(Photo from Let’s Get Short Film Screening Event Facebook page )
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Renowned Filipino screenwriter Ricky Lee is visiting here for a two-day script writing workshop coinciding with the screening of nine Filipino short films recognized in various film festivals.
Award-winning director Jarell Serencio, founder of Man Overboard Productions, announced on Monday that Lee will give a workshop in two universities in the city on March 8-9 at the Holy Cross of Davao College and the University of Southeastern Philippines, respectively.
Serencio recently won Best Director at the Metro Manila Film Festival 2016 for his second short film, Mga Bitoon sa Siyudad (Stars in the City).
Lee is Serencio’s mentor in script writing in 2003 when he joined the first batch of ABS-CBN and Lee’s TV scriptwriting workshop.
“It’s really my dream of bringing him here in Davao to reach students to inspire those who want to become a writer or filmmaker,” he said during Monday’s Kapehan sa Davao press conference.
Lee is a recipient of 70 awards, including three life achievement awards from the Cinemanila International Film Festival, the Gawad Urian, and the PMPC, respectively. He has written 170 produced film screenplays since 1973.
Among his books are Si Tatang at mga Himala ng Ating Panahon, Pitik-Bulag sa Buwan ng Pebrero, Brutal/Salome, Moral, Para Kay B and Bukas May Pangarap. He has also published the screenplay manual, Trip to Quiapo, which was made a reference material in college communications courses.
The workshops are open to the public. Serencio said interested participants will just have to purchase a book written by Lee which will be available at the Film Development Council of the Philippines Cinematheque Davao along Palma Gil Street starting March 4.
Aside from Lee’s writing workshops, the Man Overboard Productions will also hold the screening of nine multi-awarded Filipino short films on March 8 and 11.
The line up include Serencio’s Victor, which won Best Short Feature in Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival 2012, and his Mga Bitoon sa Syudad; Sheron Dayoc’s Mientras Su Durmida (As He Sleeps) which won Best Short Film at the International Film Festival in Serbia and Best Director at the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival in 2012; Martika Ramirez Escobar’s Pusong Bato (Stone Heart) which won Best Short Feature at the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival in 2015 and Best Short Film at the Singkuwento International Film Festival; Petersen Vargas’ Lusyun qng Geografia (Geography Lessons) which won Best Director at the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival in 2015; Ryanne Murcia’s Entre Medio Del Fin (In the Middle of the End) which won Best Short Film at the Mindanao Film Festival 2016; Isabel Quesada’s Pektus which won Best Short Feature and Best Screenplay at the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival 2016; Mon A.L. Garilao’s Fish Out of Water which won Best Director for a Short Feature and Special Jury Prize at the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival 2016; and EJK by Bor Ocampo which won Best Short Film at the Metro Manila Film Festival in 2016. (davaotoday.com)
