New Filipino film fest hunts for local talents

ONE OF the festival’s workshop mentors, Bong Cabrera, has won awards and made it to the cast of “Bourne Legacy.” photo: toepick.multiply.com

A new film festival named Sine Pinoy promises to discover fresh talents in front and behind the camera from all over the country.

The event proposes to accomplish this difficult task through a series of workshops to be held in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, from April to May.

Rich Santiago, the festival director, explained that the workshops cover acting, singing and dancing, along with film and television production and pitching. He said that students from ages 6 to 60 are welcome.

First round of workshops will be held in Mindanao—in General Santos and in Davao City starting on April 23.

Next stop is the Visayas—Bacolod, Iloilo, Cebu, Tacloban and Tagbilaran, beginning on May 1.

Finishing off the national workshops is the Luzon leg—Metro Manila, Baguio and Legazpi, commencing on May 9.

Organizers are eyeing other key cities such as Puerto Princesa and Cagayan de Oro.

Workshop mentors

Santiago, together with marketing group Eleda, and D’ream Arts Production, have chosen the following mentors: Tanghalang Pilipino’s Nanding Josef and this year’s Cinema One best actor Bong Cabrera (who also appeared in the Hollywood film “The Bourne Legacy”)—along with actors Joseph Keith Anicoche, Bernah Bernardo, Joan Bugcat, Jonathan Tadiaoan, Abner Delina Jr., Tanya Sajayon, Carlon Matobato, Christina Bojocan, Harlene Magsino and Ma. Teresa Jamias.

Santiago said that organizers are coordinating closely with local government units in conducting the workshops.

“Some LGUs and private businesses are sponsoring scholars to the workshops,” he related.

SINE Pinoy resource speaker Nanding Josef is a theater-film veteran and heads the CCP’s Tanghalang Pilipino.

At the end of each workshop, the students will present a short film. The best screenplays (written by participants from each city) will be made into feature films.

“We encourage filmmakers to tap local talents, specifically graduates of the workshops in their cities, to form their cast and crew,” said Santiago.

Hope as theme

“The theme centers on hope, and the films should be child-friendly,” he added.

The festival, scheduled in September, will feature 12 films from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Each film will receive a P1-million grant.

Sine Pinoy is currently in talks with officers of different malls for the screening of the 12 entries—which will vie for awards like best film, director, actor, actress, screenplay, cinematography and editing.

“We hope to have simultaneous screenings all over the country,” said Santiago. “We also plan to show the films in different schools and universities nationwide.”