1st PNP student film fest deemed a success

MANILA, Philippines - The story of a reluctant police officer trying to gain the respect of his policeman father was chosen Best Picture in the first Philippine National Police (PNP) film festival.

“Police Line” produced by students of the New Era University in Quezon City also won awards for production design, musical score, editing, videography, screenplay, direction and performance by an actor. The film also took the Special Award for Best in Production Authenticity. 

PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said the film festival participated in by students from universities nationwide was a huge success.

The project, initiated by the PNP Police Community Relations Group headed by Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome, sought to bring the police closer to the people and the community and at the same time encourage students to pursue their dreams of becoming filmmakers.

“The PNP would like to bring up the social awareness of the youth that peace and order is the concern of the community. We would like to influence young students to view the police organization as a noble profession and we need idealistic people like them to join us,” Verzosa said.

The entries featured heroism of police officers as well as mistakes committed by policemen, but also showed the effort of the PNP leadership to correct such shortcomings.

The other films were “Gatilyo” from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Manila, “Vendetta” from the University of Perpetual Help System in Laguna, “Detektib” from Dr. Felimon C. Aguilar Memorial College in Las Piñas City, and “Bro” from La Consolacion College in Manila.

Amalia Rosales of “Gatilyo” won as best actress. — Cecille Suerte Felipe