28 March 2014 – The Philippines was recognized for playing a leading role in the 2014 ASEAN Film Festival. At the opening ceremony held at Trader’s Hotel on March 17, Deputy Minister for Information U Paike Htwe paid tribute to the Chairman of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, Mr. Briccio G. Santos, as Lead Convenor of the ASEAN Film Festival.

Yangon City hosted the 2014 ASEAN Film Festival from March 17 to 21 at a historic crossroad of Myanmar’s reforms and chairmanship of ASEAN.

The Deputy Minister told of the power of movies to change a person or society, strengthen national character, or build a regional community like ASEAN.  He also spoke of the film industry as means to promote tourism and trade.

Mr. Santos, for his part, declared an ASEAN film agenda that will facilitate regional efforts to improve quality of films produced by filmmakers in the region.  He expressed optimism that partnerships between governments and the private sector will play a crucial role in achieving a brighter future for film industry in the region.

The opening of the 2014 ASEAN Film Festival was co-chaired by Deputy Minister for Culture U Than Swe who said that the endeavor “will lay down the basic principles to promote further cooperation on film industries in the region.”

Eighteen (18) films were screened during the week-long ASEAN Film Festival, including Filipino films “Anac Ti Pating” and “Bamboo Flowers.” END