GMA News TV’s Cine Totoo bares its entries

CEBU, Philippines - Beginning September 24, film enthusiasts will be treated to a slew of never before seen local documentaries as leading local news channel GMA News TV marks another milestone with the inauguration of its first-ever documentary fest – Cine Totoo Philippine International Documentary Film Festival.

Cine Totoo, which is divided into Philippine and Southeast Asian sections, unveils a total of 18 documentaries that will be screened in competition in select cinemas in Trinoma, SM Megamall and SM Manila from September 24 – September 30.

Despite receiving a limited grant of P150,000 each, the finalists, who are independent filmmakers from all over the country, still managed to produce impressive, ingenious and inspiring documentaries for the first-ever Cine Totoo Philippine International Documentary Film Festival.

Among these films are Agbalbalitok (The Gold Prospector) by Ferdinand Balanag, A Journey to Haifa by Nawruz Paguidopon, Ang Gitaristang Hindi Marunong Magskala by Sigfreid Barros-Sanchez, Ang Walang Kapagurang Paglalakbay ng Pulang Maleta by Richard Legaspi, Gusto Nang Umuwi ni Joy by Jan Tristan Pandy, Kung Giunsa Pagbuhat ang Binisayang Chopsuey (How to Make a Visayan Chopsuey) by Charliebebs Gohetia,Komikero Chronicles by Keith Sicat, Mananayaw by Rafael Froilan, Marciano by Ivy Rose Universe Baldoza, Migkahi e si Amey te, Uli ki pad (Father Said, Let’s Return Home) by Nef Luczon, and Walang Rape sa Bontok by Carla Samantha Ocampo.

Aside from these 11 documentaries in competition for the Philippine Section, 7 films were also chosen to compete in the festival’s Southeast Asian Section.

Among these are Tan Pin Pin’s controversial documentary “To Singapore With Love,” which was recently banned in its home country by the Media Development Authority of Singapore because it allegedly “undermined national security.” It was part of Berlin Film Festival’s Forum Section and it won Best Director at the Muhr Asia Africa Documentary section of the 10th Dubai International Film Festival.

Also in competition is Misha Anissimov’s documentary “Once in a Lifetime: A Russian Song for Guiuan,” which tells the story of famous Russian folk singer Nikolai Massenkoff  who as a child became a refugee in Tubabao, Guiuan, Samar. It follows Massenkoff as he returned for the first time to Tubabao to help out and organize a concert after super typhoon Yolanda devastated the province.

The other films competing in the Southeast Asian section are Nontawat Numbenchapol’s “By The River” and “Boundary” (Thailand), Dwi Sujanti Nugraheni’s “Denok and Gareng” (Indonesia), Adjani Arumpac’s “War is a Tender Thing” (Philippines), and Uruphong Raksasad’s “The Songs of Rice” (Thailand).

Documentaries under the Philippine Section are vying to win the top three awards namely Best Documentary Film, Special Jury Prize and Audience Choice Award. The winners will receive trophies and cash prizes. The three winning films will be aired on GMA News TV.

Cine Totoo Philippine International Documentary Film Festival is a special project of GMA News TV Channel 11. (PR) (FREEMAN)