KHAVN De La Cruz is a very outspoken, experimental film maker with an unstoppable desire to explore and cross boundaries. Considered as the father of Philippine digital filmmaking, he is the most productive film maker in the Philippines and probably also far beyond. He has made twenty-three features and more than seventy short films, most of which have received prizes, given retrospectives, and presented in international film festivals. He has served as a jury member in the Clermont-Ferrand (France), Copenhagen (Denmark), Jeonju (Korea), Jihlava (Czech Republic), & Berlinale (Germany) film festivals. He is the president of the independent film company Filmless Films and the festival director of .MOV, the first digital film festival in the Philippines.
 

Khavn has won for his poetry and fiction in the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards, where he has also served in the jury. He has been selected twice in the University of the Philippines National Writers Workshop as a Writing Fellow. Khavn has received the Dean’s Award for Literature from his alma mater, the Ateneo De Manila University, where he also has lectured. His books of poetry and fiction are published by the University of Santo Tomas Publishing and the University of the Philippines Press, among them is “Ultraviolins”, the first postmodern book of stories in Filipino.

Khavn is an acclaimed composer, songwriter, singer & pianist who has performed all over the world and has made several albums, including soundtracks for internationally-renowned films. He has written & composed several rock operas staged at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Tanghalang Ateneo. Khavn garnered awards in the Yamaha Electone Festival and has also received citations from the Metropop Song Festival, the Ateneo Songwriting Fest, and the John Lennon Songwriting Contest (New Jersey). He is the bandleader of The Brockas and has also been part of the jury of the Awit Awards.
 

Khavn owned and managed Oracafe, a cultural hub for Philippine writers, musicians, filmmakers, and other artists in the late 90s. 

 

“Enfant terrible of Philippine Cinema.”

Giovanni Spagnoletti, Festival Director, Pesaro International Film Festival (Italy)

 

“Che Guevarra of the Digital Revolution.”

Jose Victor Marin, Festival Director, La Palma International Digital Film Festival (Spain)

“A real discovery. The Lars von Trier of the Philippines.”

Julien Fonfrede, Montreal Festival Of New Cinema (Canada)

“The new Takashi Miike. The Philippine counterpart of Peter Baiestorf.”

Marcelo Carrard, Film Critic, Mondo Paura (Sao Paulo)

“The wild, funny, subversive no-budget videos of the Philippine punk rebel Khavn is a discovery in the emphasis to the cinema of Southeast Asia.”

Christoph Huber, Film Critic, Die Presse (Vienna)

“Khavn earns a place of his own in the international foreign legion of experimental extremists and cult film makers such as the Japanese Takashi Miike, the German Jörg Buttgereit and South African Aryan Kaganof/Ian Kerkhof.” 

Gertjan Zuilhof, Programmer, Rotterdam International Film Festival (The Netherlands)

“Filipino Renaissance man Khavn is one of underground digital cinema’s best-kept secrets. Khavn — Rotterdam International Film Festival’s coolest revelation — might look like a prankster punk, but in the end he’s also an ass- kicking rebel priest.”

Olaf Moeller, European Editor, Film Comment (Germany/New York)

“For a few years now, Philippines had its own answer to the Dogma manifesto. It was called Filmless Films. Its leader is Khavn. He has been tireless in organising events, screening showcases and festivals to promote Filipino digital cinema. Filipino digital cinema has come of age.”

Philip Cheah, Festival Director, Singapore International Film Festival (Singapore)

“The most prominent member of Philippine independent cinema is Khavn, the radical warrior in the field of film language. Like John Cage the famous musician, this experimental director also pushes the artist’s tools to the edge of physical sustainability: Film as an instrument of formal and mental destruction.”

