Cagliari – As part of the year-long commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the Philippine-Italian Diplomatic Relations, the Philippine Embassy in Rome, in collaboration with Associazione Culturale ZEIT, successfully organized the “Across Asia Film Festival: Focus Filipino New Wave,” from 15 to 18 May 2013 in Cagliari, Sardegna.
The highlight of the festival was the homage to Khavn Dela Cruz, a multi-awarded and internationally renowned Filipino filmmaker, composer, poet, and has been called the father of Philippine digital filmmaking. The featured films by Dela Cruz included “Philippine New Wave”, “Kommander Kulas,” and the well-applauded, “Mondomanila.”
Other featured Filipino independent full-length films included “Ang Pangagahasa kay Fe” by Alvin Yapan, “Buenas Noches España” by Raya Martin, and short-films “Walang 
Katapusan Kuwarto” by Emerson Reyes, Kalon by Blecyrezza Piluden and “Si Pagong at Si Matsing” by Ayeen Pineda.
At the press conference held on 14 May, Cultural Officer Charisma Coros-Pineda emphasized the Philippine Embassy’s mission to promote Filipino culture and enhance cultural relations with Italy, reinforce links with Filipino communities and overseas Filipino workers through the medium of films. Despite the global economic slowdown and painful budgetary cuts in the cultural sector in many countries including Italy and the Philippines, H.E. Ambassador Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr. continues to highlight the importance of extending active support to cultural events and in promoting Filipino artistic talents and ingenuity.
At the closing ceremony of the festival on 18 May, Vice Consul Kristine Margret Malang acknowledged the generous support of the Provincia di Cagliari, Comune di Cagliari,
Societa’ Umanitaria-Cineteca Sarda and the Film Development Council of the Philippines. The Associazione della Comunità Filippina di Cagliari collaborated with the organizing committee and hosted a cultural program featuring Philippine folk dances performed by the Filipino youth. The event concluded with Filipino dishes served for both the Filipinos and Italians guests. (PE-Rome)
