Innovative new programs spice up Cinemalaya 2011

POE. The legendary actor-director will be feted by way of a nine-film retrospective.

Cinemalaya 2011, which unreels on July 15-24, is presenting innovative programs and events: The Society of Filipino Archivists for Film (Sofia) is honoring National Artist Fernando Poe Jr. via “A D’Lanor Film, Directed by Ronwaldo Reyes,” a retrospective featuring nine of Poe’s films.

Sofia’s Ricky Orellana informs us, “A lot of people know FPJ primarily as an actor, so the retrospective will shed light on him as a director. In 1966, he started directing films as D’Lanor before he changed to Ronwaldo Reyes in 1973.”

Cinemalaya also wants to create awareness on the importance of film preservation. Orellana stresses, “Our films are worth preserving, because we have a rich cinematic tradition. Cinema was introduced to us in 1897.”

Good news

While watching the fun-filled rom-com, “Summer Love,” starring Gabby Concepcion, Snooky Serna, Maricel Soriano and William Martinez, last weekend, we bumped into production designer Cesar Hernando, who shared with us the good news that he’ll be having his first one-man photo exhibit at this year’s film fest.

“Pagdating sa Dulo to Batang West Side (1971-2001)” is Hernando’s collection of behind-the-scenes photographs in his 40-plus years as a film worker.

In addition, Marge Templo of the Philippine Independent Filmmakers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (IFC) is organizing “Making Sense and Cents with Emerging Cinema,” the first Manila film-financing forum.

Joint ventures

Templo explains, “We should also educate ourselves in the business aspect of filmmaking—in financing, marketing and distribution. If there’s a venue where filmmakers and producers can discuss joint ventures, they’d be more productive!”