Marek Hovorka, Festival Director, Jihlava International Documentary Film Festival (Czech Republic)

 

1. THE MIDDLE MYSTERY OF KRISTO NEGRO aka DAY TINGGA TI MISTERYO TI KRISTO NEGRO aka ANG GITNANG MISTERYO NG KRISTO NEGRO

Rotterdam IFF (Netherlands), 2009

2. MAYNILA SA MGA PANGIL NG DILIM aka MANILA IN THE FANGS OF DARKNESS

Viennale (Austria), 2008. Buenos Aires / BAFICI (Argentina), 2009. Jeonju IDFF (Korea), 2009.

3. THREE DAYS OF DARKNESS aka TATLONG ARAW NG KADILIMAN

Paris Cinema IFF (France), 2008; Berlin Porn FF (Germany), 2008; Rotterdam IFF (Netherlands), 2009.

4. THE MUZZLED HORSE OF AN ENGINEER IN SEARCH OF MECHANICAL SADDLES

Berlinale Forum (Germany), 2008; Motovun IFF, 2008; Sarajevo IFF, 2008

5. PHILIPPINE BLISS

Rotterdam IFF (Netherlands), 2008; Munich Underdox (Germany), 2008.

6. SQUATTERPUNK aka ISKWATERPANGK

Las Palmas IFF (Spain), 2008; Berlin Asian Hotshots FF (Germany), 2008; Viennale IFF (Austria), 2007; La Palma Digital IFF (Spain), 2007; Saarbrucken Cinema Days (Germany), 2008; Rotterdam IFF (Netherlands), 2007; Singapore IFF (Singapore), 2007; Indie Lisboa IFF (Portugal), 2007; Brisbane IFF (Australia), 2007; Grand Jury Prize, Cinemanila IFF (Philippines), 2006; Cinemalaya FF (Philippines), 2007; Opening Film, Sonatrope (Hong Kong), 2007; Ljubljana IFF (Slovenia), 2007; National Film & Sound Archive, Canberra (Australia), 2007; Euganea Movie Movement FF (Italy), 2007;  Hamburg Documentary FF (Germany), 2007; Jogja-NETPAC Asian FF (Indonesia), 2007; Underdox FF, Munich (Germany), 2007; Amsterdam Film Experience (Netherlands), 2007; Leipzig Documentary & Animation IFF (Germany), 2007; Austin Asian FF, Texas (USA), 2007; Chicago Filipino American FF (USA), 2007

7. ULTIMO: DIFFERENT WAYS OF KILLING A NATIONAL HERO aka ULTIMO: DISTINTAS MANERAS A MATAR UN HEROE NACIONAL

Torino IFF (Italy), 2007; Cinemanila IFF (Philippines); La Palma Digital IFF (Spain)

8. THE FAMILY THAT EATS SOIL aka ANG PAMILYANG KUMAKAIN NG LUPA)

One of the ten best films of 2005, Jit Phokaew, Senses Of Cinema World Poll; Santiago IFF (Chile); 29th Sao Paulo International Film Festival (Brazil), 2005; 34th Montreal International Festival of New Cinema (Canada), 2005; 41st Pesaro International Film Festival (Italy), 2005; 4th La Palma International Digital Film Festival (Spain), 2005; 28th Goteborg International Film Festival (Sweden), 2005; 34th Rotterdam International Film Festival (Netherlands), 2005; Hubert Bals Fund, Spring Selection Round, 2004

9. PUGOT aka HEADLESS

20th Fribourg International Film Festival (Switzerland), 2006; 41st Pesaro International Film Festival (Italy), 2005; Lovebytes, Sheffield (UK), 2005; 17th Singapore International Film Festival (Singapore), 2004; 6th Cinemanila International Film Festival (Philippines), 2004; New York Filipino Film Festival (USA), 2003

10. “IDOL”: HERO/VILLAIN aka “IDOL”: BIDA/KONTRABIDA

41st Pesaro International Film Festival, 2005; 4th La Palma International Digital Film Festival, 2005; One of the ten best films of 2005, Paolo Bertolin, Senses Of Cinema World Poll

11. VAMPIRE OF QUEZON CITY aka ASWANG NG QC

Split IFF (Croatia); Athens Porn FF (Greece); Berlin Porn FF (Germany)

