Mapua University to Showcase Student Films in the First Filipino International Film Festival in Korea

Six student films from the Mapua University will be showcased in the first Korea Pinoy International Film Festival (KPIFF) to be held at the Arirang Cinema Center in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul from September 27 to 29, 2019. Mapua’s slot, dubbed "Best of Mapua", will be on Saturday, September 28, at 5:00 P.M. 

These 6 films have been featured and have won awards from various festivals both local and international:

1. Disconnection Notice (19 minutes)

Director: Glenn Lowell Averia
Cast: Jude Servilla, JV Servilla
Award: NETPAC Award in Cinemalaya 2019 Independent Film Festival
Away from his home in the province, Paul shuffles between the responsibilities of being the eldest sibling in their apartment and reconnecting with his youngest brother Carl who now lives with him.

2. Gatilyo (19 minutes)

Director: Harold Lance Pialda
Cast: Rocky Salumbides, Liya Sarmiento, Miguel Domino Roberta, Roberta Daleon, Jester Cortes
Awards: Best Film in CineMapúa 2019 Digital Student Film Festival; Finalist in Cinemalaya 2019 Independent Film Festival

The lone survivor of an ambush gets haunted by the war he survived.

3. Nik-Nik (21 minutes)

Director: Nixs Bernal
Cast: Mercedes Cabral, Ashley Namilit
Awards: Best LGBT Award in Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards; Best Film in CineMapúa 2018 Digital Student Film Festival

A 6-year old girl attempts to solve the rubik’s cube and in the process, connects segments of her future.

4. Ophelia (15 minutes)

Director: Celina Mae Medina
Cast: Rea Molina, Soliman Cruz, Angelina Kanapi
Awards: Best Film Editing and Best Performance of an Actress in CineMapúa 2019 Digital Student Film Festival; Screened in the Short Film Corner of the 2019 Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France.
A depressed college student asks parents for psychiatric. The parents have other plans in mind.

5. Pood (4 minutes)

Director: Gio Sallena
Award: Finalist in CineMapúa 2018 Digital Student Film Festival

A young boy accidentally discovers the magical portal to the enchanted world of Malignos despite his father’s warning not to venture into the forest.

6. Southbound (6 mins)

Director: Zaira Daradar and Rhadney Reyes
Award: Best Animation Film in CineMapúa 2018 Digital Student Film Festival

A high school student whose day seems so ordinary encounters a strange incident which reveals that the progression of technology isn't always good.

Prof. Benigno B. Agapito, Jr., dean of Mapua’s School of Media Studies, will be introducing the films and will be talking about Mapua’s film program. Mapua University is a partner school of Chung-Ang University and Sungkyunwan University, both based in Seoul.

Mapua’s School of Media Studies faculty member Prof. Roberto Reyes Ang will also accompany Agapito and will have his short film, TNT – Tago Nang Tago (Always on the Run), featured in the Director’s Showcase along with the works of other filmmakers to be held on September 29, Sunday, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the same venue.