Tang KiddiCine Film Festival Debuts Country’s Youngest Directors

Manila, Philippines -The Tang KiddiCine Film Festival culminated last November 27, with the debut of five films written, shot and created by the finalists chosen for this unique opportunity. Mia and Mika Azurin, ages 10 and 9, Ronn-Jeoff Beltran, 10, Luke Acosta, 8 and Kendrick Santos, 9, were part of history-in-the-making as they became five of the country’s youngest film directors through the Tang KiddiCine program.

In a desire to showcase children’s creativity, talent and independence in a manner never-before-seen, the Tang KiddiCine search challenged kids to show us the world through their own eyes. Just months ago, Tang and Kraft Foods Philippines set out to find the extraordinary kids who can do just this through 3-5 minute short films inspired by the theme “Because I Can”. All they had to do was write and send the stories that they wanted to make come alive on the big screen.

The response to our challenge? More than a hundred entries poured in from all over the Philippines- overwhelming evidence of the passion that fuels the ambitions of kids today. And proof that armed with a little support, a bit of guidance and a whole lot of imagination,  kids can become the future faces of Philippine film at the first-ever Tang KiddiCine Film Festival.

“The Tang KiddiCine Film Festival was born out of our curiosity to see the world through the eyes of those who live with limitless possibilities,” says Cynthia Icasas, Beverage Category Manager of Kraft Foods Philippines. “Tang may be the brand that lent them this opportunity but in truth, we are the ones who borrow from their infinite imagination.”

Mika, Mia, Ronn-Jeoff, Luke and Kendrick, started on their once-in-a-lifetime journey last October by landing ‘Golden Tickets’ which allowed them to participate in workshops held by some of the country’s best independent film and commercial directors: Erin Pascual, Matthew Rosen, Ianco Dela Cruz, Christian Acuna and Richard Ang.

Through the workshops, finalists learned basic filming techniques, script-writing and gained priceless insight into film making. And with the guidance of their mentor directors, finalists were able to share their stories in a well-produced short film, each of them having a different and unique story to tell.

Mia Azurin, directed and took the lead role in her very own, “The Impossible Wish”. Her younger sister Mika Azurin, on the other hand awarded lead roles to her toys in her film entitled, “Not So Bad Villain”. Luke Acosta recounted his tale using his very own clay-model creations in his film, “My Special Gift”.  Ronn-Jeoff Beltran went back to the time of dinosaurs with his movie “Cody’s Cretaceous Dream”. Kendrick Santos promoted being everyday heroes for the environment with his film entitled, “Because I Can, I Will”.

“The five short films that were debuted are no less than awe-inspiring. On behalf of Tang and Kraft Foods Philippines and the team behind Tang KiddiCine, I extend my deepest gratitude and most heartfelt congratulations to the five finalists for an excellent job,” says Icasas.

The Tang KiddiCine Film Fest concluded with the viewing of the five films at Gateway Mall Cinema 4, last Saturday with two screening schedules –one dedicated solely to the friends and family of the finalists and some select guests. It was also there that the five were awarded unique trophies in recognition of their participation in the first-ever Tang KiddiCine Film Festival.

Followers of the Tang KiddiCine page on Facebook were also given the chance to be a part of the film fest. By commenting on the online poster on the Tang KiddiCine page, they received limited edition tickets to the special screening for free.

For more information on the screening process for Tang KiddiCine, visit www.facebook.com/tangkiddicine or search for Tang KiddiCine on Facebook for more details.

The First-ever KiddiCine Film Festival Calls for Entries

ATTENTION MOMMIES!   Tang’s search for the future faces of Philippine film starts today!

Tang calls on children aged seven to ten years old to send in their short stories that will be the basis of their film. They can draw a picture, take a photo and write up the best, most inventive and most creative ideas to capture the attention of the Screening Committee who will be judging entries based on Creativity, Originality and Adherence to the Theme.  The theme for the First-ever KiddiCine Film Festival is "Because I Can”.

Short listed entries will be notified in person and the top five finalists who will receive the Tang Golden Ticket will get to attend a three-day KiddiCine Film Workshop. There, the finalists will be taught the basics of the craft under the mentorship of some of today’s most respected Advertising Directors.

In the sessions, they will be taught a short background on film, basic filming techniques and basic script-writing by no less than five well-known directors here in our local arena. 

These directors include; Richard Ang, a film and television commercial director, who specializes in highly technical projects with edgy visual effects and computer graphics; Ianco Dela Cruz who started way back when he was a student, venturing to commercials, AVPs and forming a production company where he holds the Executive Producer position. There is also widely-respected and multi-awarded Erik Matti, known for being not just a film/ TV and advertising director but also for being a screen/story writer, producer and restaurateur; Erin Pascual who at an early age sought his talent for animation, special effects and as a motion graphics/ visual effects artist; Matthew Rosen who has been directing for over 25 years, winning national awards and awards globally with over 700 commercials, music videos and TV content under his belt and lastly; Christian Acuna who has been directing TV commercials and other advertising content for over two years and has vast success in directing short films.

If we were to see the world through the eyes of someone who knows no limit to possibility, would we see a different world from the one we live in now? Tang believes in celebrating kids’ creativity, their views and their work and with KiddiCine, welcomes the chance to see the world in their eyes.

Entries should be composed of a completed application form (with a short summary of the story) and an endorsement letter from the parents / guardian. All these have to be sent as “Tang KiddiCine Film Entry” to Ogilvy and Mather, Philippines, 25/F Picadilly Star Building, 4th Avenue corner 27th St, Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City 1634 or you can also send entries online. For more information on contest requirements and to download the form, you may go online to www.facebook.com/tangkiddicine . Deadline is on October 28, 2010.