12. BAHAG KINGS aka G-STRING KINGS

Jihlava Documentary IFF (Czech Republic),  2006; Rotterdam IFF (Netherlands), 2006

13. GOODBYE MY SHOOTING STAR aka PAALAM AKING BULALAKAW

Pesaro IFF (Italy), 2006; La Palma Digital IFF (Spain), 2006

14. THE TWELVE aka ANG LABINDALAWA

Gawad-CCP, Best Feature, 14th Philippine Independent Film Festival, 2001

15. KAMIAS: MEMORY OF FORGETTING aka KAMIAS: ALAALA NG PAGLIMOT

Jihlava IDFF (Czech Republic), 2006

16. GREASEMAN

17. BURYONG

18. KRISTO

19. THE PROFANE AND SENSELESS PASSION OF HESUS CORAZON WHO, BY THE DISGRACE OF GOD, FREEZES THE HEART OF THE LOVED ONE aka WALANG-SAYSAY NA PASYONG MURA NI HESUS CORAZON, DYUS KONG SUKAT IPANLAMIG NG PUSO NG SINUMANG INIBIG

20. THE LONGEST MOMENT YOU’RE NOT HERE

21. OVERDOSED NIGHTMARE aka BANGUNGOT NA BANGAG

22. THREE DAYS OF DARKNESS ZERO

23. HINDI KITA KILALA aka I DON’T KNOW YOU

 

1. CAN & SLIPPERS aka LATA AT TSINELAS

Opening Ceremony, 28th Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, 2006; Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival, 2006; 3rd Akbank Shortfilm Festival, Istanbul, 2006; Kun.Kortfilm International Short Film Festival, Denmark; Off-Courts; 7a Lucania Film Festival; Ecovision Palermo; Artistic and Cultural Programme, FIFA World Cup, Germany, 2006; 10th International Tehran Short Film Festival, Iran, 2005; 14th Damascus International Film Festival, Syria, 2005; 29th Sao Paulo International Film Festival, Brazil, 2005; International Competition, 13th Vila Do Conde International Short Film Festival, 2005; Spazio Immagini Competition, 7th Morbegno International Film Festival, 2005; 4th La Palma International Digital Film Festival, 2005; 2nd Berlin Asia-Pacific Film Festival, 2005; 41st Pesaro International Film Festival, 2005; 18th Singapore International Film Festival, 2005; Shoot Goals! Shoot Movies! Football Short Film Competition; 55th Berlin International Film Festival, Germany, 2005; Kids Only, 34th Rotterdam International Film Festival, 2005; Tiger Cub Competition, 34th Rotterdam International Film Festival, 2005

2. RUGBY BOYZ.

Special Mention Jury Prize, Oberhausen International Short Film Festival, 2006; Best Documentary, Curtacinema, 16th Rio De Janeiro International Short Film Festival, Brazil, 2006; Special Mention Documentary Prize, Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival, Canada, 2006; Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, 2008; Jihlava International Documentary Film Festival, Czech Republic, 2006; 7th Lucania Film Festival, Italy, 2006; 13th L’Alternativa Barcelona Independent Film Festival., 2006; Amsterdam Film Experience, The Netherlands, 2006; Hamburg International Short Film Festival, 2006; Shoot Me Film Festival, The Hague, The Netherlands, 2006; Sao Paulo International Short Film Festival, Brazil, 2006; Vila Do Conde International Short Film Festival, 2006; Busan Asian Short Film Festival, 2006; Politically Incorrect Film Festival, Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2006; 35th Rotterdam International Film Festival, 2006

3. INSTITUTE OF POETS aka INSTITUSYON NG MAKATA aka MONDOMANILA

One of the ten best films of 2005, Jorge Didaco, Senses Of Cinema World Poll; 29th Sao Paulo International Film Festival, Brazil, 2005; 2nd Izola International Film Festival, 2005; 18th Singapore International Film Festival, 2005; 41st Pesaro International Film Festival, 2005; 34th Rotterdam International Film Festival, 2005; 4th La Palma International Digital Film Festival, 2005; 6th Jakarta International Film Festival, 2004; 6th Cinemanila International Film Festival, 2004

