Oldest indie fest bares latest winners

FRESH yield of filmmakers in 26th edition of CCP Gawad Alternatibo

My first film award was a CCP Gawad Alternatibo for Best Documentary, shared with my thesis partner at De La Salle University, broadcast journalist Chi Datu-Bocobo. Two decades later, I sat on the jury of the 26th CCP Award for Alternative Film and Video, held last Nov. 19-21.

The CCP Gawad Alternatibo is the first and oldest indie film fest in the country. Previous winners include Raymond and Jon Red, Mark Meily, Yam Laranas, Cesar Hernando, Nick Deocampo, Rox Lee, Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil and Ditsi Carolino.

This year, three films tied for first prize in the Short Feature category: “Kasaysayan ng Isang Ina” by Ruelo Lozendo, “U.S.F.A.” by Jason Paul Laxamana and “Lisyun Qng Geografia (Geography Lessons)” by Petersen Vargas. The jury was composed of directors Jay Altarejos, Tara Illenberger and Francis Pasion.

For the documentary prize, only honorable mentions were declared: “A Friend in Sight” by Norman Zafra, “Pulo: Buhay sa Ilang na Isla” by Makhaila Mina Montoya and “Skuter” by John Michael C. Mendoza.

Compelling docu

Documentary jury head Doy del Mundo shares, “‘A Friend in Sight’ is about a blind woman and her guide dog. ‘Pulo: Buhay sa Ilang na Isla’ delves into the lives of an island’s residents. ‘Skuter’ focuses on a young student who gets around on a scooter.”

Ateneo de Naga University students led the winners in the Animation category, in this order: “An Maogmang Lugar” by Mary Ann Espedido, “Manang” by Vince Riel Angelo Serrano, and a tie between “Gymsnatch” by Eric Dequitos and “The Legend of Ligñon Hill” by Mariuz Yap.

For the Experimental category, the third prize went to “B” by Awie Cardenas, and honorable mentions were given to “Anagolay” by Iar Arondaing and “Swirl” by Petersen Vargas. There were no first and second prize winners.