Private Project

Star (Tokwifi)

A 1950s showbiz star, trapped inside a television set, crashes down to earth. A frightened but probing indigenous farmer saves her. Deep into the night, the two try their best to engage each other. But glitches, language differences, and the offensive political incorrectness of 1950s TV all get in the way.

  • Carla Pulido Ocampo
    Director
  • Carla Pulido Ocampo
    Writer
  • Lester Valle
    Producer
  • Armi Rae Cacanindin
    Producer
  • Eduardo Lejano, Jr.
    Producer
  • Manet Dayrit
    Producer
  • Joni Pulido-Ferrier
    Producer
  • Adrienne Vergara
    Key Cast
    "Laura Blancaflor"
  • Kurt "Ayeo-eo" Lumbag Alalag
    Key Cast
    "Limmayug"
  • Rocky Acofo Cajigan
    Production Designer
  • Kim Perez
    Wardrobe
  • Willie Apa, Jr.
    Sound
  • Lester Valle
    Cinematographer
  • Rocky Acofo Cajigan
    Script Consultant
  • Beau Killip Macliing
    Script Consultant
  • Kay-an Khawaen
    Script Consultant
  • Maryjane Alejo
    Music
  • Jason Canoy
    Music
  • Mebuyan
    Music
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Tokwifi
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Fantasy, Folk Sci-Fi, Magic Realism
  • Runtime:
    20 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    October 14, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Philippines
  • Country of Filming:
    Philippines
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • QCinema International Film Festival
    Quezon City
    Philippines
    October 14, 2019
    World Premiere
    Special Jury Prize
  • Ngilngig Asian Fantastic Film Festival
    Davao City
    Philippines
    October 25, 2019
    Opening Film
  • Salamindanaw Asian Film Festival
    General Santos City
    Philippines
    December 2, 2019
    Official Selection, Asian Competition Section
  • Cinema Rehiyon
    Naga City, Camarines Sur
    Philippines
    February 27, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival
    Manila
    Philippines
    August 7, 2020
    Official Selection (In Competition) - NETPAC Jury Prize, Best Film
  • Bangkok ASEAN Film Festival
    Bangkok
    Thailand
    September 3, 2020
    International Premiere
    Official Selection (In Competition)
  • Minikino - Bali (S-Express Philippines)
    Bali
    Indonesia
    September 4, 2020
    Indonesian Premiere
    Special Selection for S-Express Program
  • SEAShorts Film Festival
    Kuala Lumpur
    Malaysia
    September 13, 2020
    Malaysian Premiere
    Official Selection (In Competition)
  • Pelicula Spanish Film Festival - En Linea (Online)
    Manila
    Philippines
    October 14, 2020
    Special Selection
  • Wathann Film Festival (S-Express Philippines)
    Yangon
    Myanmar
    October 10, 2020
    Special Selection
  • Binisaya Film Festival
    Cebu City
    Philippines
    October 16, 2020
    Best Short Film - Horizons Section (Films from the Philippines and Southeast Asia)
  • Pelikultura Film Festival
    Los Baños City
    Philippines
    October 19, 2020
    Special Selection
  • Maginhawa Film Festival
    Quezon City
    Philippines
    November 11, 2020
    Official Selection - Best Short Film, Best Direction, Best Screenplay
  • Gawad Urian Awards 2020
    Quezon City
    Philippines
    Best Short Film
  • FAMAS (Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences) Awards 2020
    Manila
    Philippines
    Best Short Film
  • FIXION Fest, Fantastic & Horror Film Festival
    Santiago
    Chile
    February 12, 2021
    South American Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Carla Pulido Ocampo

Carla Pulido Ocampo is a filmmaker and cultural worker. She is co-founder of associations that are purveyors of alternative cinema culture in the Philippine North: Habi Collective Media, and Pelicula Union.

Currently, she is best known for her filmography centering on the history, culture and lore of Northern Philippines. She is writer, researcher, and editor for the seminal documentary Walang Rape sa Bontok (international title: Bontok, Rapeless), and is the editor, writer and director of the short film Tokwifi (translated title: Star) which enjoyed consistent critical acclaim in the Philippines and abroad.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Tokwifi (Star) is a short film that explores the what-ifs of differing love languages. But more than that, it is also a parable reflecting two significant issues in Philippine media: 1.) how women characters are "boxed" within men-dependent stereotypes throughout the history of local television; and 2.) how famous Philippine personalities — labeling our indigenous mountain people as "primitive", "uncivilized" or perennially unkempt — has time and again broken the indigenous heart.