Dexter Hemedez and Allan Michael Iba\u00f1ez\u2019s \u201c1st Sem\u201d has scored yet another trophy abroad. The CineFilipino movie was the recipient of the Culture Exchange Award at the 5th Seoul Guro International Kids Film Festival held in South Korea on May 30.<\/b>
\nDexter Hemedez and Allan Michael Iba\u00f1ez\u2019s \u201c1st Sem\u201d has scored yet another trophy abroad. The CineFilipino movie was the recipient of the Culture Exchange Award at the 5th Seoul Guro International Kids Film Festival held in South Korea on May 30.
The fest aims to \u201cshowcase the best of contemporary and classic films for children, youth and families.\u201d
Says Iba\u00f1ez: \u201cTo be part of this festival is already a great honor for us; winning is a big bonus.\u201d
\u201cIt was a memorable and wonderful trip, \u201d agrees Hemedez, who attended the fest with his codirector.
Walking on the red carpet during the awards ceremony felt like \u201ca dream, \u201d Hemedez quips. \u201cSome of the kids gave us a high-five. It was the most enjoyable part of the evening.\u201d
Jurors came from South Korea, Australia, United Arab Emirates, India, Japan, Hong Kong, Ukraine and the United States.
Iba\u00f1ez recalls that \u201c1st Sem\u201d had two screenings at the CGV Cinemas in Seoul.
Hemedez admits that he felt proud \u201cseeing the \u20181st Sem\u2019 poster displayed alongside those of Korean movies in the theaters.\u201d
Iba\u00f1ez relates: \u201cLots of teenagers, parents and kids joined us. South Korean parents approached us to tell us how much they loved the film. A high school student, who dreams of becoming a filmmaker, said he liked our film, which was the first Filipino movie he has ever seen.\u201d
\u201cThe teener interviewed Allan for almost an hour, \u201d Hemedez looks back. \u201cJuno Park, a young Korean short filmmaker, described our movie as humorous, heartwarming and inspiring.\u201d
Some Korea-based Filipinos caught the movie, as well. \u201cWe were comforted by their comment that our film had brought them back home, \u201d Iba\u00f1ez recounts.
According to the fest\u2019s website, entries were chosen \u201con the basis of quality and originality\u201d [telling stories that] assist in developing the role cinema plays in the education and enrichment of young people.\u201d
\u201c1st Sem\u201d previously won in India, Canada and the United States and was graded A by the Cinema Evaluation Board. It will have its Los Angeles premiere on Sept. 14 at The Art Theater in Long Beach, California.<\/p>\n

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