Nine full-length films, which are products of the “new competition cycle,” will be showcased in the first “open competition” of this year’s Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, according to its organizers.
The full-length entries are: “Ang Bagong Pamilya ni Ponching” by Inna Miren Salazar and Dos Ocampo; “Dagsin,” Atom Magadia; “Hiblang Abo,” Ralston Jover; “I America,” Ivan Andrew Payawal; “Kusina,” David Corpuz and Cenon Palomares; “Lando at Bugoy,” Vic Acedillo Jr.; “Mercury is Mine,” Jason Paul Laxamana; “Pamilya Ordinaryo,” Eduardo Roy Jr.; and “Tuos,” Derick Cabrido.
An entry, “Maselang Bahaghari” by J. E. Tiglao, backed out due to lack of funding, said Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) artistic director Chris Millado.
The 12th Cinemalaya will run from Aug. 5 to 14. The CCP provides institutional support to the annual indie fete.
“To recall, we announced in 2015 the three major changes that will be implemented by the Cinemalaya Foundation and the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 2016 and thereafter,” Cinemalaya Foundation president Laurice Guillen said at a recent luncheon at the CCP in Pasay City.
The first of three major changes is that the full-length feature category would have a two-year film production cycle. “The first six months is allotted for the film selection process and the remaining months, which is a little over a year, for movie production,” Guillen explained.
LAURICE Guillen
“Second, we would no longer distinguish a film as either for the New Breed or Directors’ Showcase categories,” she added. “Third, the seed grant was increased to P750,000 and hopefully more in the coming years.”
“Last year, we focused on the shorts, giving their filmmakers an unprecedented audienceship and emphasis,” said Millado, adding that there would be 10 finalists again this year.
The shorts are: “Ang Hapon ni Nanding” (Nanding’s Afternoons) by Rommel Tolentino; “Ang Maangas, Ang Marikit at Ang Makata,” Jose Ibarra Guballa; “Bugtaw,” Noah del Rosario; “Butas,” Richard Cawed; “Fish Out of Water,” Mon A.L. Garilao; “Forever Natin,” Cyrus Valdez; “Get Certified,” Isaias Herrera Zantua; “Mansyong Papel,” Ogos Aznar; “Nakauwi Na,” John Relano, Patrick Baleros and Luis Hidalgo; and “Pektus,” Isabel Quesada.
“There will also be at least 60 exhibition films to be screened in the coming festival… They are the best reasons for being part of this year’s Cinemalaya,” said Millado.
Other 2016 Cinemalaya features mentioned by Millado: Cinemalaya has partnered with the Eigasai Japanese Film Festival, through the Japan Foundation. Two films, “Ken and Kazu” by Hiroshi Shoji and “August in Tokyo” by Ryutaro Nakagawa, will be screened for free.
The audience can experience Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Turkey, China, Taiwan, Sri Lanka and India in the comfort of their theater seats through the Asian Showcase section.
The Cinemalaya also offers the following sections—Festival’s Best, Documentaries, and Cinemalaya Institute showcase.
There will be a showcase of the “significant cinematic contributions” of the late director Francis Xavier Passion, who died in March this year. His films “Jay” (2008) “Sampaguita” (2010) and “Bwaya” (2014) will be exhibited.
CHRIS Millado
There will be a special screening section of Lav Diaz’s eight-hour film “Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis” and his 16-minute “Ang Araw Bago ang Wakas.”
There will be a Green Carpet screening, which is “an innovation this year” and a mini concert.
Filmmakers will get the chance to pitch their dream projects to producers during the Film Financing Forum, an event that the Cinemalaya organized in cooperation with the Directors’ Guild of the Philippines Inc.
Film buffs can also schedule private screenings with friends at the new Samsung Screening Lounge.
Cinemalaya will be bigger this year as it expands its reach beyond Metro Manila to Cebu City. Aside from screenings at the CCP and at satellite venues at Ayala Cinemas in Greenbelt 3 and Glorietta in Makati; Trinoma and UP Town Center in Quezon City; and Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, there will also be screenings at Ayala Mall in Cebu.
E-mail mcruz@inquirer.com.ph