SDFFF 2024 Programming Team
 What I enjoy the most when programming films every year is witnessing the growth of filmmakers who consistently submit their works. I think this year has a decent balance of films from the Philippines and here. I hope our audience can see how diverse our community is, how being a Filipino doesn’t mean being just one thing. Identity starts with the individual. |
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 It is an honor to be a part of the SDFFF Programming Team this year! Watching the films, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in the diverse narratives of the global Filipino community. Some stories reminded me of my friends, family, and colleagues, and my experiences as a queer Filipino-American. Other films presented rare perspectives I’d never been exposed to before. This proves that festivals like this are indispensable – and present us beyond the monolith that people assume we are. This year’s selections truly capture the spirit, creativity, and passion of Filipinos everywhere. I hope you all enjoy watching them as much as I did, and learn something, too. |
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 The arts have been a lifelong passion, a profound force that has shaped my worldview and identity. From theatre to music and performance art, I have always held the belief that the arts are indispensable in cultivating an inclusive, compassionate, and enriched society. This year, I was deeply honored and immensely grateful to contribute to San Diego Filipino Cinema’s programming team. The experience was nothing short of transformative. We curated a selection of exceptional films that elicited deep emotions, evoked joyous laughter, and inspired introspection, leading to personal growth. San Diego is a haven for extraordinary artists, and it was a rare privilege to witness the vulnerability, dedication, creativity, and meticulous intentionality each filmmaker infused into their work. These films underscored the immense power of storytelling, enabling us to see ourselves and each other with renewed depth and understanding. |
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 My year with SDFC has been a journey of quiet growth. I’ve always thrived in the background, finding strength in the solitude of my room. It’s surprising how, from this peaceful corner, armed with just my coffee and laptop, I’ve connected with so many different places and people. SDFC became more than just an opportunity, it opened doors I never imagined. It welcomed me into a community where filmmakers celebrate and share Filipino culture and identity. As I look at this year’s festival lineup, I’m confident that SDFC will continue to create opportunities for aspiring and inspiring filmmakers to showcase who we are in every corner that the media can reach. I would always look forward to seeing how SDFC evolves and inspires even more, creating new spaces for voices to be heard and stories to be shared. |
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 This experience is one I will treasure. Witnessing these incredible bodies of work and immersing myself in stories that, while rooted in a culture different from my own, resonated deeply through our shared human connections, has been profoundly impactful. The ability to connect, learn, and be moved by these narratives is something I will carry with me. It was a privilege to be part of this journey, where the power of cinema bridges diverse worlds and reminds us of the beauty in our shared experiences. |
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 As a lifelong fan of cinema, it is a huge honor to be a part of the SDFFF’s programming team this year. It is impossible to put in a single paragraph how much it means to me to celebrate our culture, and the art of Filipino Cinema. The San Diego Filipino Film Festival is a young and upcoming program that helps elevate the massive amount of talent that Filipino filmmakers have in our community. No matter how far or close we are to home, our experiences as Filipinos connect us. We bridge generations by sharing these stories. And through the silver screen, we are able to showcase it in living color. And it’s my honor to help share our filmmakers’ works of art. It brings me so much joy to see shorts from the Philippines being highlighted in this year’s lineup. I hope this encourages the audience to look into more works from Filipino cinema and discover the diversity of our movies. Mabuhay ang Pelikulang Pilipino! |
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 It’s a huge honor to be welcomed back to San Diego Filipino Film Festival’s programming team and get to witness the ever-growing expression of diasporic Philippine storytelling. It’s great to see this year’s selection of films coming from returning seasoned filmmakers and new faces who continue to push the envelope of the cinematic medium. It feels special that SDFFF can platform so many incredible films to showcase the range of layered and nuanced Filipino/a/x experiences that inform their respective lenses. From the over the top, stylish, to the quiet and understated films, audiences get to see it all. |
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 Being a part of the San Diego Filipino Film Festival has opened many doors, leading to opportunities and connections I would not have found without volunteering. It is now an honor to be one of the programmers for this year’s festival as it constantly reminds me that Filipino stories have been here, waiting to be told.Emma, Benito, and the rest of the talented people involved have fostered such a loving and encouraging community within SDFC that cannot be replicated. The San Diego Filipino Film festival continues to provide spaces that are typically not afforded to us. If you have a chance to volunteer, run—don’t walk!!! As a member of the programming team, I hope that you will also be inspired and seen through the films that were selected for this year’s festival. |
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