Award-winning director Louie Ignacio’s indigenous film "Laut" is the opening film of the

Award-winning director Louie Ignacio’s advocacy film,"Laut," a story on the Badjao natives in Mindanao, has been selected as the opening film of the 3rd Singkuwento International Film Festival Manila Philippines (SIFFMP).

Part of the National Commission of Culture and the Art's (NCCA) celebration of Arts Month, the SIFFMP begins on February 19, 2016, 6:30 p.m. at the Leandro Locsin Theater, NCCA Building in Intramuros, Manila.

The film which serves as the World Premiere at the SIFFMP, tells the story of sea gypsies from Zamboanga who are now living in Mabalacat, Pampanga. Barbie Forteza plays “Nadia” of the group called Sama d’Laut. She hopes to marry the man she loves but was forced to leave when things got really difficult for her home province.She ends up in Mabalacat where she is forced to live

a new life.

Also in the cast of “Laut" are Ana Capri, Rico Barrera, Boobay Balbuena, Ezekiel Jash, Ronwaldo Martin (brother of Coco Martin), Gabby Garcia, Jak Roberto, Carl Acosta, Felixia Dizon, Erika Yu and Perla Bautista. It is produced by Baby Go, Jose Mari Abacan, Ferdinand Dizon Lapuz and Dennis Evangelista of BG Productions International.

“Laut”will have another screening at the SIFFMP on February 26, 2016, 2:30 p.m and March 3, 2016 (Thursday) 7:30 PM at the UP Film center in UP Diliman.

Ignacio’s “Child Haus,” about children afflicted with cancer, is also part of the SIFFMP's full-length exhibition. Screening schedules are February 21, 4:30 p.m. and February 26, 12 noon.

Now on its third year, the SIFFMP's main objective is to unite Filipino filmmakers around the world and enable them to have a voice through their films. It also aims to provide a channel for non-Filipinos artists to share their impressions of the Philippines and its people.

Festival director and programmer Perry Escaño announces, “This year is an exciting year for the SIFFMP with a good number of films having their world premiere and international premiere screenings. Also featured are critically-acclaimed films, both foreign and local, as well as competition for short fictional and documentary films.”

The 3rd SIFFMP head of the jury for international competition is Roberto Reyes Ang, filmmaker based in New York and Will Fredo, filmmaker based in Seattle as head of the jury for local compettion.

The SIFFMP festival is slated from February 19

to 27, 2016 t the Tanghalang Leandro Locsin,

NCCA Bldg., 633 General Luna Street, Intramuros,

Manila.

SIFFMP Full Access Festival Pass and tickets are available via TicketWorld outlets (891-9999)Website www.ticketworld.com.ph, Ayala and Trinoma Cinemas, Ebay Philippines, Olx.ph. and National Bookstore at the lobby of the NCCA.

The 3rd SIFFMP is brought to you by Juan.com.ph, YSA Skin and Body Experts, NailFiles, and NCCA.

(L-R) Will Fredo (Jury), Perry Escaño (Festival Director) and Roberto Reyes Ang (Jury)