Filipino American Shorts: A Tribute To Jonathan Laxamana

This shorts program was compiled to commemorate and honor the life of our fellow colleague Johnathan Laxamana, his work within the Filipino Community and the Chicago Filipino American Film Festival. These shorts showcase the rising talent of Filipino American filmmakers and the stories they tell through their unique lenses.

Advisory: The short WHITE LADY has depictions of Violence and Horror

Tuesday, May 23rd, 2023
6:00 PM

Gene Siskel Film Center
164 N State St, Chicago, IL 60601

Tickets

Bleached

Directed & Written by Jess dela Merced
http://www.jessdelamerced.com/

BLEACHED is the story of Lenny, a Filipino-American girl, who is forced by her image-obsessed mother to use a bleaching cream to lighten the color of her skin.

Produced by Niles Heckman, Marjorie Lin
Cinematography by Matthew Mendelson
Production Design by Christina Winkelmann
Starring Henrietta Gard, Elaine Pinto, Jess dela Merced, Dwight Narruhn

Winner - 2011 Best Short Film, Chicago Filipinio American Film Festival

A Lonely Afternoon

Directed & Written by Kyle Credo
https://www.kylecredofilm.com/

Justin, a timid Filipino boy, and his mischievous cousin, Lianne, cause trouble during a house blessing. When Lianne’s mother says they have to go home, Justin is left to his own devices. With no one to play with, Justin seeks companionship from his preoccupied family members.

Produced by Farah Abdo
Associated Producer Warren Credo
Cinematography by John Palanca

No Place Like Kasama

(Also screening in our Asian American Documentary Shorts: Chicago! program on Monday, May 22nd, 6PM)

Directed by Kerri Pang
http://www.kerripang.com/

No Place Like Kasama is a short documentary following chefs Genie Kwon and Tim Flores as they leave the Michelin-starred fine dining world to realize their lifelong dream — opening a neighborhood spot in Chicago.

Two weeks after they acquire the building, COVID-19 hits. Chicago is thrown into lockdown, destroying the restaurant industry. State regulations change daily, forcing them to adapt in real time. Handmade dinnerware shift to takeout containers. Dining chairs to patio heaters. Full staff to skeleton crew.

They persevere through 2020 in hopes that their restaurant will survive.

Produced by Kerri Pang
Cinematography by Kerri Pang, Dan Kang
Edited by Kerri Pang
Music by Alex Spiers

Phony

Written and Directed by Jess dela Merced
http://www.jessdelamerced.com/

Sunny, a young Asian American woman with anger management issues, returns home to the San Gabriel Valley seeking respite from her recent career failures - but a simple grocery shopping trip with her mother may prove more than she can handle.

Executive Produced by Paul Feig and Powderkeg Media
Starring Jess Dela Merced, Kristina Wong, Kyle Mizono, Princess Punzalan

White Lady

Advisory: Violence and Horror

Directed by Marc Yunco
http://www.marcyungco.com/

Produced by Joere Estremadura, Marc Yungco
Music by Arthur Rodger, ‘Harley’ Maranan
Cinematography by Peter Planta
Editing by Ian Tan, Marc Yungco
Starring Jason Asuncion, Carlo Fortin, Gabrielle Jacinto, Moheb Jindran, Lissa Neptuno, Phil Planta

Party Favor

Directed & Written by Yasmine Gomez
http://www.yasminegomez.com/

A Filipino-American woman grapples with going behind her strict Catholic sister's back to buy condoms for her 14-year-old niece.

Produced by Yasmine Gomez, Marisa Marquez
Starring Catherine Ricafort McCreary, Sara Rahman, Kim Berrios Lin

When You Left Me On That Boulevard

Directed & Written by Kayla Abuda Galang
https://www.kaylagalang.com/

Teenager Ly and her cousins get high before a boisterous family Thanksgiving at their auntie’s house in southeast San Diego in 2006. Stoned and harboring a romance with her maybe-boyfriend, Ly moves through her family's gossip, nosiness, and loudness until the day ends.

Executive Produced by Christopher Ayson, Homer Galang Jr, Leslie Abuda Galang, John Knighton
Produced by Samantha Skinner, Alifya Ali, Udoy Rahim, David Oconer, Kayla Abuda Galang
Cinematography by Rajinee Buquing
Starring Kailyn Dulay, Melissa Arcaya, Elle Rodriguez, Whitney Agustin, Gina May Gimongala, Alex Atienza, Allan Wayne Anderson, Joseph Mayang