ToFarm Film Festival 2018

Another novel project BY TOFARM Film festival in partnership with Universal Harvester Incorporated and Landbank… this TOFARM Film Festival will also have a TOFARM Short Film Competition focusing on the life of our farmers which started wayback 2016 - 12 movies produced by TOFARM Film Festival (TFF) films leads to awareness in our youth today and for everyone to see the importance of farming in our very vast change in technology that modernized a lot of things today with a focus on urbanization. It also awakens the minds of everyone to new visions and perspectives.

Farming is one big thing that is so hard to present in our generation today. That's why this brilliant idea of TOFARM Film Festival a sure effective way to introduce the essential part of farming in our industry. Though they are saddened with the demise of TFF Director Maryo J. Delos Reyes, Dr. How is confident that they still have the expertise of our very own three seasoned film personalities as their film advisers - Ms. Bibet Orteza and Joey Romero with Laurice Guillen as a Consultant. I believed they are more than qualified and will surely have a great contribution in this project, not to replace Direk Maryo J. Delos Reyes because according to Ms. Bibet "there will always be only one Direk Maryo, only one original".

This year, as they launch their third festival with the theme “Tribute to Life”, they pave the way to  more meaningful films that will inspire the people about the lives, trials, and successes of farmers and other stewards of agriculture. Some of the Directors gets inspiration in their own life - they themselves were farmers.

In their first two years, 2016-2017 

12 entries have gained multiple international awards. It’s a good thing that people in other country appreciate movies like this and hopefully also here in our country. For this is all about real life. How we wish more quality films be produced like this that will bring us in the life before and enlivened our Filipino culture and values, the things that matters most in life. Movies plays a vital role in bringing us back to our core foundation and it is not just seeing our farmers but also acknowledging their huge contribution in our lives. And I also hope that through this film , they will be given higher recognition as one of the noblest occupation and deserves to be well-compensated.

So let's get ready to be blown away in tears as we watch stories of life that will surely touch our hearts and start to love more our awesome hardworking farmers. 

TOFARM Film Festival starts September 12-18, awarding night is on September 15. The Festival Committees are now accepting script entries for initial screening on April 20, 2018. For complete details log on to www.tofarm.org 

Congratulations TOFARM Film Festival, Universal Harvester Incorporated and Landbank,  blessings! 

PRESS RELEASE

All systems go for TOFARM Film Festival 2018

The local team festival scene is set to witness the third edition of the TOFARM Film Festival (TFF), which shall now include a TOFARM Short Film Competition. 

The brainchild of Socio-Entrepreneur Dr . Mila O. How, TFF is the only advocacy-driven film festival in the country today, with entries showcasing the lives, journeys, trials and triumphs of the Filipino farmer.

"We were deeply saddened with the demise of Direk Maryo J. Delos Reyes  our first TFF Director," Dr How said, "He gave so much of himself for TFF, When he suddenly left us, we found ourselves at a crossroad. Should we go on with the project or not?".

"But after a lot of thinking,  I personally thought it's best to carrynon what Direk Maryo started. The Festival would be a continuation of his vision for the farmers and for our film industry.  This is our tribute to him", Dr. How added.

In the absence of Direk Maryo, Dr. How sought the expertise of three seasoned film personalities who will stand as Festival Advisers, Bibet Orteza, and Joey Romero,  with Laurice Guillen as Consultant,  The Festival Director, however,  is yet to be appointed. 

"It's very overwhelming to get support from not one , but three well - respected people from the film and television industry.  It motivates us further to came up with more meaningful films that, hopefully,  will follow the success of our previous entries", Dr. Ho ore enthused.

Just in the first two years of its existence,  from 2016 to 2017, a number of TOFARM Film Festival entries have already gained international recognition following local exhibition. 

The weeklong TOFARM Film Festival 2018 will run from September 12 to 18, with the Awards Night stated on September 15. The festival committee is now accepting script entries for screening,  Deadline of Submission is on April 20, 2018. For more information on how to submit original manuscript,  log on to www.tofarm.org or check the Festival Mechanics and Rules and Regulations. 

Direk Maryo must be smiling in heaven.