SPECIAL GUEST DIRECTOR -bRILLIANTE MENDOZA

Brillante Mendoza is a
visionary filmmaker renowned
for his bold and provocative
storytelling style. Hailing
from the Philippines, Mendoza
has carved a distinctive
niche in world cinema with
his gritty realism and unflin-
ching exploration of social
issues. His works often delve
into the complexities of
Filipino society, shedding
light on marginalized commun-
ities and challenging conven-
tional narratives. With a
string of critically acclaimed
films to his name, including "Kinatay," which won the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival, Mendoza continues to push the boundaries of cinematic artistry while championing the voices of the underrepresented. His commitment to authenticity and social relevance has earned him international acclaim and solidified his reputation as one of the most influential filmmakers of his generation.