4. AMEN, A BROWN COMEDY.

10th Thai Short Film & Video Festival; Jakarta International Film Festival; Substation, Singapore; Asia-Pacific Documentary Film Festival, Australia, 2006; 29th Sao Paulo International Film Festival, Brazil, 2005; 4th La Palma International Digital Film Festival, 2005; 34th Rotterdam International Film Festival, 2005; Short Feature Film Award, 12th Philippine Independent Film Festival, 1999; Young Filmmakers Grant, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, 1998

5. SMALL ALI.

Objectifs Distribution; Euganea Movie Movement International Short & Documentary Film Festival, 2006 & 2007; Las Palmas International Film Festival, 2006; 29th Sao Paulo International Film Festival, Brazil, 2005; 28th Goteborg International Film Festival, 2005; 34th Rotterdam International Film Festival, 2005; 41st Pesaro International Film Festival, 2005; 4th La Palma International Digital Film Festival, 2005; 2nd Berlin Asia-Pacific Film Festival, 2005

6. GREASEMAN

Asia-Pacific Documentary Film Festival, Australia, 2006; 10th International Tehran Short Film Festival, Iran, 2005; 29th Sao Paulo International Film Festival, Brazil, 2005; 34th Rotterdam International Film Festival, 2005; Excellence Award, 26th Tokyo Video Festival, 2004; 4th La Palma International Digital Film Festival, 2005; Grand Prize, 15th Philippine Independent Film Festival, 2002

7. OUR DAILY BREAD.

Kun.Kortfilm International Short Film Festival, Denmark, 2007; 24nd Festival Tous Courts, Aix-en-Provence, France; 7a Lucania Film Festival; Pesaro; Brooklyn; 35th Rotterdam International Film Festival, 2006 

8. BARONG BROTHERS.

29th Sao Paulo International Film Festival, Brazil, 2005; 34th Rotterdam International Film Festival, 2005; 5th Izmir Short Film Festival, 2004; 4th La Palma International Digital Film Festival, 2005; Around The World In 50 Minutes, 7th Morbegno International Film Festival, 2005; Experimental Video Award, 17th Philippine Independent Film Festival, 2004

9. PUGOT aka HEADLESS

29th Sao Paulo International Film Festival, Brazil, 2005; 4th La Palma International Digital Film Festival, 2005; 2nd Izola International Film Festival, 2005; 34th Rotterdam International Film Festival, 2005

10. I’M NOT BATMAN aka HINDI AKO SI BATMAN

Asia-Pacific Documentary Film Festival, Australia, 2006; 41st Pesaro International Film Festival, 2005; Urban Nomad Taipei, 2007

11. JOHN CAGE aka TUNGKOL SA WALA

Jihlava; 41st Pesaro International Film Festival, 2005

12. FIVE SHORTS.

41st Pesaro International Film Festival, 2005; Honorable Mention, 12th Philippine Independent Film Festival, 1999

13. ULTIMO aka BRAVO

Oberhausen ISFF

14. MEMORY OF DAWN  aka ALAALA NG MADALING-ARAW

Bronze Award, Tokyo Video Festival

15. THE ELECTRIC COMPANY’S GONNA GET OUR BACKYARD aka KUKUNIN NA NG MERALCO ANG LIKOD NAMIN

Honorable Mention, Gawad-CCP

16. BLOOD STEW aka DINUGUAN

Berlin Porn Film Festival

17. OLDEASTSIDE aka MATANDANG EASTSIDE

AFI Fest (USA), 2007. Rotterdam IFF, 2007

18. AN OPEN LETTER TO ALL THE TERRORISTS OF THE WORLD

Rotterdam IFF (2006)

