The Japan Foundation Asia Center launched and Action! Asia: Exchange Program for Students in Film Studies in 2014 fiscal year with the aim of encouraging a new generation of filmmakers from Asia to achieve a greater understanding of filmmaking in other countries, expand their networks in the region, and utilize their experience for their studies and future careers.

For its third edition, the program was co-organized with the University of the Philippines Film Institute, in cooperation with the Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and held in the Philippines from late February to early March for 13 days. This was the first workshop held outside Japan, in Quezon City, Metro Manila, one of the Asia’s undisputed movie capitals.

At the workshop, 19 students in film studies from Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia made three short films and received special lectures by film professionals who lead Filipino film industry, Bianca Balbuena, Carlos Siguion Reyna and Armando “Bing” Lao. The works the participants made were screened at Cine Adarna of the University of the Philippines and reviewed by the audiences and the professionals.


These colorful three short films were revealed online. (Source: http://jfac.jp/en/culture/news/and-action-asia03-170330/)


Watch  KELLY AND THE TV HEAD

Synopsis: It is Kelly’s birthday and her best friend, Jade, would like to surprise her. Instead of taking Kelly to shopping, she takes Kelly to a local stand alone cinema that offers Kelly an unexpected cinematic experience which reminds her of her past.

Production Team: Nur Ikmar Bin Sarbini, Katrina May B. Banaag, Egha Muhammad Harismina, Supakit Sonsee, Kento Fukuda, John Peter Cadiz Chua, Gilan Paolo P. Ilagan, Yow Chong Lee (Instructor)


Watch  TASTE OF LIFE

Synopsis: Nam, a Thai Muslim food blogger, is assigned to write an article about Filipino food. She meets Lilly, a dismissive local guide assigned to help her. After mistakenly feeding Nam pork, Lilly tries to make amends by making her review Bulalo. Over the course of the meal, they eventually bond and start an understanding each other. They develop something more than a friendship.

Production Team: Attawut Intagoon, Lorenzo Miguel B. Hilario, Evan Secunda, Nehemiah Yap Jia Sheng, Koichiro Ishii, Alphonzo C. Alegrado, Nuntanat Duangtisarn(Instructor), Yusmita Akhirul Latif(Instructor)


Watch RED

Synopsis: A university student faces a confusing situation. He tries to define his color. When he tries to find it, he faces some obstacles.

Production Team: Kenji Hayashi, Brainard Bill Barrinuevo, Anthony Saleh Ngau, Katrina Ysabel Villarosa, Herry Setyadi,Tin Chanabangkaew, Makoto Watanabe (Instructor)


To read other related news about this event, check the following online articles:

Shapes of filmmaking to come http://www.philstar.com/arts-and-culture/2017/04/10/1689336/shapes-filmmaking-come

Art That Transcends Barriers http://lifestylenetwork.tv/lifestyle-network-fun/art-that-transcends-barriers