Korean Cinema Industry makes history!

Unity makes strength!

The problem to obtain financial support and screening time is a worldwide problem to all independent films. But in Korea some companies will try to change this situation.

Help the Hayain (Yolanda) Victims in The Philippines - #HelpThePhilippines

I want to announce with this press release that I will stop all of Film Focus publications for 2013. The events of last Friday on Philippine soil made me to make this drastic measure. Explaining what and how I am link to the Philippines is right now superfluous and not relevant so I don’t want to deviate from the main objective of this entry.

First of all, I would like to express my deepest condolences to those who lost family members, friends, neighbors, and co-workers due to Typhoon Haiyan.

As its worldwide knows Typhoon Haiyan swept thought the Philippines leaving behind thousands missing, millions of people displaced and an estimated death toll of hundreds of thousands. Several cities were completely destroyed and survivors wander thought the streets searching for water and food.

I don't know if there is anybody who can understand what is Filipino people through. The tragedy not only affected those who were directly affected but also brought worry and distress to the million of Filipinos who work in cities like Manila, because they have relatives and friends in the affected areas.

As it should happen in all natural disasters it’s extremely important that Nations put aside any hostility and try to help those in need. This is why I will release a list of places where we can help with donations. Little as they may be it would mean a lot for those who lost everything.

I want apologize the readers of the blog but I think right now it’s more important to share this information and put it in the front page. I want to thank the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Buenos Aires for providing me with the information about where to donate. I want to send a big and affectionate hug to the entire Filipino people.

Thank you very much for your time. Magsama-sama, magpakatatag!

Sebastián Nadilo
(Writer and Editor of Film Focus)

1000 Bear Hugs

Aboitiz Foundatio

Ayala Fundation, Inc

Caritas FilipinasFoundation

Co-operativeDevelopment Foundation of Canada

Doctors WithoutBorders

Filipinos Worldwideheed call to action (Rappler List)

Philippine Red Cross

Save the Children

ShelterBox

UNHCR – The UN RefugeeAgency Philippines

UNICEF

US Philippines Society

(Disclaimer: This is a crowdsourced list. Please do your due diligence and ask before you give any money)

26th Tokyo International Film Festival –International Competition Juries (Press Conference)

In a special press conference the jury of the International Competition talked about their expectations for this year. Here are some of the notes and quotes from that conference.

26th Tokyo International Film Festival – Opening Ceremony

The 26th edition of the Tokyo International Film Festival has started!! Take a look at what happened at the open ceremony

18th Busan International Film Festival - Awards

These are the winners of the 18th Busan International Film Festival.

18th Busan International Film Festival - Viewfinder Asia Workshop

Al Jazeera and Asian Network of Documentary (AND) have announced the list of 10 finalists for the second edition of the Viewfinder Asia Workshop.

18th Busan International Film Festival - Meet the Guest: Talk to Talk

The 18^th Busan International Film Festival presents the ‘Meet the Guest: Talk to Talk’ event, where guests gather for a stimulating discussion on a particular topic. This event will take place from Friday to Sunday, October 4 – 6 at the Busan Cinema Center’s outdoor BIFF Terrace.

18th Busan International Film Festival - Open Talks

The 18th Busan International Film Festival provides ‘Open Talk’ to allow the audience to interact with guests from most issue-making films. This event, with Korean and international guests, will be held from October 4th (Fri) to 8th (Tue) over 4 days (excluding Sunday) on the Outdoor Stage at the BIFF Village, Haeundae.

18th Busan International Film Festival - International Guests

The Busan International Film Festival unveils its list of internationally acclaimed directors and actors who will visit the festival this year.

26th Tokyo International Film Festival – International Competition Jury

The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) has revealed the jury for the “International Competition”.

26th Tokyo International Film Festival – Asian Future & Japanese Cinema Splash Jury

The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) has revealed the jury for the sections “Asian Future” and “Japanese Cinema Splash”.

18th Busan International Film Festival - Irish Cinema

The 18th Busan International Film Festival (Oct. 3 – Oct. 12) presents an Irish Cinema special, ‘Rogues, Rebels and Romantics: A Season of Irish Cinema’. A total of 11 films by upcoming directors and established directors have been selected. The lineup includes films by John Boorman (a two-time recipient of the Best Director Award at the Cannes International Film Festival with Leo the Last (1970) and The General (1998)) and Jim Sheridan of In the Name of the Father (1993).

18th Busan International Film Festival - Philippine presence

We take a look at the Philippine films presented for the 18th Busan International Film Festival.

26th Tokyo International Film Festival – Full line up announced! (Press Conference)

The press conference to announce the complete line up and jury members for the 26th edition of Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) was held today, at Roppongi Hills, Tokyo.

26th Tokyo International Film Festival – Films revealed!!

The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) has revealed the films presented for this edition. Let´s take a sneak peak at the titles presented at the festival…

18th Busan International Film Festival – Closing Film

The Busan International Film Festival announced that the film “The dinner“ directed by Dong-hyun Kim will close the festival on October 12th.

18th Busan International Film Festival - Opening Film

The Busan International Film Festival has announced that the film “Vara: A Blessing“ directed by Khyentse Norbu will open the festival on October 3rd.

26th Tokyo International Film Festival - Festival Navigator!

This year’s Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) welcomes the actor Takumi Saito and the actress Hirona Yamazaki as our “Festival Navigators”,  introducing a younger generation to the enjoyment of movies through the film festival.

26th Tokyo International Film Festival - Taiwanese Cinema Renaissance

The 26th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) will hold a special-focus screening including films by established and veteran directors from Taiwan. Called “Taiwanese Cinema Renaissance 2013”, this special screening will be a part of the festival’s World Focus section.