MANILA, Philippines — The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival is back for its 19th edition with 10 new feature films in competition, including the first documentary and animated entries.
Cinemalaya 2023 will take place from August 4 to 13 at the Philippine International Convention Center, a new home for the festival as the Cultural Center of the Philippines' (CCP) main building undergoes renovations.
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Films will also be screened at the CCP's Black Box Theater, TriNoMa, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, and Glorietta cinemas.
Feature films made a return last year for the first time since 2019 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, with Carlo Obispo's "The Baseball Player" winning Best Film, its young star Tommy Alejandrino winning Best Actor, and awards for Best Screenplay and Best Editing.
The next victorious film at Cinemalaya last year was "Blue Room" with the Special Jury Prize, Best Director for Ma-an Asuncion-Dagñalan, Best Supporting Actor for Soliman Cruz, and awards for Best Cinematography and Best Production Design.
Max Eigenmann won Best Actress for "12 Weeks." She dedicated her award to her late aunt and fellow actress Cherie Gil, while Ruby Ruiz bagged Best Supporting Actress for "Ginhawa."
Here is a list of the 10 competing full-length films at this year's Cinemalaya, including their filmmakers, cast and synopsis, in alphabetical order.
"Ang Duyan Ng Magiting"
Directed and written by Dustin Celestino
Starring Dolly De Leon, Bituin Escalante, Agot Isidro, Miggy Jimenez, Jojit Lorenzo, Frances Makil-Ignacio, Paolo O'Hara, Joel Saracho and Dylan Ray Talon
Synopsis: An anthology film of life and violence in the Philippines following a college professor, a university chancellor, a social worker, a police chief, two students, two mothers, and a lawyer as affected by war, terrorism and politics in the country.
Related: Dolly de Leon on becoming an Academy member, working with Kathryn Bernardo, Nicole Kidman
"As If It's True"
Directed and written by John Rogers
Starring Khalil Ramos and Ashley Ortega
In supporting roles are Adrianna So, John Silverio, Angellie Sanoy, Rachel Coates and Marnie Lapus
Synopsis: A burnt-out content creator and a depressed, struggling musician get into a relationship with mutual intentions of capitalizing on one another; however, a blur forms between exploitation and real love.
"Bulawan Nga Usa" (Golden Deer)
Directed and written by Kenneth De La Cruz
Starring Ron Matthews Espinosa and John Niel Paguntalan
In supporting roles are CJ Pagayon, Filemon Capanang, Babbeth Fuentes Vargas, Tara Rose Molina, GC Castro, Lolita Madrid, Krystoffer Ays Grabato and Sharon Idione
Synopsis: A young man goes up a mountain to escape reality and faces events that draw a thin line between mystery and self-discovery.
"Gitling"
Directed and written by Jopy Arnaldo
Starring Gabby Padilla, Ken Yamamura and Emmanuel Dela Cruz
Synopsis: A woman who called off an engagement and a man who escaped his cheating wife cross paths in Bacolod to work on the latter's film, finding solace in a friendship they never knew they needed.
"Iti Mapupukaw" (The Missing)
Directed and written by Carl Joseph Papa
Starring Carlo Aquino, Gio Gahol and Dolly De Leon
Synopsis: Cinemalaya's first animated full-length entry follows the twists and turns of a mouthless young man's life as his memories untangle when an alien enters the picture.
"Huling Palabas"
Directed and written by Ryan Machado
Starring Shun Mark Gomez and Bon Andrew Lentejas
In supporting roles are Jay Gonzaga, Serene Magiliw, Senanda Gomez and Cedrick Juan
Synopsis: A teenager looks for his long-lost father on VHS tapes when suddenly two movie-like characters appear in his small hometown.
Related: Cinemalaya widens horizons for regional filmmakers
"Maria"
Directed by Sheryl Rose Andes
Synoposis: Cinemalaya's first documentary in the full-length competition follows three women named Maria on a journey to seek truth and fight for justice as the Philippines becomes a shrinking civic and democratic space that fosters a culture of impunity.
"Rookie"
Directed by Samantha Lee
Written by Lee and Natts Jadaone
Starring Pat Tingjuy, Aya Fernandez and Agot Isidro
Synopsis: A queer film that follows a tall, awkward teenager who moves to a new town and is forced to join her new all-girl Catholic high school's volleyball team and ends up falling for the team captain.
"Tether"
Directed and written by Gian Arre
Starring Mikoy Morales and Jorrybell Agoto
Synopsis: After a one-night stand, an arrogant playboy and a timid young woman discover that any pleasure or pain they inflict on themselves is simultaneously felt by the other.
"When This Is All Over"
Directed and written by Kevin Mayuga
Starring Juan Karlos Labajo and Jorrybell Agoto
In supporting roles are Ana Abad Santos, Chaye Mogg, Nour Hooshmand, Jico Umali, Renee Dominique, Aaron Maniego, Jonathan Tadioan, Lottie Bie, Zara Loayan and Lotlot Bustamante
Synopsis: A disconnected, desperate individual forges a deal with privileged misfits to plan a secret party at the height of a global pandemic as an escape from reality.
RELATED: Cinemalaya 2022: Winners, highlights and more at closing ceremony