In celebration of Pride Month this June, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) will hold the 2nd PelikuLAYA: LGBTQIA+ Film Festival online from June 4 to 30.
With the theme “Sama-Sama, Lahat Rarampa!”, this year’s PelikuLAYA aims to further empower the members of the LGBTQIA+ community through a lineup of local and international films, film talks and lectures, a drag yoga event, and musical performances.
Beginning June 4, a total of 23 subscription films can be viewed for only PHP 99 on the FDCP Channel (fdcpchannel.ph), including the seven PelikuLAYA titles that are available until June 30: “Masahista” by Brillante Mendoza, “I Love You. Thank You” by Charliebebs Gohetia, “Mga Gabing Kasing Haba ng Hair Ko” by Gerardo Calagui, “Miss Bulalacao” by Ara Chawdhury, “Ang Huling Cha-Cha Ni Anita” by Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo, “Best. Partee. Ever.” by HF Yambao, and “Ned’s Project” by Lem Lorca.
Available for rental starting June 4 is award-winning French film “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” by Céline Sciamma starring Adèle Haenel and Noémie Merlant, which will have its Philippine Online Premiere at PelikuLAYA 2021. The 2019 Cannes Awardee for the Queer Palm Prize and Best Screenplay will be available for rental for PHP 220 with a 7-day access that will expire 48 hours after the first play.
PelikuLAYA will screen four films for free throughout the festival: Rhadem Morados’ documentary “Budjang” and three shorts from CineSpectra 2019: A Film Festival for HIV/AIDS Awareness — “A” by Rod Modina, “Alex & Aki” by Dexter Paul de Jesus, and “Doon sa Isang Sulok” by Yong Tapang, Jr.
In addition, one-time free screenings will be held: “Lihis” by Joel Lamangan for the opening program and “T-Bird at Ako” by Danny Zialcita for the closing program.
“The Film Development Council of the Philippines is relaunching PelikuLAYA this year as an annual LGBTQIA+ film festival organized by the national government as our way to express our continued support for gender equality and inclusivity by creating platforms to bring to light the struggles, celebrate the achievements, and champion the causes of the LGBTQIA+ community,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño.
The FDCP’s Cine Lokal held the 1st PelikuLAYA in 2018 with screenings of award-winning films in selected SM Cinemas. The following year, the FDCP mounted the 1st International Pride Celebration at Cinematheque Centre Manila in partnership with the Embassies of the United States, Austria, and Sweden in Manila.
