Blanka
Director(s): Kohki Hasei
Country: Philippines
Language: Tagalog (w/English subtitles)
Live Action | 2015 | 75 min
Recommended for ages 10+ (Parental Guidance: intense emotions, bullying, kidnapping)
Country: Philippines
Language: Tagalog (w/English subtitles)
Live Action | 2015 | 75 min
Recommended for ages 10+ (Parental Guidance: intense emotions, bullying, kidnapping)
East Coast Premiere
Abandoned on the streets of Manila, 11-year-old Blanka has an eye for an unguarded purse and a level of bravery born of desperate circumstances. Despondently, she witnesses children tenderly hugged by their mothers and it inspires her to a plan of action: steal enough to buy a loving mother! Drawn to the guitar melodies of Peter, a 55-year-old blind man singing on the streets for tips, Blanka fortunately changes her “savings” plan from stealing to singing. A true friend to rely upon is all this fiercely resilient girl needs to keep hope.
Awards
Laterna Magica (CGS) Award 2015, “Sorriso diverso Venezia 2015“ for Best Film in a Foreign Language, Venice International Film FestivalNETPAC Award 2015, Kolkata (India) International Film Festival
Human Values Award 2015, Olympia (Greece) International Film Festival for Children and Young People
Audience Award 2016, Fribourg (Switzerland) International Film Festival
Grand Prix, Special Mention for the Professional Award 2016, Ciné-Jeune (France) International Film Festival
First Prize of the International Competition 2016, Tel Aviv International Children‘s Film Festival
Best Film 2016, Santander (Colombia) International Film Festival
Best Children‘s Feature Film 2016, Rimouski (Quebec) International Youth Cinema Festival
Best Children‘s Film 2016, Cinekid Festival (Netherlands)