MANILA, Philippines — The Directors Factory Philippines 2024 filmmakers are still amazed by how far their short films have traveled — from Dapitan City in Zamboanga del Norte to the Cannes Film Festival in France, and most recently, to the QCinema International Film Festival 2024, where their works were featured as opening films.
It became a full circle moment for them as they graced the homecoming premiere of their films at the Teatro de Dapitan, along with French director Dominique Welinski, Dapitan City’s local officials and talents. The STAR also attended the event.
An omnibus film project started by the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight section, Directors Factory Philippines features four short films under the direction of Filipino filmmakers with their Southeast Asian counterparts. These are: “Cold Cut” by Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan (Philippines) and Tan Siyou (Singapore); “Silig” by Arvin Belarmino (Philippines) and Lomorpich Rithy a.k.a. YoKi (Cambodia); “Nightbirds” by Maria Estela Paiso (Philippines) and Ashok Vish (India); and “Walay Balay” by Eve Baswel (Philippines) and Gogularaajan Rajendran (Malaysia).
These were filmed at the Shrine City of the Philippines from February to March this year, screened at the Théâtre Croisette in Cannes in May, and at the QCinema on Nov. 8 at the Gateway Cineplex 18. The directors, crew and actors were hosted by Dakak Resort during filming and the post-production process. The project was co-produced by Bradley Liew (Epicmedia-Philippines) and Dominique’s production outfit DW, in partnership with Quezon City Film Commission and Local Government of Dapitan, CMB Film Services, Anima Studios of Kroma Entertainment via general manager Bianca Balbuena, Paul Soriano of Ten17P, Terminal Six Post, and Barebones, Inc.
“Cold Cut” co-director Don felt nostalgic upon setting foot again in Dapitan for the premiere. “When we arrived here today, nabigla rin ako like, ‘Oh wow, we were just here yesterday, we just finished filming here.’ At the same time, I wish our co-director from Singapore is here also because the four of us (including two lead actors) became ‘family’ when we did the film. We are happy to be entrusted (as directors) and (we) believed in our concept. So, nakakatuwa rin and nostalgic to be here again in Dapitan.”
The two actors, Chevy Claire Recososa Guanter (as Joy) and Noriel Tome Obnimaga (the mysterious butcher), are local talents. They were elated to be part of the film. “It’s still not sinking in,” shared Chevy. “Parang yesterday lang natapos yung shoot. It’s really a great opportunity for local artists here in Mindanao to be able to showcase what we have here. So we’re very, very thankful and blessed that our director trusted us to play these characters in their masterpiece.”
Noriel echoed, “It happened so fast. I didn’t expect that the director would entrust me with their film.”
For her part, direk YoKi of “Silig” said it “felt like home” when she arrived at the local airport. “I was like, this is the smell that I remember. We were here eight months ago. It feels like home. I see the people, I see the roads. We arrived at the (same place) where we stayed.”
“Silig” tells the story of a lady who returns home, knowing that she’s about to die from cancer. It stars Sylvia Sanchez and Angel Aquino.
“I’m more happy than ever to be able to sit in the same place with the people here in Dapitan to watch the film. I’m sure they’re gonna be proud of these short films. Without their support, I don’t know if we could make the beautiful films that we have right now. I feel blessed, happy and honored to be back with all the people,” YoKi added.
Direk Gogularaajan of “Walay Balay,” on the other hand, said that it was “quite surreal” to return to Dapitan.
“It is about this land and this vision and now we are really excited to show it to them because it’s their story. Even though we’ve shown it in Manila and Cannes, I think this is really special because it feels like the story belongs to them and they are the real owners of the story.”
“Walay Balay” follows the story of Norayda (Ruby Ruiz) and her daughter Yahaira (Shaina Magdayao) who flee their home after a war broke out. They relocate to a quiet seaside house, where they are made to reimagine what it means to be home.
