGBTQIA+ film festival organized by the national government as our way to express our continued support for gender equality and inclusivity by creating platforms to bring to light the struggles, celebrate the achievements, and champion the causes of the LGBTQIA+ community,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño.
The PelikuLAYA Opening Program “Thank God, It’s Pride Day!” starts at 7 p.m. on June 4 featuring the Sineng Pambansa National Film Festival 2013 entry “Lihis,” a love story during the Marcos regime involving two NPA comrades played by Jake Cuenca and Joem Bascon.
“Lihis” also stars Lovi Poe, Isabelle Daza, and Gloria Diaz.
“Thank God, It’s Pride Day!” as well as all other PelikuLAYA events will be streamed live on the FDCP Channel and on the FDCP’s Facebook pages and YouTube channel. From June 12 to 27, four FDCP Film Talks on PelikuLAYA will be held.
The PelikuLAYA Official Closing Program “Awra!: Mga Awit at Rampa para sa Ating Makulay na Komunidad” on June 30 at 7 p.m. will feature a musical performance, a fashion show from members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and a free one-time screening of the restored version of “T-Bird at Ako” starring Superstar Nora Aunor and Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos, presented by the ABS-CBN Film Restoration Program.
The festival is presented by the Film Development Council of the Philippines exclusively on the FDCP Channel in partnership with ABS-CBN Film Restoration – Sagip Pelikula, Love Yourself PH, Philippine LGBT Chamber of Commerce, HerShe, Village Pipol, Pelikula Mania, Parcinq Magazine, ClickTheCity, LakanBini Advocates Pilipinas, PUP Kasarianlan, PUP DZMC Young Communicators’ Guild, CIIT 24 Frames, MAPUA Kino Indio, and FEU Film Society.
