MMFF 2012 New Wave: Bigger, better, bolder

MANILA, Philippines - Lawyer Francis Tolentino, Metro Manila Development Authority chairman, is looking forward to a bigger, better, bolder New Wave Section of the 38th Metro Manila Film Festival. Meaning, bigger prizes and incentives, better entries and bolder themes and topics.

Heading this year’s New Wave Section are Digna Santiago, director Mel Chionglo and lawyer Alu Dorotan for the full-length indie entries, and director Paul Soriano for the student section short films and the newly-created Cine-Phone, a cellphone moviemaking contest for high school and college students.

When Tolentino assumed office in 2010 and headed the annual MMFF, he incorporated the New Wave Section into the filmfest. He is supportive of young filmmakers who find artistic expressions and outlets in indie movies.

Santiago, Chionglo, Soriano and Dorotan recently met with parties interested in joining this year’s New Wave Section and explained contest mechanics. The meeting took place last June 29 at the conference room of the MMDA building in Makati.

Tolentino, on the other hand, could not attend the meeting as he was on his way to Singapore to explore the possibilities of entering winners and finalists of the New Wave Section this year in Asian filmfests: Tokyo, New Delhi, Jakarta, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.

Present at the meeting were Pepe Diokno, Gil Portes, Joyce Bernal, Joji Alonzo, Doy del Mundo, TJ Trinidad, Bing Lao, among others.

Chionglo announced the prizes for this year’s indie category are bigger than last year’s: Best Picture — P300,000 (plus post-production package and commercial run some time in January or February); Special Jury Prize — P200,000; and Best Director, Actor, Actress — P50,000 each.

Prizes at stake in the short and student film categories are still being finalized by Soriano and the executive committee of the MMFF, jointly headed by Tolentino and Jesse Ejercito.

Deadline for the submission of entries is Oct. 25. Chosen entries will be announced Nov. 5. Winners will be known on Dec. 27, to be announced at the MMFF awards night at the Meralco Theater.

Screening of the chosen entries is on Dec. 18 (gala night) and Dec. 19 to 22 (regular showing) at Glorietta in Makati.