Animated movies now part of metro film fest

HANNAH Espia’s “Mamang Pulis”

Animated movies are now part of the Metro Manila Film Festival.
Through the festival’s New Wave section, animated film entries are given screening slots before the annual event, along with full-feature films by independent productions, and short films by students.

Paul Soriano, head of the New Wave student shorts and Cinephone (movies shot with phone cameras) sections, is proud of this year’s lineup. “It’s getting better and better,” he told the Inquirer. “The students are really passionate about telling their stories. With technology, they are able to make their films look polished.”

(The MMFF New Wave section was launched 2010 to include independent full features. Shorts were added in 2011 and, in 2012, Cinephone.)

GABRIEL Z. Villalon’s “Gayuma ni Maria.” INQSnap this page to view the video!

As Francis Tolentino, chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (which spearheads the fest), pointed out, “These young people are the future of local movies.”

The first batch of entries in the animation category are: Hannah Espia’s “Mamang Pulis,” Gabriel Z. Villalon’s “Gayuma ni Maria,” Omar P. Aguilar’s “Ang Lalong ni Kulakog,” Dennis E. Sebastian’s “Kaleh and Mbaki” and Apollo  C. Anonuevo’s “Origin of Mang Jose.”

This year’s Student Shorts lineup consists of: JK de Guzman’s “Gapos” (from Colegio de San Juan de Letran), Jezreel Reyes’ “Hintayin Mo sa Seq. 24” (Far Eastern University) and Luigi Rosario’s “#NoFilter” (Mapua Institute of Technology).

These short films were school projects.

Rizhel Anne Miguel, 22-year-old producer of “Gapos,” related that her entry was the final requirement in a film subject. “I graduated last semester. This is a big opportunity for students to showcase their talents and express their ideas. It’s good that the MMFF is no longer just for established directors.”

LUIGI Rosario’s “#NoFilter”

Reyes, 21-year-old director of “Hintayin,” agreed: “Today’s youth will inherit the industry. It’s good that kids are exposed to various cinematic, multimedia techniques.”

Future of cinema

Rosario, 20-year-old director of “#NoFilter,” is likewise glad that young filmmakers are now participating in the event. “The future of cinema is the youth. Students comprise the majority of movie audiences. We watch a lot of international and local films.”

Rosario, who’s taking up Multi-Media Arts, finds filmmaking a serious business.

“Even if it’s just a short, filmmaking is very hard, especially since I had to do it on my own,” he admitted. “That was the requirement in our class. We couldn’t ask for help from our classmates, who were busy with their own films.”

Still, Rosario insisted, “It can be tedious but filmmaking is fun and rewarding just the same.”

For Miguel, the hardest part was finding the right actors. “We had only four characters in the script, but all were strong personalities. We needed actors who were just as intense.”

Valuable training

JEZREEL Reyes’ “Hintayin Mo sa Seq. 24”

Reyes had a difficult time gathering his youthful cast and crew.

“Since they were students, too, they were busy with their own activities and gimmicks. But we had to work as a team. It was a group project.”

Reyes counts himself fortunate that training under his mentors (like Inquirer Indie Bravo! awardee Jet Leyco) served him well during the shoot.

“I am really into filmmaking. I was in the cast of Kuya Jet’s Cinema One Originals entry (‘Bukas Na Lang Sapagka’t Gabi Na’),” Reyes said.

Soriano said he was excited to present the students’ works, along with the 60 Cinephone entries.

“The students (in the Cinephone section) used MyPhone smartphones with HD video cameras to shoot their films. Technology allows students to be more creative in telling their stories.”

In Soriano’s series of workshops with the students, he emphasized the importance of mastering the craft.

JK DE Guzman’s “Gapos”

“I focused on technique,” Soriano recounted. “The kids have great stories. But now they have to tell those stories in a more engaging way. Cinema is a visual experience. As filmmakers, they have to touch all the emotions, all the senses.”

The theme of the Cinephone competition proved timely as well.

“It’s about saving Mother Earth. The students were able to tap into the tragedy of Supertyphoon ‘Yolanda’ and integrate it into the Cinephone films.”

It was a learning experience for Soriano, too. “The students inspire me. Until now, I consider myself a student,” he said.

(MMFF New Wave is ongoing until December 24 at Glorietta and SM Megamall cinemas.)