3rd Singkuwento fest finalists revealed

BARBIE Forteza in “Laut”

The organizers of the 3rd Singkuwento International Film Festival  recently announced the finalists of its documentary and short film categories in time for its weeklong run from Feb. 19 to 27 at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in Intramuros, Manila.

Louie Ignacio’s “Laut,” starring Barbie Forteza, is this year’s opening film, which will be screened on Feb. 19, 6:30 p.m., while Joel Lamangan’s “Sekyu” closes the festival on Feb. 27.

Three finalists will battle in the local documentary category: “A Family Reunion” by director Sherbien Dacalanio; “Naglalahong Pamana” by directors Lucy Lavirotte, Berna Sastrillo, David Levi and Jerrica Manongdo; and “Sagisag” by Pauline Mae Gonida.

In the short film category: The four films from Bulacan are “Incubo” and “Mr. Postman” by Herwin Cabasal; “Reyna Christina” by Pia Larina Dimagiba; and “Upos” by Mel Jastine Sanchez.

The lone finalist from Cavite is “Kyel” by Arvin Kadiboy Belarmino, while from Laguna, “Indifference” by Alfonso Silva. “Psychonaut” by Jomz Ramirez is from Mandaluyong City, while “The Girlfriend Experience” by Marco Gatchalian is from Makati City.

From Manila are “Caretaker” by Seymour B. Sanchez, “Makata” by Paulo Parohinog, “Finish Line” by Martin Mayuga and “Si Narra at ang Lihim na Silid sa Paradiso” by Janine Maniego.

Representing Muntinlupa  is “The Truth as Told in Lies” by Inigo Ramil Gorgetti. From Parañaque are “Caritas” by Ariel Buenaventura II and “Gastusing Dasal” by Rico Entico. From San Juan is “Cups Ka Ba?” by Juan Carlo Tarobal.

Pampanga entries are “Anyang Melagas ya ing Tangke king Sala (Broken From the Stem of Light)” by Rey Tamayo Jr. and “Tuknang Mu Rin  (Will End)” by Brianne Carlo Amparado. Tarlac finalists are “Ratatat Nang Dante” by Jasper Ramon Tulabot and “Trio” by Ian Christopher Cruz.

Entries from Taytay, Rizal, are “Kalaro” by Migo Matas and “Walang Nakakita”  by Migo and Coke Matas.

Quezon City entries are “Balikbayan Box” by Karl Justin Martin, “Ipinanganak na Nakayapak” by Jerrica Angela Manongdo, “Man in the Cinema House” by Bernard Jay Mercado, “Minsan sa Isang Dapithapon” by Janna Uy, “Senisado” by John Peter Chua and “The Swindler” by Jae-re Louise Liwanag.

Tickets and festival passes are now available via TicketWorld outlets.