The Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) has launched the 2nd Sine Panitik scriptwriting competition.
FAP secretary-general Leo Martinez explained the contest rationale: “Research says 50 percent of the best American and European films are based on literature. When I was Unesco commissioner on culture in 2004, I noticed that the film industry was producing films based on komiks, soap operas … because producers only wanted to make money. I thought up a project for students that would not take box-office appeal into consideration. Winners in important film festivals around the world show the origin country’s ‘soul.’ What better way to show ours than through literature?”
The FAP has listed 23 classic Filipino short stories—13 in English, nine in Filipino—that may be adapted into screenplays by professional or student writers who may want to join the contest. Deadline for submission of entries is Aug. 29.
Three winning entries will each receive P20,000 (before tax) and form a trilogy for a feature-length film.
Short stories
The English short stories are: “Children of the Ash-Covered Loam” by NVM Gonzales, “Dead Stars” by Paz Marquez Benitez, “How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife” by Manuel E. Arguilla, “Midsummer” by Miguel Arguilla, “My Brother’s Peculiar Chicken” by Alejandro R. Roces, “My Father Goes to Court” by Carlos Bulosan, “The Bread of Salt” by NVM Gonzales, and “The Mats” by Francisco Arcellana;
“In Transit” by Rebecca E. Khan, “Shut Up and Live” by Lakambini Sitoy, “The Death of Fray Salvador Montero” by Rosario Ma. Lucero, “The Woman in the Box” by Jose Dalisay Jr. and “We Won’t Cry About This” by Socorro Villanueva.
The short stories in Filipino are: “Banyaga” by Liwayway A. Arceo, “Lugmok na ang Nayon” by Edgardo M. Reyes, “May Buhay sa Looban” by Pedro S. Dandan, “Suyuan sa Tubigan” by Macario Pineda;
“Ang Apo ni Lola Soledad” by Edgardo Maranan, “Apokalipsis” by Alvin B. Yapan, “Apong Simon” by Reynaldo Duque, “Sandosenang Sapatos” by Luis Gatmaitan and “Si Intoy Syokoy ng Kalye Marino” by Eros S. Atalia.
The screenplay adaptation should have a running time of 30 to 40 minutes. Dialogue should be in Filipino. Entrants may submit multiple entries. Winners will also receive talent fees as scriptwriters during the film production.
Interested parties may refer to the FAP website for details. (mcruz@inquirer.com.ph)