Tin Velasco, the line producer of “Cold Cut” and “Nightbirds,” was likewise thrilled to be in Dapitan once again. “Nightbirds,” in particular, is about the Tigmamanukan, a bird spirit created by the gods to give aid to wingless birds who seek freedom. One of these spirits (Bob Jbeili) comes down to earth to help Ivy (Pokwang), a woman trapped in an abusive
“We had worked mostly with local crew and talents,” she recalled. “Seeing everyone after it premiered in Cannes feels like really coming home. Talking to them and updating each other on how it’s been feels like coming home to relatives and catching up,” she beamed.
“One of our local coordinators told me, the chicken we used in the film is still alive and won a lot of fights in the derby. One of the caskets used as props was sold to a fan. The way we laugh at our experiences during the shoot is a reminder that we had fun. I am glad that the government of Dapitan was able to promote the screening and offer it for free to all Dapitanons. I hope they extend the screening, so people who missed it can watch.”
She added that the entire Manila team is very grateful to have worked with the people of Dapitan and hopes the city continues to support their local talents and filmmakers.
Showcasing Dapitan in global cinema
Dapitan City Mayor Seth Frederick “Bullet” Jalosjos, for his part, couldn’t be more proud of what the city has accomplished. He remarked, “We’re so excited, honored and proud above anything else. Parang ‘tong mga anak natin, eh. And to see a big momentous event such as this, and for us to showcase Dapitan’s talent throughout the world is something that we should all be proud of – us, Dapitanons. And it’s no less than Cannes.”
“It’s really a huge deal for us to showcase the talents of our directors, actors, producers. It gives them hope to boost their creativity and to show how boundless their talents are. We are not (only) bound and confined in a small space like Mindanao or just Dapitan. It gives them pride, joy and hope that they can make it outside of Dapitan City,” he added.
Bullet’s sister Svetlana Jalosjos de Leon, who is Dakak Resort and Properties general manager and Dapitan Heritage and Arts Council president, cited how the monumental collaboration between Dapitan and Cannes Directors’ Fortnight just raised the bar for the province and the Philippines.
She remarked, “It might just create ripples and eventually waves in our city’s normally quiet yet rich cultural heritage landscape. It still baffles and amazes me to this day how for one extraordinary year, Dapitan was chosen to become the host for the film shots for the prestigious Cannes Directors’ Fortnight — a program that has long been dedicated to discovering emerging filmmakers from developing countries. As we know, these initiatives helped young minds, young artists create and debut their short films and allow them to premiere at no less than the most prestigious Cannes Film Festival in France.”
She expressed her gratitude to Team Dakak, Gloria de Dapitan, Glorious Fantasyland, the local businesses, the local government unit, the police and other groups that supported the project.
Cinemalaya festival director and former Cultural Center of the Philippines vice president Chris Millado, who is a keen supporter of Dapitan’s arts and culture initiatives, recalled that the partnership began with an inquiry from Bianca. She asked if the city would be interested in partnering with them. Dapitan previously hosted the Cinemalaya 18 in 2022.
“I guess they heard about the support and openness of the local government, plus private (entities) here in Dapitan. So they inquired and I brought it up with them because right now, I’m working in the capacity as parang helping them establish their arts and culture initiatives here in Dapitan.”
“Immediately, they responded. They were very excited. And it was not surprising for them to be excited because they have a background in entertainment. Lana is in the arts and mayor ‘Bullet’ also has a background in producing films.”
On why the Cannes team chose Dapitan, Dominique explained, “First of all, we were nicely invited here. And with all, like the environment, the location we have here, we have the jungle, the mountains, the sea, the city and (Jose) Rizal which is very symbolic, it did open the mind of the directors.”
Dapitan is where the National Hero Jose Rizal was exiled from 1892 to 1896. “So, (it’s) also an homage to the Philippines,” she added.
After the screenings in the Philippines, the four short films will be shown in Jakarta and around Asia.
“The individual films will travel around the world. So, Dapitan will be visible everywhere,” shared Dominique.