LAOAG CITY, Oct. 25 — Come to Ilocos Norte and let’s watch horror movies for free this Ghost Week called Semana ti Ar-Aria.
The province is hosting a first-ever film festival as Governor Imee Marcos entered into an agreement with the Film Development Council of the Philippines, thru its chair, Briccio Santos, to unify their efforts and resources for a three-day film festival starting October 25.
The film fest, dubbed, “Sineng Pambansa Ilocos Norte Film Festival” will feature films on death and the supernatural in time for Halloween. This will start the Semana ti Ar-aria (Ghost Week) celebration in the province.
According to Clenn Guzman of the Provincial Media Office, there will be 24 mainstream and indie films to be screened simultaneously at the Robinsons Mall Cinema 3 and Mariano Marcos State University Teatro Ilocandia.
“We have classic horror films such as the original Shake, Rattle and Roll which will open the festival; Itim by Mike de Leon; the indies, ‘Kinatay’ by Brillante Mendoza, and ‘the horrifying Yanggaw, among many others,” she said.
Guzman said they have invited more than 5,000 movie fans from different schools, local government units, tourism offices, including balikbayans to attend the film festival.
Aside from the film showing, there will also be a free workshop for film enthusiasts and budding film makers to be mentored by actor/comedian and film director Leo Martinez.
The workshop will be held at the Teatro Ilocandia on October 27.
According to Governor Marcos, the film festival is an opportunity to promote local films and at the same time promote the province as a choice location for making foreign and local films.
International films such as Born in the Fourth of July starring Tom Cruise; and award-winning local films “Himala,” “Isla,” “Temptation Island,” “Panday” series, among others have chosen Ilocos Norte for its location shooting.
“Filmmaking is a very lucrative venture, thus, budding filmmakers and enthusiasts should take advantage of this festival. Everyone is welcome,” Governor Marcos said. (ANL/CPC-PIA 1 Ilocos Norte)