19. BY THE SUEZ CANAL

Rotterdam IFF

20. TWO SUPERHEROES TAKING A CRAP, A TOILET MUSICAL 

Rotterdam IFF

21. TO ALL THE SUPERGIRLS I’VE LOVED BEFORE 

Rotterdam IFF

22. THE SUPERMAN WHO COULDN’T FLY 

Rotterdam IFF

23. SUPERMAN IN LOVE 

Rotterdam IFF

24. AQUABOY 

Rotterdam IFF

25. PORNOMAN 

Rotterdam IFF

26. WAITING FOR A SUPERHERO 

Rotterdam IFF

27. SUPERHERO IN BED 

Rotterdam IFF

28. TOXIC MANGO aka THE INCREDIBLY HEART-RENDING AND FANTASTICALLY FORBIDDEN LEGEND OF THE TOXIC MANGO THAT BESTOWS A MULTITUDE OF LESSONS TO ALL BRAVE CITIZENS OF THE NEW PLANET ALIBUHOD

Urban Nomad Taipei, 2007. Euganea Movie Movement International Short & Documentary Film Festival, 2007.

29. THE LAST GAG OF BUSTER QUIZON aka NOTHING FUNNIER THAN UNHAPPINESS

Urban Nomad Taipei, 2007. Nokia “What’s Your Story”.

30. WHITE ROCK ISLAND aka SQUATTERPUNK aka ISLA PUTING BATO

Urban Nomad Taipei, 2007. Euganea Movie Movement International Short & Documentary Film Festival, 2007.

31. DEAD WOMAN IN MY HOUSE aka PATAY NA BABAE SA LOOB NG BAHAY

Urban Nomad Taipei, 2007.

32. LITERATURE

Osian’s Cinefan, India, 2008. Berlin Asian Hotshots, Germany, 2009.

33. BLACKWORMS

Oberhausen ISFF, Germany, 2009.

34. LAST SUPERHERO 

35. DOPPELGANGER 

36. LOVE IS BRAVE 

37. VICTIM 21

38. BASS

39. THIRD DAY OF DARKNESS

40. THE BAG IS CLOSED BUT THE HEART IS OPEN

41. DEHADO

42. SOFT NIGHT

43. BULALAKAW aka SHOOTING STAR

44. THE RAPE AND MURDER OF VIRGINIO AND VIRGINIA P. aka LUPA

45. BAHAG KINGS

46. AT LAST aka SA WAKAS

47. 1. THE PASSENGER aka MOVING ALONG

48. I’VE FORGOTTEN aka NAKALIMUTAN KO NA

49. MR. DUCK EGG TRILOGY

50. SOMETIME IN AUGUST

51. BERTDEY aka BIRTHDAY

52. AKONG, ANG DUWENDENG HINDI aka AKONG, THE DWARF THAT IS NOT

53. BARBEQUE

54. DOG DAY AFTERNOON

55. PIGS aka BABOY

56. KAMATAYAN NG PRESIDENTE aka DEATH OF THE PRESIDENT

57. PAGTINGIN SA SALAMIN aka LOOKING AT THE MIRROR

58. SORRY LEDH

59. MAY ISANG SUNDALO ala THERE’S A SOLDIER

60. DEAF WISH

61. KIDS

62. WHAT’S THE STORY? MORNING GLORY

63. MY ROOM

64. 1/4 DAY IN A LIFE

65. SUSUNDUIN KO SI LEDH SA SIMBAHAN aka I’M GONNA FETCH LEDH FROM CHURCH

66. YOUNG WRITERS INTERVIEW

67. MALAY SIYA, MALI SIYA aka HE’S AWARE, HE’S WRONG

68. ZOMBIE MARIACHI LOVES PRINCESS EGG-NOG

69. COFFEE TODAY IS BETTER THAN YESTERDAY

70. THE PUSHCART FAMILY aka PAMILYA KARITON

71. NAMAMASKO PO aka CHRISTMAS ALMS

72. KONTRA MADIAGA

73. THE DROWNING SEA aka ANG DAGAT NA NALULUNOD