From Bacolod to Seattle
BACOLOD - The award-winning short film “Sa Pwesto ni Pistong” (The Barber’s Chair) continues its festival journey after being officially selected for screening at the Diwa Filipino Film Festival in Seattle this October. Directed by Vincent Joseph “VinJo” Entuna, the historical period piece will be featured in Shorts Program 5: The Struggle Continues, a lineup exploring themes of fundamental rights and human dignity. The film follows a humble barber working during a turbulent period as he serves clients from different social backgrounds, including a powerful hacendero and an idealistic young nephew.
An Award-Winning Negrense Film
The Seattle screening adds to the film’s growing list of achievements in the Philippine festival circuit. Entuna previously received Best Director honors in the Philippine Shorts category at the Margaha Film Festival in Sagay City, the Active Vista Human Rights Film Festival, and the PangaSine Film Festival. At the 2024 Bacolod Film Festival, the film also earned awards for Best Picture and Best Screenplay, further establishing its place among notable regional independent films.
Celebrating Filipino Independent Cinema
Founded in 2014, the Diwa Filipino Film Festival is a community-driven festival in Seattle that showcases independent films from the Philippines and the Filipino diaspora. Led by festival director, scholar, and filmmaker Adrian Alarilla, the festival provides a platform for filmmakers to preserve local narratives, explore cultural identity, and highlight marginalized voices. The inclusion of “Sa Pwesto ni Pistong” in this year's program gives the film another opportunity to share a distinctly Negrense story while contributing to the wider conversation surrounding Filipino cinema and cultural representation.
