Film: “Prinsesa”

“PRINSESA” – 12 minutes – USA

A father is conflicted over the gender-identity questions of his young son. Inspired by the Singkil dance of the Philippines.

 “A captivating look at love and acceptance”  – Ray Kouguell, VOICE OF AMERICA

A fantastic film! Audiences will love it!” – Kolmel Withlove, Programmer, FRAMELINE 38

OUTLINE:

Filipino-American father “Rey” is home watching sports and drinking beer with his pals, when a moderate earthquake rattles the house and plunges them all into darkness. There is chaos in the darkness. And Rey’s young boy and girl run to him for comfort.  Rey’s pals are bored and need attention too.

Attempting to appease both, Rey brings up a childhood tale from the Philippines: the Singkil folk tale about a princess dancing through an earthquake.

Reality turns to fantasy, as the children envision themselves in the dance: set in a magical forest of thundering drums and gongs, evil sprites and a “damsel in distress.” But it soon becomes apparent that the little boy would much rather play the role of the princess than the warrior prince.

Rey’s pals immediately confront him to “straighten out” his boy and make him act “like a man.”  But Rey wonders does his boy really want to be a girl? And what does that really mean?

WRITTEN BY:

Drew Stephens Conrad Panganiban Emmanuel Romero

NEWS ARTICLES

7 Awards & More than 50 screenings in 14 countries…

…not bad for an all-volunteer-made short film!

 
2018-09-08USASan FranciscoBernal Heights Outdoor Cinema
2018-01-27USASan FranciscoDignitySF 45th AnniversaryLGBT Catholics & Allies
2017-01-01CanadaVancouverOut In Schools Traveling showcase for students
2016-11-09USASan JosePFLAG EventParents & Friends of Lesbians and Gays
2016-11-09GermanyBerlinAsia Film Berlin
2016-06-04USASeattleDiwa Filipino Film Showcase
2015-12-13UkraineKievKiev Queerfest
2015-09-16IndonesiaJakartaQ Film Festival
2015-08-15PhilippinesCebuCebu Intl Film Festival
2015-08-14USANorth CarolinaNorth Carolina Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
2015-06-11SpainValenciaValencia Film Festival
2015-05-30MexicoMexico CityMix Mexico Film Fest
2015-05-07FranceParisParis Short Film Festival
2015-03-13AustraliaMelbourneMelbourne Queer Film Festival
2015-01-15SpainBilbaoZinegoak Gay & Lesbian Film Fest
2014-11-22CambodiaPhnom PenhSpecial ScreeningDubbed into Khmer language for nationwide tour
2014-11-16MyanmarYangonYangon LGBT Film FestivalPremiere event
2014-11-16USAColumbus, OhioColumbus Intl Film + Video Festival
2014-11-09USASan DiegoSan Diego Asian Film Fest
2014-11-07USAFt LauderdaleFort Lauderdale Intl Film Fest
2014-10-22USAOrlando FloridaOrlando Film Festival
2014-10-11IndonesiaYogyakartaSpecial Screeningwith Princess Ayu Bulantrisna Djelantik of Bali!
2014-10-04USATampa FloridaTampa Intl Gay & Lesbian Film Festwith John Waters!
2014-10-04USAMaui HawaiiMaui Pride Film Festival
2014-09-19USAPalm SpringsPalm Springs Gay & Lesbian Film Fest{FESTIVAL FAVORITE}
2014-09-18CanadaVancouverVancouver Queer Film Festival
2014-09-04CanadaTorontoToronto Independent Film Festival
2014-07-22MexicoMexico CityMexico Intl Film Festival{SILVER PALM AWARD}
2014-06-23SpainBarcelonaBarcelona Intl Film Festival{CASTELL AWARD}
2014-06-19USASan FranciscoFrameline 38
2014-05-23IndiaMumbai KASHISH International Queer Film FestivalIntl Premiere
2014-05-22USAHawaiiBig Island Film Festival
2014-03-01USASan FranciscoScary Cow Showcase{BEST FILM} {WRITING} {VISUAL FX} {ART DIRECTION} {MEMBER'S AWARD}