Los Angeles, CA - November 3, 2023 – Inaugural FilAm Creative Film Festival (FACFF) kicks off its red-carpet opening night on Friday, November 3rd sponsored and co-hosted by Occidental College Media Arts and Culture and Oxy Arts and presented by Dean Devlin’s Electric Entertainment. FACFF is produced by FilAm Creative, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a 13-year legacy of supporting Filipino American and AAPI artists. ABS-CBN, MYX, and The Filipino Channel (TFC) are FACFF’s official global media partners.

Reimagined Volume II: “Mahal” is slated as a Special Program in FACFF’s already exciting line up. Directed by Filipina creative storyteller, Michaela Ternasky-Holland, the award-winning immersive animated virtual reality (VR) series was created in partnership with Meta and produced by Very Cavalier Productions. FACFF 3-day programming also includes the Oscar qualified film, “Every Day After” by Elisa Gambino & Neal Broffman, Sundance 2023 Short Film Grand Jury Prize winner “When You Left Me on That Boulevard” directed by Kayla Abuda Galang, education panels by celebrated industry professionals, and the following FACFF Nominees and Official Selections:

• “Paco”directed by Kent Donguines (Best Short Film Nominee)
• “Palibut-Libot” (In Circles) directed by San-San Onglatco (Best Short Film Nominee)
• “Jake, the Failure” directed by Julian Sibal (Best Short Film Nominee)
• “Kilig!” directed by Kacey Layson (Best Short Film Nominee)
• “Love, Lola” directed by Marcia “Angel” Cagandahan (Best Short Film Nominee)
• “Connection” directed Achim Mendoza (Best Short Film Nominee)
• “Bubble Tea” directed by Bianca Catbagan (Best Music Video Nominee)
• “Sayo Na” directed by Nicholas James Barber (Best Music Video Nominee)
• “Run Rabbit- Poison” directed by Ralph Espina (Best Music Video Nominee)
• “Glimmer” directed by Arianna Basco
• “Joyrider” directed by Sebastien Tobler
• “Packing Day” directed by Rafhael Dungca
• “Ang Huling Adobo” directed by Juan Raymundo Ramos
• “Homeland” directed by Brianna Somera
• “A Sweet Tooth” directed Presley Paras
• “Bare-Knuckle” directed by Alex De Ocampo
• “Malaya” starring Katrina Cachola and Matthew Marzo

Adding to the festival's prestige is the presence of the Philippines' most decorated awardwinning filmmaker of all time, Brillante Mendoza. The support of local and international media partners, including ABS-CBN, the Philippines' largest media conglomerate, further underscores the significance of the festival. Just weeks prior to this groundbreaking event, FilAm Creative partnered with Philippines' #1 movie star, Kathryn Bernardo, and Dolly DeLeon, the first Filipina actress ever to be nominated for a Golden Globe.

Since its inception in 2010, FilAm Creative has aimed to expand its diverse and high-quality programming by adding a Film Festival to its repertoire. This move reflects the organization's unwavering commitment to advancing and empowering Filipino-Americans and AAPI individuals in the world of media and entertainment. Ed Mallilin, FilAm Creative Board of Directors Representative, highlights the organization's vision, stating, "By providing educational and community-oriented programming and resources, FilAm Creative aims to encourage and create leaders who share their vision." Jennielyn Abrot, Owner/Producer of JAR Entertainment and Head of FACFF, is poised to lead this dynamic initiative.

FACFF proudly announces the esteemed 2023 Jurors who will play a vital role in shaping the festival's narrative. Leading the panel is the appointed Jury President Yong Chavez, an awardwinning Hollywood correspondent and a voting member of the Golden Globes, with a wealth of experience serving as a juror and jury president in various award shows and film festivals. The complete list of 2023 FACFF Jury Members include:

• Abdul Mallik Abbott, Award-winning Director and Producer
• Loren Albento, Talent Manager/Producer, LBI Entertainment
• Ted Benito, Former Executive Director of the Apl.de.Ap Foundation International
• Tey Clamor, Award-winning Cinematographer based in Manila, Philippines
• Lea Dizon, Development Head, ABS-CBN Production International Studios
• Michele Josue, Emmy Award-winning Fil-Am Director
• Randal Kamradt Jr., Fil-Am Writer and Director
• Marc Anthony Nicolas, Emmy Award-winning Producer
• Marie Rouhban, Director
• Dane Allen Smith, Creative Producer specializing in digital media

In an exciting collaboration, the festival has partnered with Birns & Sawyer to introduce the Birns & Sawyer / FilAm Creative Film Festival Grant. Launched on August 26, 2023, this grant will support emerging filmmakers and the grant winner will be unveiled during the festival's awards gala on November 5, 2023.

JURY MEMBERS FOR THE 2023 BIRNS & SAWYER / FILAM CREATIVE FILM FESTIVAL GRANT:

• Leah Anova, Birns & Sawyer (Jury Co-President)
• Randall Kamradt, Jr., FilAm Creative (Jury Co-President)
• Drea Castro, “Baldy for the Blind”
• Joe Johnson, Birns & Sawyer
• Malou Kamradt, FilAm Creative
• Grace Ann Moss, Warner Bros. Discovery
• Bianca Nepales, Lionsgate
• Christian Rodriguez, AAO Entertainment
• Lyra Tan, The Gersh Agency
• James Arcega Tinsley, “Mayor of Kingstown”
• Jev Valles, 42 Management (formerly at UTA)
• Ken Zheng, Sun and Moon Films

For tickets and additional information, please visit facff.com. For media inquiries, kindly contact info@facff.com, attention FACFF Media Inquiry. Don't miss this historic event, which promises to illuminate the world of Filipino and AAPI
storytelling in film. Join us for a weekend of cinematic brilliance, celebration, and community empowerment at the FilAm Creative Film Festival on November 3-5, 2023!