Location | Washington, D.C., United States |
---|---|
Founded | 2010 |
No. of films | 2000 |
Website | www |
World Music & Independent Film Festival (WMIFF) is an international film festival that takes place annually in Washington D.C.. Held in the third week of August the seven-day festival is a showcase of independent filmmakers and musicians from around the world. [1]
WMIFF was established in 2010 by actor, producer Master June Daguiso to celebrate and provide a platform of achievements for international cinema artists. Dedicated to building a global film community and supporting emerging filmmakers, WMIFF offers all selected artists exceptional exposure with an inclusive vibe that has won over alumni, attendees, and industry members alike. [2] WMIFF festivities are open to all, featuring some of the most talented artists in both film and music. [3] [4] [5]
The inaugural year of 2010 was attended by notable celebrities including Academy Award winning actor Louis Gossett Jr, Actress Cynthia Rothrock, Actor Tray Chaney, Filipino experimental guitarist and actor, Edrew Cardano, Tibetan music composer and Grammy Award nominee Nawang Khechog, Filmmaker Al Sutton, Actor Warrington Gillette of Friday The 13th Part 2 fame, [6] Actor Robert Z’Dar. [7]
At each festival a number of awards are given by an international jury. This week-long festival highlights includes opening and closing night celebrations, a festival centerpiece presentation, special spotlight on South East Asia Films, International music videos, concluding with a Red Carpet Black tie event held at the Washington Plaza Hotel in Washington D.C. [8] The festival attracts celebrities, media journalists, civic and community leaders, film crews and film enthusiasts from around the globe, as well as the D.C. metropolitan area which includes Virginia and Maryland. In the last fours years attendees included award-winning personalities including Academy Award nominee singer-songwriter Carol Connors, [9] Grammy Award Winner Nawang Khechong, Acclaimed filmmaker Rohit Gupta, [10] Emmy Award Winners David Lago and Merrie Lynn Ross, two times Grammy Award nominated musician Cisco Steel, [11] Award-winning Actress Dipti Mehta. [12] and Steven Bauer best known for Scarface and Ray Donovan.
New York Film Academy – School of Film and Acting (NYFA) is a private for-profit film school and acting school based in New York City, Los Angeles, and Miami. The New York Film Academy was founded in 1992 by Jerry Sherlock, a former film, television and theater producer. It was originally located at the Tribeca Film Center. In 1994, NYFA moved to 100 East 17th Street, the former Tammany Hall building in the Union Square. After 23 years of occupancy, the academy relocated from Tammany Hall to 17 Battery Place.
Nora Cabaltera Villamayor, known professionally as Nora Aunor, is a Filipino actress, recording artist, and film producer. Aunor has also appeared in several stage plays, television shows and concerts. She is known as Philippine cinema's "Superstar" and was conferred as a National Artist of the Philippines for Film and Broadcast Arts in 2022. The Hollywood Reporter called her "The Grand Dame of Philippine Cinema" for her performances in the movies Taklub (Trap) and Hustisya (Justice), and for her contributions to the Philippine film industry.
Maria Izadora Ussher Calzado-Wintle is a Filipino actress. Known for her roles in blockbusters and independent films, particularly drama, psychological thriller and horror, she has received a selection of accolades, including an Osaka Asian Film Festival Award, an Asian Television Award, a Gawad Urian, a Luna Award and three Metro Manila Film Festival Awards, in addition to nominations for five FAMAS Awards. Her films have collectively earned ₱1.96 billion, making her one of the highest-grossing Filipino box office stars this century.
Ana Karylle Padilla Tatlonghari-Yuzon, known mononymously as Karylle, is a Filipino singer and actress. Having achieved mainstream success across stage, screen, and music, her accolades include four Awit Awards, an Asian Television Award, two MTV Pilipinas Music Award, a New York Festivals International TV and Film Award, and a Star Award for Television, including nominations from Monte Carlo Festival, Aliw Awards and Golden Screen Awards.
The Cinemalaya, officially the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, is a film festival in the Philippines held annually during the month of August, traditionally at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex, but in recent years the Festival screenings also extend to various cinemas. Its aim is the development and promotion of Filipino independent films. The film festival is organized by the Cinemalaya Foundation, Inc. with the support of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Econolink Investments, Inc.
Rodel Pacheco Nacianceno, known as Coco Martin, is a Filipino actor, director, producer, and screenwriter. Known for his performances in action and romantic drama, he is one of the most awarded Filipino actors of the 21st century. His accolades include an ASEAN International Film Festival and Award, two FAMAS Awards, two Gawad Urian Awards, ten PMPC Star Awards for Television and eight Box Office Entertainment Awards. Martin's films have grossed ₱2.3 billion worldwide, making him one of the highest-grossing box office stars of all time. Tatler Asia named him one of the most influential Filipino personalities in Asia.
