McJim films vie in 22 int’l fests
True to its enduring values of quality, style and elegance, McJim Classic Leather is unstoppable as it continues to gain international recognition for its troika of masterfully produced short films under its Get Reel online campaign, just over a year after its debut video, Pitaka, made waves in the Internet.
McJim’s Pitaka (The Wallet), Sinturon (Belt) and Bag have been selected to complete in a total of 22 prestigious film festivals — as of this writing — in the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, France, Australia, Mexico and Venezuela, a record-breaking feat for a commercial brand.
Pitaka, the first of the three short films, was recently chosen as finalist in the 2018 Wales International Film Festival and received nomination for an award on Oct. 4.
Chris Cahilig, director and executive producer of the three short films, said that the successive recognitions that the McJim viral videos have been getting abroad are proof that even branded shorts can be at par with the quality of commercially produced films.
Apart from the Wales International Film Fest, Pitaka was earlier selected to participate in international film festivals in Italy and the US, namely San Mauro Torinese International Film Festival 2018; Cefalu Film Festival in Palermo; Diwa Filipino Film Showcase of Seattle 2018; Culture of Life Director Chris Cahilig Film Festival 2018 in Memphis City; 2019 Dramatic Shorts Film Festival in Denver; and Los Angeles CineFest 2019.
Pitaka depicts fraternal love and the Filipino elders’ sense of responsibility as exemplified by Kuya, portrayed in the film by Karl Medina, who sets aside his personal dreams to provide for his younger brother, a character played by 1:43’s Art Artienda. Following in the wake of Pitaka is the quirkier and more daring Sinturon (The Belt), which tackles marital fidelity and features Mercedes Cabral and Kiko Matos. Sinturon made it to three international film fests, namely Nebrody Film Fest and Corti A Sud-Polla In Corto in Italy, and Love Shorts Film Festival 2019 in the US.
The LGBT-themed Bag, the last of the three short films, snagged 12 official selections for McJim in international film festivals for its honest portrayal of a gay- straight friendship. It follows the story of an openly gay young professional Paolo (Ross Pesigan), who, after a series of bad breakups, finds comfort and refuge in his straight best friend Carlo (Wayne Avellano).