ANGELES CITY -- The SM City Clark on Friday hosted the Brillante Mendoza Film Festival, an event which featured the world-renowned Director Brillante Mendoza’s critically acclaimed indie film “Ma’ Rosa.”

Now on its 8th year, the film festival aims to bring together students from various schools and universities, as well as aspiring filmmakers and actors to have a rare opportunity to meet no less than the man himself, as he gives an in-depth view of his celebrated works which illuminates and tackles the country’s social issues.

Among Mendoza’s recent feat is Ma’ Rosa which follows the story of Ma’ Rosa (Jaclyn Jose), who owns a small convenience store where she resells illegal narcotics along with her husband Jose (Julio Diaz), to augment the needs of their four children.

The film reaped the Best Actress Award during the 2016 Cannes Film Festival and a nomination in Palme d’Or including the Best Director award during the 54th Gijon International Film Festival in Spain.

During the event’s official launch and press conference held Friday, Mendoza noted that he is humbled and honored to share with his fellow Kapampangans one of his best masterpieces to date.

“I am always glad to be here in Pampanga, which is actually my hometown. I was born and raised in San Fernando, and everytime I visit the province, I feel great pride and joy to connect with my kabalens, especially the youth,” he said.

SM Supermalls Assistant Vice President for Operations (North Luzon IV) Engr. Junias Eusebio, for his part, relayed that in behalf of the whole SM management, they are privileged to host the said film festival.

“We are deeply honored here at SM City Clark to be one of the chosen venues of the Brillante Mendoza Film Festival nationwide. Direk Brillante’s very interesting piece of drama Ma’ Rosa truly encourages awareness, appreciation, and understanding of the independent film industry and fulfills the promise of cinema to enable fruitful discussions and give meaningful insights,” he remarked.

Aside from previewing a trailer of the award-winning film, mallgoers, students, local government unit heads, SM executives, and members of the media were also shown a peek of Mendoza’s upcoming movies including Alpha (The Right to Kill) and Maguindanaw, which depicts the life of a beleaguered wife and her soldier husband during the Marawi conflict.