Mary Aiko Shimoji Melendez, known professionally as Aiko Melendez, is a Filipino actress and politician. She currently serves as a councilor of Quezon City from the 5th district since 2022, a position she previously held from the 2nd District from 2001 to 2010. Her father, Jimmy Melendez, was an actor. Her half-brother, Jam Melendez, also entered showbusiness.
Cherry Pie Sison Picache is a Filipino actress. Known primarily for her versatile work across independent films, blockbusters and television productions, she has received numerous accolades, including two Durban International Film Festival Awards, an Osian's Cinefan Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema Awards, two Asian Television Awards, three Gawad Urian Awards, two Metro Manila Film Festival Award and a Luna Award. In 2006, S Magazine named her one of Philippine cinema's best actresses of all time.
Paparazzi: Eye in the Dark is a 2011 romantic mystery film directed by Bayo Akinfemi and starring Van Vicker, Koby Maxwell, Tchidi Chikere, Syr Law, JJ Bunny and Chet Anekwe. The film depicts the adventures of an aspiring photographer whose accidental picture exposes an infamous murder mystery. The film was initially slated for a direct-to-video release but as of February, 2011 was scheduled for a multiple-city limited theatrical release. Made for a low six-figure budget and filmed over the course of 19 days, the film has been known in the Nollywood USA market as the film that has changed the look and sound of Nollywood by introducing a more western approach to production quality. Notably the filmmakers employed the experience of an American filmmaker to serve as cinematographer and editor.
Life! Camera Action... is a family-drama film directed, written, edited, produced by Rohit Gupta, in his feature-length directorial debut. Starring Dipti Mehta, Shaheed Woods, Noor Naghmi, Swati Kapila, John Crann, this ninety minutes quasi-autobiographical film follows a girl in pursuit of her dreams of becoming a filmmaker against all odds. The film received several awards and nominations. Its theatrical release was limited to film festivals. The film received direct-to-DVD release and subsequently on other video on demand (VOD) platforms.
Sanjay Arora is an Indian filmmaker and Actor. He is known for making films such as Expression, Chase, Butterfly Wings, Once Again.
Dipti Mehta is an Indian American actress best known for her portrayal of Reina in Life! Camera Action... bringing her multiple international awards and nominations.
Rohit Gupta is a film director, film producer and entrepreneur who resides in the United States. He is known for directing Midnight Delight, Life! Camera Action..., Another Day Another Life, winning several awards & nominations. Gupta is the founder and owner of Dot & Feather Entertainment production company, Film Festivals To Go (FFTG), and FFTG Awards Film Fest.
Midnight Delight is an American absurdist anthology film written and directed by Rohit Gupta. It is composed of nine vignettes of characters at a smoking lounge and their antics with people they have never met before. It stars an ensemble cast and produced by Gupta and Saumin Mehta under the production company Dot & Feather Entertainment. The film is the second feature directed by Gupta, best known for Life! Camera Action... and Another Day Another Life.
Irma Santonil Adlawan is a Filipino stage, television and film actress. She is dubbed as the “Queen of Independent Cinema” for her acting prowess and exceptional contribution to the Philippine film industry.
Siddharth Chauhan is an Indian screenwriter, director and producer from Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. He was awarded the "Youth Achiever" award by Hindustan Times Group in August 2014. Chauhan has not received any professional training in this field. His films have been screened across places including Sarajevo, UK, US, Belarus, Indonesia, New Zealand, Italy, China, Canada and France. He is the first independent filmmaker from Himachal Pradesh to have continuously taken his locally produced films outside India.
Shaheed K. Woods is an American actor, comedian born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey. He is best known for A Gentleman, Midnight Delight, Life! Camera Action... earning him accolades.
Rohit Kalia is an Indian Australian actor, model and voiceover artist who appears in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu language films and television serials. He is also the winner of first ever Mr India Australia title held in Sydney, Australia in 2014. Rohit was selected as a Body Fit Model for Big W clothing brand at Sydney in June 2018. He has also done Opal card web commercials for Transport for NSW at Sydney in August 2019.
Iñigo Dominic Lazaro Pascual is a Filipino actor, singer and songwriter. He is popularly known for his 2016 hit single, "Dahil Sa'yo", the first number one song on Billboard Philippines' then-new Philippine Top 20 chart which also won "Song of the Year" at the 30th Awit Awards, the Philippine version of the Grammys. He is the son of actor Piolo Pascual.
UE Student Edrew Cardano to Represent the Country at World Music Fest [1]