04 May 2006- The Philippine Consulate General in Sydney reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the critically-acclaimed and multi-awarded Filipino film Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros) will be premiering in Australia as the centerpiece film in the international movie festival to be held on 12 and 13 May 2006 at one of Australia's primary cultural icon, the Sydney Opera House.

Philippine Consul General to Sydney Ma. Theresa Lazaro welcomed this opportunity to feature this Filipino film in “The Message Sticks Indigenous Film Festival” saying, "The exceptional achievement and international acclaim that Maximo Oliveros has again put the Philippines in the cultural spotlight and affirms the Filipino filmmakers' capability of producing world-class films that audiences throughout the world can relate to. The fact that this film will be shown at the Sydney Opera House attests to the distinguished status that it has received from the Australian organizers, a historic feat unto itself for a Filipino film. I welcome the showing of Maximo in Australia and invite everyone to see this movie and I hope that this enables more Filipino filmmakers to participate in Australian Film Festivals in the near future, which I think has been gaining increasing international renown."

Maximo (2005, 100 minutes) will lead this year's list of feature films of “The Message Sticks Indigenous Film Festival,” a three-day event showcasing the latest indigenous films from Australia and the world. “The Message Sticks Festival” is in its sixth year and organized by film-makers Rachel Perkins and Darren Dale. The Philippines is one of the seven countries participating in the Festival this year. Maximo's gala screening will be followed by an Artists' Talk with director Aureus Solito. Another public screening will be held the following day, free of charge.

The film is a story of a gay 12 year old who befriends a young policeman, thus undermining his devotion to his family of petty criminals. The film stars Nathan Lopez as Maximo and is directed by the renowned Filipino theatre artist-director, filmmaker and indigenous rights advocate Aureus Solito (Kanakan Balintagos).

Maximo has reaped numerous international awards among them: the Berlin International Film Festival (Best Feature Film), the Montreal World Film Festival 2005 (Best Feature Film), the Asian Film of Films Singapore (Best Picture), Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival (Best Picture and Best Actor), Toronto Imagine Native Film Festival 2005 (Best Picture) and Rotterdam Film Festival (Best Asian Film). It was also entry at the Sydney Film Festival.

Maximo joins two other Filipino-directed films, Masahista and Two Nights, to be screened in Sydney's cultural belt this year. END