With the number of people who attended the media launch of the 20 finalists in Cinemalaya’s full-length and short film competitions, CCP president Nestor Jardin proudly remarked, “When before Cinemalaya organizers had a hard time inviting people to cover the event, this year, we had to turn down requests for coverage because we could not accommodate them for logistical limitations.”
Nestor Jardin also noted that when Cinemalaya started five years ago, only a handful of people came to watch the movies. Last year, almost 30,000 watched and he hopes that the number will increase this year. The organizers have also kept the ticket price to the festival still at P100 to encourage more people to watch Cinemalaya films.
Through the years, Cinemalaya has become a venue to showcase outstanding films and discover new, talented filmmakers. Next year, it will open a new category for mainstream indie directors.
Nestor Jardin added that films in competition are required to have English subtitles because more and more foreigners are coming over to watch these films. And 20 percent of the audience are foreigners.
This year, 140 scripts were submitted for the full length category. The selection committee picked 10 finalists which were given a seed money of P500,000 each and the winner will receive P200,000 cash prize and a Balanghai trophy. Cinemalaya received less scripts this year because of its decision to impose stricter rules. Aside from the synopsis, entries were asked to come up with a sequence treatment of their stories. “Sequence treatment was required because last year, some of the best stories failed when translated on screen,” said Laurice Guillen, competition chairman.
The 10 finalists that will compete in the full length category are 24K by Ana Agabin; Ang Panggagahasa kay Fe by Alvin Yapan; Astig by GB Sampedro; Colorum by Jon Steffan Ballesteros; Dinig Sana Kita by Mike Sandejas; Engkwentro by Pepe Diokno; Last Supper No. 3 by Veronica Velasco and Jinky Laurel; Mangatyanan by Jerrold Tarog; Nerseri by Vic Acedillo Jr.; and Sanglaan by Milo Sogueco.
In the short film category, 62 short films were submitted and 10 made it to the finals. They are Behind Closed Doors by Mark Philipp Espina; BLOGOG by Rommel “Milo” Tolentino; Bonsai by Alfonso “Borgy” Torre III; Hulagpos by Maita Lirra Lupac; Latus by John Paul Seniel; Musa by Dexter Cayanes; Si Bok at ang Trumpo by Hubert Tibi; Tatang by Jean Paolo “Nico” Hernandez; Wat Floor Ma’am by Mike Sandejas and Robert Seña; and Ugat sa Lupa by Ariel Reyes. The short film winner will receive P100,000 in cash prize and a Balanghai trophy.
Cinemalaya will also feature the Brocka Retrospective, with the screening of his films like Wanted: Perfect Mother, Tubog sa Ginto, Stardom, Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang, Tatlo Dalawa Isa, Maynila sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag, Insiang, Bona, Bayan Ko and Macho Dancer.
Aside from the competition, Cinemalaya will also feature the following: World Premieres and NetPac films, Kids’ Treats, Gay/Lesbian films, The City in Focus section, Women in Indies, Off Center section, Documentary section and Ani: Best of Last Year Movies.
Another event to watch out for in Cinemalaya is the film congress, Linking Digital Highways, which will be held at the CCP Little Theater.
During the media launch, Cinemalaya also unveiled its new ad campaign billed Cinemalaya Cinco which was done by Black Pencil Advertising, Inc. The ad campaign celebrates the fifth year of Cinemalaya which has become a major event in local film industry. The ad campaign tags Cinemalaya as the “big, small film festival,” conveying the importance and impact of Cinemalaya on Filipino independent cinema.
Cinemalaya opens July 17 and runs until July 26. Films will be shown at all CCP venues, namely the Main Theater, the Little Theater, Dream Theater, Tanghalang Huseng Batute, Silangan Hall and the MKP Hall.
Cinemalaya Cinco is presented by the Cinemalaya Foundation, Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Film Development Council of the Philippines and Econolink Investments, Inc. Cinemalaya is an all-digital film competition aimed at discovering new Filipino filmmakers.
For ticket information, call 551-7930 or 832-1125 local 1800 to 1808, 832-3704 or 832-1125 local 1409.