PH Embassy in Lisbon Honors Filipina Filmmaker's Recognition at Plural+ Youth Video Festival

LISBON 03 December 2024 – Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Paul Raymund P. Cortes  welcomed Ms. Chaela Tordillo at the Philippine Embassy on 29 November 2024, following  her recognition at the prestigious PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival. The event took place  on the sidelines of the recently concluded 10th Global Forum of the United Nations  Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in Cascais, Portugal. Also present during the meeting  was Ms. Racquel Correa, a Filipina Youth, Peace, and Security Specialist currently  serving at the UN Youth Office in New York. 

Ms. Tordillo’s short film, Old Times, was selected as one of 32 exceptional films from 21  countries that were showcased at this year’s PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival, organized  by UNAOC, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and over 20 partner  organizations. 

Old Times tells the story of a retired fisherman who returns to his flood-prone hometown  in Bulacan. In a deeply emotional journey, he visits his former home, reflects on the  changes in the community, and honors the memory of a friend who perished in a  devastating typhoon. The film explores critical global issues such as climate change and  sea level rise, highlighting the growing environmental challenges facing communities  worldwide. 

The PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival, which was launched in 2009, serves as a platform  to empower young filmmakers to address global issues such as migration, social  inclusion, diversity, and the fight against xenophobia. By showcasing the work of youth  from around the world, the festival promotes respect for cultural diversity and fosters  social change through the power of storytelling. 

During the meeting, Ambassador Cortes expressed confidence in the promising future of  Filipino filmmaking, particularly in exploring relevant and important global issues. He and  Ms. Tordillo also discussed potential future collaborations, including the creation of video  explainers focusing on key themes of Philippine foreign policy, aimed at fostering greater  understanding and engagement among domestic and international audiences. END

For more information, visit https://www.lisbonpe.dfa.gov.ph,  https://www.facebook.com/PHLinPortugal/ or https://www.instagram.com/phinportugal/.