Manila filmfest rescheduled for March 4 to 7, earmarks donations to L.A. fire aid

The second Manila International Film Festival (MIFF), originally scheduled from January 30 to February 2 and postponed amid the Southern California wildfires, will now be held from March 4 to 7.
The MIFF scaled back its plans. A portion of the proceeds from the events, including its screenings, will be donated to the Los Angeles fire relief efforts.
“All these events will have a fundraising aspect,” according to the organizers in a statement.
MIFF will still show entries plus special screening films at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood and hold a simple closing night event, “A Tribute to Our First Responders,” at the International Ballroom of The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills.
It will offer free admissions to the first responders and their immediate families at all the screenings. “A Tribute Dinner to Our First Responders” will honor the men and women who heroically battled the wildfires.
The entries are Jun Robles Lana’s “And the Breadwinner Is…” Chito S. Roño’s “Espantaho,” Zig Dulay’s “Green Bones,” Jason Paul Laxamana’s “Hold Me Close,” Crisanto B. Aquino’s “My Future You,” Kerwin Go’s “Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Hospital Killer,” Michael Tuviera’s “The Kingdom,” Richard Somes’ “Topakk” and Dan Villegas’ “Uninvited.”
Making its world premiere is “Song of the Fireflies,” a film from the team behind “Ang Larawan,” the acclaimed film adaptation of the stage musical based on “Portrait of the Artist as Filipino” by Nick Joaquin, the Philippines’ National Artist for Literature.
MIFF’s other special screenings include Gene Cajayon’s “The Debut,” a landmark Filipino American film celebrating its 25th anniversary; Jonathan Eusebio’s feature directing debut, “Love Hurts”; Regina Aquino’s “Faith Healers”; Michele Josue’s “Nurse Unseen”; James Love’s “A Filipino in America”; and the return of Cathy Garcia-Sampana’s box office record-breaking “Hello, Love, Again.”
Tickets to “A Tribute Dinner to Our First Responders” and screenings are now available. The revised screening schedule, closing night dinner and ticket information are available on the MIFF’s website: https://manilainternationalfilmfest.com/.