Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) head, Liza Diño, believes that Filipino LGBT films have earned wider exposure these days in terms of having a share of the mainstream audience.
“Yes, we’ve come a long way since before na parang niche talaga siya. Ang makakapagpalabas lang o kikita lang na LGBT films ay kapag nakapasok siya sa isang festival” Diño said during the 2nd PelikuLAYA: LGBTQIA+ Film Festival online press conference last June 1.
(It was a niche existence before. They earn only if they get into festivals.)
Diño cited the Paolo Ballesteros’ starrer “Die Beautiful” a a film that really paved the way for LGBT films to be mainstream.
“People from the non-LGBT community can appreciate because of the messaging, the way it was filmed, that way it was marketed. The festival that is was part of, [it was a big deal that it became part of the] Metro Manila Film Fest,'” she said.
With the success of “Die Beautiful” came the blockbuster hits “Born Beautiful” and “The Panti Sisters.” Diño also referred to “The Panti Sisters” as “unapologetically LGBT, showcasing a family situation that embraces, understands or probably [does] not understand” various LGBT characters.
She also talked about an instance when while in an international film festival, talking to some distributors who want to acquire Pinoy LGBT films, Diño realized one thing about why Filipino LGBT films appeal on the international market.
“You know, they always define LGBT in the Philippines as brave. ‘We’re so amazed by you films. It is so brave in terms of storytelling and the audience that it had gathered, [it is] mainstream… [In] other countries, LGBT films, [they do not become] blockbusters,” she said.
To be held from June 4 to 30 and 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.
A total of 23 subscription films can be viewed for only P99 at 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. JB
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