3 PH filmmakers among Singapore fest’s Film Fund recipients

From left: Joseph Mangat, Timothy John Baraceros Collanto and Chuck Escassa

Three Filipino filmmakers are on the Singapore International Film Festival’s shortlist of eight documentaries and short films to receive the SGIFF Film Fund this year.

Comprising the Tan Ean Kiam Foundation-SGIFF Southeast Asian Documentary Grant (SEA-Doc) and Southeast Asian Short Film Grant (SEA-Shorts), the fund will help support the development and production of thought-provoking films that contribute to the growth of Southeast Asian cinema.

SEA-Doc grants were awarded to Chuck Escasa’s “Ghosts of Kalantiaw” and Joseph Mangat’s “Divine Factory” from the Philippines. Other winners: Komtouch Napattaloong’s “Hours of Ours” (Thailand) and Jason Soo’s “Operation Spectrum” (Singapore).

Meanwhile, a SEA-Shorts grant was awarded to Timothy John Baraceros Collanto’s’ “April Mud” from the Philippines. Other recipients in the short-film category: Kris Ong’s “Mountain Land: A Celebration” (Singapore), Lin Htet Aung’s “Once Upon A Time There Was A Mom” (Myanmar) and Pom Bunsermvicha’s “The Nature of Dogs.” —RITO P. ASILO