Cine Totoo bares docu finalists

MANILA, Philippines - After a rigorous selection process, the Cine Totoo Philippine International Documentary Film Festival bared the 11 finalists for the Philippine Section of its inaugural edition.

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

“We are very happy with the initial turnout and the eventual finalists. The stories are fresh and compelling. I’m looking forward to how the filmmakers will execute the creative vision and treatment for their respective documentaries,” says festival director Joseph Israel Laban. 

Cine Totoo will be awarding grants worth P150,000 each to the 11 documentarists to produce their respective dream projects. The documentaries will be screened in competition in local theaters in August. Cine Totoo is a special project of GMA News TV Channel 11.