DocCross Asia Webinar

“Sunday Beauty Queen" is a documentary by a filmmaker from the Philippines that grew from a one-line proposal to distribution by Netflix. In 2016, it both premiered at the 2016 Busan International Film Festival and became the first documentary to win the Best Picture Award at the Metro Manila Film Festival, establishing its place in the history of documentary films in the Philippines. The film has since been screened at universities, micro-theaters, and small gatherings organized by NGOs and civic groups. It has earned wide acclaim for expanding our understanding of Filipino women working abroad.

The film is based on a 26-minute version of "Sunday Cinderella," an international co-production with a Japanese producer. This webinar, moderated by Sahel Rosa, will examine the film from the standpoint of international co-production and social impact, and discuss the power of documentaries in the age of multiculturalism.

Notice

Before the webinar, we ask that participants watch "Sunday Cinderella" (26 min.) on the DocCross Asia website:
https://doccrossasia.jfac.jp/selection/120

"Sunday Cinderella" Synopsis
Hong Kong is home to 190,000 Filipino domestic helpers. On Sundays, they congregate in a square and reminisce about their families back home. A beauty contest like no other is held each June where they dress up in their finest clothes in the hopes of winning the crown. But what really lies in the hearts of these Filipino helpers? The film uses colorful images to portray the OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers), whose plight has become a major social issue in the Philippines.

〈Part 1〉Lecture

"Documentaries and Social Impact: A Case Study from the Philippines”

• Duration:
  Approx. 40 minutes (+15 min. for Q&A)
• Speaker:
  Baby Ruth Villarama (Documentary Director)
• Moderator:
  Sahel Rosa (Actor, International NGO Goodwill Ambassador)
• Theme:
  The documentary film "Sunday Beauty Queen" became a runaway hit after a series of local screenings in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Malaysia and other countries. Behind the film’s success is "Impact Distribution" (*1), a highly successful film-development strategy that aims to achieve both social change and box office success. How did Villarama apply this concept to her own work and how did it change people’s perceptions? What was its social impact? Villarama will talk about the power of documentary against the backdrop of coexisting cultures and values.

(*1) Impact Distribution is a strategy for developing films that aims to simultaneously achieve box office success (distribution) and address social issues (impact). It is already in use in the U.S., Australia, the Netherlands, Norway, and other countries, and new marketing companies and distributors specializing in impact distribution are using it to produce hit films.

Baby Ruth Villarama (Director, "Sunday Cinderella" and "Sunday Beauty Queen")
Villarama holds a master’s degree in Film Distribution and Marketing from Birmingham City University in the UK. After working for ABS-CBN, National Geographic Channel and CNN Philippines, she made her directorial debut in 2007 with "Little Fame," followed in 2016 by "Sunday Beauty Queen," which examines the life of Filipino women working in Hong Kong. In 2018, she was awarded the Global Alumni Social Impact Award in the U.K. for influencing global conversation and policy change concerning migration. "Sunday Beauty Queen" is available on Netflix Philippines.

Sahel Rosa (Actor, International NGO Goodwill Ambassador)
Born in 1985 in Iran. She lived in an orphanage as a child, was adopted at age 7, and came to Japan with her adoptive mother when she was 8. An actor, she is also a goodwill ambassador for Human Rights Watch, an international human rights NGO, and is involved in social issues that include promoting international adoption. In 2020, the documentary "Sahel's Journey" was aired after 7 years in production. This experience inspired Sahel to explore a new path as a filmmaker.

〈Part 2〉Panel discussion

"New Perspectives as the Basis of Multiculturalism: From the Frontlines of International Co-production”

• Duration:
  Approx. 30 minutes (15 min. for Q&A)
• Speakers:
  Baby Ruth Villarama (Documentary Director)
  MAKI Tetsuo (Director at Documentary Japan Inc.; Co-producer of "Sunday Cinderella")
  IMAMURA Ken-ichi (Executive Producer, NHK Enterprises; Advisor, Tokyo Docs)
• Moderator:
  Sahel Rosa (Actor, International NGO Goodwill Ambassador)
• Theme:
  "Sunday Beauty Queen" is based on the film "Sunday Cinderella", an international co-production with Japan (currently available on DocCross Asia Selection). How did the director’s perspectives intersect with those of the Japanese co-producer and how did that affect the film? With the participation of a producer who has extensive experience in international projects involving Japan and other Asian countries, we will share ideas about the challenges and excitement of international co-production and discuss its role in deepening our understanding of our multi-faceted world.

MAKI Tetsuo (Director at Documentary Japan Inc., Co-producer of "Sunday Cinderella")
Co-founded the production company "Documentary Japan" in 1981 and served as President for 10 years. In 1991, he won the Grand Prix of All Japan Television Program Producers Association (ATP). As an Executive Board Member of ATP, he works to promote the international development of content and international co-production. In 2015, he served as a co-producer of "Sunday Cinderella."

IMAMURA Ken-ichi (Executive Producer, NHK Enterprises Inc., Advisor, Tokyo Docs)
Imamura joined NHK in 1983. He was the commissioning editor of the World Documentary program from 2009 until 2012. Since 2012, he has worked with NHK Enterprises and is in charge of co-production, pre-buy and commissioning of TV programs, mainly documentaries. In 2011, he was one of the founders of Tokyo Docs, the sole international documentary event in Japan to hold pitching sessions.

About DocCross Asia
DocCross Asia is an international exchange project in which broadcasters in Japan and filmmakers in Southeast Asia collaborate to produce documentaries on the theme of multiculturalism in Japan. Documentaries produced in the past by Japanese broadcasters and filmmakers in Southeast Asia are now available with subtitles on the official DocCross Asia website:
https://doccrossasia.jfac.jp/