We present a list of six Festivals you cannot miss.

14th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival
Metro Manila, Philippines
Dates: August 3rd – 12th, 2018
Website

We start this month in Philippines for the 2018 Cinemalaya, one of the best festivals in South Asia. The festival aims to invigorate the Philippine filmmaking by developing a new breed of filmmakers. Each year, ten fresh talents are given a seed grant in order to create the film of their dreams. The festival has two main sections: Full Length Competition and the Short Film Competition. Aside from these sections the festival has an exquisite line up of films from South Asia and a retrospective of the best pinoy Films. We recommend readers to attend ALL screenings for the main competitions (Full and Short Films). We also recommend “Of Love & Law” by Hikaru Toda (Japan | 2017), “Bad Genius” by Nattawut Poonpiriya (Thailan | 2017), “And Larawan” by Loy Arcenas (Philippines | 2017), “Ang Panahon Ng Halimaw” by Lav Diaz (Philippines | 2017), “Delia and Sammy” by Therese Cayaba (Philippines | 2018), “Bomba” by Ralston Jover (Philippines | 2017) and “Respeto” by Treb Monteras II (Philippines | 2018). The opening film will be “Buy Bust” by Erik Matti and the closing film will be “The Taste of Rice Flower” by Pengfei (China).

2nd Pista Ng Pelikulang Pilipino
Nationwide, Philippines
Dates: August 15th – 21st, 2018
Website

Some days later we stay in Philippines for the 2nd Pista Ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) a unique festival that takes place nationwide were Filipino cinema theaters can only screen the films selected by the PPP. The festival’s objective is to recognize Filipino artistry in films, promote our country and its talents globally, protect our film cultural heritage, and empower every Filipino through film development and education. Each year the festival chooses eight films to be screened across the Philippines. As always we recommend seeing ALL the selected movies but we want to make a special mention: Please go see Balangiga: Howling Wilderness by Khavn. We think it’s a movie you shouldn’t miss.

4th Seoul Webfest
Seoul, South Korea
Dates: August 16th – 21st, 2018
Website

Almost at the same time but on South Korea we have the Seoul Webfest, Korea’s only webfest festival. The festival’s objective is to create a place that nurtures and cultivates upcoming filmmakers. The festival features the best Web series from around the world and Korea. The festival will take place from August 16th – 18th at the Hotel Park Habio in Seoul. Then the festival will tour to Sangju & Chuncheon (from August 19th – 21st).

22nd Seoul International Cartoon & Animation Festival
Seoul, South Korea
Dates: August 23rd – 26th, 2018
Website

Some day after we stay in Seoul for the Seoul International Cartoon & Animation Festival (SICAF). The festival is one of the most renowned animation festivals in Asia. Their goal is to change the public paradigm about cartoon and animation and maximize the economic effect of the business related with cartoon and animation. We are still waiting for the full line-up so we will tell you our recommendations when they upload their website.

17th Hiroshima International Animation Festival
Hiroshima, Japan
Dates: August 23rd – 26th, 2018
Website

At the same time but in Hiroshima Japan another animation festivals starts, the Hiroshima International Animation Festival. This biennial manifestation is endorsed by Association Internationale du Film d’Animation (ASIFA). Under the spirit of LOVE & PEACE, the festival has been dedicating to the advancement of visual media art culture in general, by promoting international cross-cultural exchanges through the development of animation art. Today, Hiroshima Festival is considered as one of the most respected animation festivals in the world. It is also qualified as an Academy Award Short Film Festival. This year the festival received more than 2,800 submissions from 88 countries. The final competition will showcase 75 short animations.

5th Taiwan International Queer Film Festival
Taipei, Taichung, Tainan & Kaoshiung, Taiwan
Dates: August 24th – September 16th, 2018
Website

Our last festival for the month is the 5th Taiwan International Queer Film Festival. The festival aims to establish as the premier LGBT film festival in all of Asia. It is important not only to present to the Taiwanese people LGBT films from around the globe, but also to showcase the best Taiwanese queer cinema on the international stage. We remind readers that the TIQFF is a multi-city festival that will take place in Taipei from August 24th – September 2nd, in Taichung from September 7th – 9th, in Tainan from September 8th – 9th and in Kaoshiung from September 11th – 16th. This year the opening film will be Bao Bao by Guang-Cheng Shie (Taiwan) and the closing film will be After Louie by Vincent Gagliostro (USA). We recommend watching Deadma Walking by Julius Alfonso (Philippines), I Miss You When I See You by Simon Chung (Hong Kong) and Of Love & Law by Hikaru Toda (Japan).

Festival’s Trailer: