Six ToFarm film fest finalists announced

Out of 180 entries, only six finalists have been chosen for the second ToFarm Film Festival slated this July.

“I find this year’s lineup very exciting,” said festival director Maryo J. delos Reyes during the formal announcement of the 2017 finalists on Wednesday. “We will feature a good mix of established filmmakers and neophytes. In terms of the stories, the lineup has more variety compared to 2016,” he told the Inquirer.

The finalists, which all carry the theme “Planting the Seeds of Change,” are:

Topel Lee’s “Baklad” is a dark comedy that features the story of “one of the most neglected people in the local workforce,” the fish pen boys. Triggered by his sexual fantasy for his boss’ new lover, a fish pen boy finds ways to elope with the woman, but his efforts produce devastating results not only for himself but also for people around him.

Tara Illenberger’s “High Tide” talks of the adventures of Unyok and his two friends, Dayday and Laila, as they venture beyond the shoreline in search for clams that they hope to sell to help pay for the hospital expenses of the two girls’ ailing mother.

Jason Paul Laxamana’s “Instalado” is “social science fiction.” It is set in the not-so-distant future when the dominant form of education is through “installation,” a process wherein knowledge can be installed directly to people’s brains using technology. To raise money for this, Victor abandons farming in the agricultural town of Porac and works as a housekeeper for the family of a childhood friend, who has become successful after undergoing a series of installations.

Victor Acedilo Jr.’s “Kamungay (Malunggay)” tells the story of Lolo Peping, who forms an unlikely friendship with a boy named Kenken because of the malunggay tree in his backyard.

Byron Brant’s “Sinandomeng” is about Sinang, who is forced to take charge of a farm when her husband dies suddenly. While her relatives consider selling the property, she refuses and tends to it, nursing the rice seeds with diligence.
Joseph Abello’s “What Home Feels Like” talks of Antonio, a seafarer who learns that he can never board a ship again. As a way to deal with forced retirement, he buys a farm using his family’s life savings.

Aside from the six finalists, ToFarm also announced the entries that qualified for its first songwriting competition to be held at the Samsung Hall of the SM Aura Premiere on April 9.

These are: “Langit ng Tagumpay” by Elmar Jan Bolano, “Magtatanim Ako” by Edwin Marollano, “Ika’y Mahalaga” by Henry C. Alburo, “Binhi ng Pagbabago” by John Christian P. Jose, “T’yaga Lang at Sipag” by Robert David, “Bayani ng Lupa” by Agila Malaya, “Binhi ng Pagbabago” by Gino Torres, “Balik na Salinlahi” by En Gallardo, “Tayo” by Daryl Cielo, and “Magtanim ng Bago” by LJ Manzano.

Noted muscial director Ria Villena-Osorio is head of the song selection panel.

According to Delos Reyes, ToFarm also hopes to organize a competition for documentaries, as well as invite foreign participants as judges or visitors in the coming years.  “It’s also in the plan to exhibit foreign films that are related to agriculture,” he added.