Cinematheque opens in Zamboanga

JUN URBANO and the statue of his father, the late filmmaker Manuel Conde. photo by Rodel Rotoni

To provide another alternative screening venue for independently produced movies, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) will open its fifth cinematheque in Zamboanga City on Wednesday.

The inauguration of the 160-seater Zamboanga Cinematheque will be witnessed by FDCP chair Briccio Santos, local government officials and foreign dignitaries.

According to Santos, it is only fitting that the fifth cinematheque is located in Zamboanga City, “which is one of the pioneering locations that actively exhibited films even before  World War II.”

Earlier, the FDCP established cinematheques in  Bacolod, Baguio, Iloilo and Marawi.

“We hope that with this [new cinematheque], the glory of movie-going will be revived,” the FDCP chief said.

“The facility is designed to be an alternative screening location of diverse films ranging from Filipino classics to foreign works,” the council posted on www.fdcp.ph. “It will also serve as a venue for workshops and symposiums as well.”

The inauguration on Wednesday will coincide with the opening ceremony of the 2014 Zamboanga International Film Festival, which will be held until Sunday.

Pablo Berger’s “Blancanieves,” a 2012 Spanish silent film based on the fairy tale Snow White,  is the opening film.

Also to be unveiled  that day is a statue of the late filmmaker Manuel Conde, sculpted by artist Jonas Roces. Conde’s son, actor-director Jun Urbano, is guest of honor.

Also expected to attend are Jorge Domencq, Spain’s ambassador to the Philippines; Michel Stanilas Villar, counselor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs of the Embassy of France; Celso Lobregat, 1st District Zamboanga City representative; and Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, Zamboanga City mayor.

Winning scripts

Meanwhile, the FDCP  chose nine winners for its 2013 Genre Film Scriptwriting Competition.

The first three winners received P200,000 each: Eduardo Lejano for his script  “Habagat” (hybrid); Agustin del Mundo Sugatan Jr. for “Jeepney, Jeprox, A Pinoy Rak” (comedy); and Jose Alejandro M. Eduarte for “Wakasan” (action).

The six succeeding scripts each won P100,000: “As One” (horror) by Juvy Grado Galamiton; “Bacao” (thriller) by Edgardo Vinarao; “Frat War” (horror) by Hector M. Fernandez; “Maligamgam” (comedy) by Jerome Zamora; “Misteriyoklas: The Beki Files” (hybrid) by Mario L. Mendez Jr.; and “The Unbelievers” (action) by Reuben R. Canoy.

The nine winning scriptwriters will participate in a story-pitching session to be held at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in Makati City next month.

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