PHILIPPINE FILM “CROSS MY HEART AND HOPE TO DIE” FEATURED AT THE RABAT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF AUTHOR CINEMA
Official film poster by Justin Besana. Photo courtesy of Tatler Asia
15 November 2024 – Sam Manacsa’s short film Cross My Heart and Hope to Die was featured as the official Philippine entry to the 29th Edition of the Rabat International Festival of Author Cinema held from 8 to 15 November 2024 in Rabat.
Photo courtesy of Tatler Asia
The film, which is Manacsa’s sophomore short film, tells about the struggles of the female protagonist Mila, an underpaid clerical worker in an unnamed business who finds comfort in a love interest through his constant phone calls. But the promise of hope led to an unexpected tragedy and sad love songs. The film also tackled some of today’s pressing issues including mental health and labor exploitation.
The film had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival under the Orrizonti short films category, and has since won several awards including the grand prize at the 2024 Saguenay International Short Film Festival in Canada, and best short film at the Stretto Film Festival 2023 in Italy, 2023 Leeds International Film Festival in the UK, the PÖFF Shorts (Black Nights Film Festival) 2023 in Estonia, and the 2023 Hainan Island International Film Festival in China, to name a few.
Cross My Heart and Hope to Die is the second Filipino film featured in an international film festival in Morocco since the reopening of the Philippine Embassy in Rabat in 2020.
Festival Director Ms. Malak Dahmouni hands over a plaque of recognition to Mr. Mendoza
Aside from the film, the festival also welcomed the participation of award-winning Filipino director Mr. Brillante Mendoza as the president of the jury composed of several renowned film makers from various countries. The film festival organizers recognized his invaluable contributions to the film industry not only in the Philippines, but in several international fora, through a video tribute and a plaque of recognition conferred during the closing ceremony of the film festival on 15 November 2024.
On the sidelines of the festival, Mr. Mendoza paid a courtesy call on Philippine Ambassador to Morocco H.E. Leslie J. Baja and met the Embassy personnel. END
