‘Diverse’ 2nd Sinag Maynila dawns this April

Exciting, diverse and socially relevant.

These are the words used by world-renowned director Brillante Mendoza to capsulize the lineup of films for the second edition of Sinag Maynila Film Festival this month.

“We have diverse films [this year] unlike the first one. Now we have two horror films, two action films and two dramas,” Mendoza said during the festival’s media launch at the SM Aura Skypark, Bonifacio Global City.

Out of 104 submissions, five full-length features were chosen to be showcased in cinemas through P2-million grants awarded to the respective filmmakers.

BACKSTORY: Sinag Maynila Film Festival now poised for its second year

These are “Mrs.” by Adolf Alix Jr., “Expressway” by Ato Bautista, “Dyamper” by Mes de Guzman, “T.P.O.” by Jay Altarejos and “Lila” by Gino Santos.

“This year, we added the short film and Cinephone categories. It is exciting because the festival doesn’t only give grants but also supports the other aspects of filmmaking,” Mendoza told INQUIRER.net.

The Sinag Maynila is the brainchild of Mendoza, the festival director, and Solar Entertainment CEO Wilson Tieng. Since its inauguration in March last year, it has helped independent directors to develop their fresh and unexplored material to a full-length film for public exhibition.

Mendoza maintained that as much as possible they want to present quality Filipino movies with social relevance.

“We don’t want to just show the usual genre films. That even genre films, like action or horror, could still be socially relevant only if the filmmakers are aware that we want to create critical thinkers from our audience,” he said.

He also noted how the financial grant significantly encouraged filmmakers to take part in the festival.

“These are the stories that you don’t usually see on mainstream because they are not really commercial in a way. The mere fact that we give them the chance to develop their films…it’s an important sign for different filmmakers that in the future they could also submit their films and make it into reality,” he said.

Sinag Maynila’s first edition spawned masterpieces that have made rounds in 36 international film festivals, many of which reaped awards and recognitions.

Among them are Zig Dulay’s “Bambanti”, Lawrence Fajardo’s “Imbisibol” and Remton Zuasola’s “Swap”.

READ: ‘Imbisibol’ bags Best Picture award at 1st Sinag Maynila film fest

“We are expecting this year to be successful in terms of resonating with the audience and also, when we send them abroad, they would be much appreciated,” Tieng said.

The ideological father of the new Philippine cinema Lav Diaz heads the board of jury for the second Sinag Maynila, together with four other international festival programmers.

The festival will run from April 21 to 26 in selected SM Cinemas.