MMFF beefs up New Wave section

The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF)  is “upping the ante” in its independently produced films section (New Wave Feature Film) this year by increasing the prizes and adding a new competition dubbed Cine-Phone.

The announcement was made by Francis Tolentino, chair of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) that spearheads the annual movie event.

Now on its third year, the New Wave Feature Film section of the MMFF is considered a “pet project” of Tolentino, according to producer and section head Digna Santiago.

In a meeting with producers, filmmakers and the press last week, Santiago reported the  new cash prizes for the winners in said section, as follows: Best picture, P300,000; special jury prize, P200,000; best director, actor and actress, P50,000 each.

Apart from the cash prize, the best picture winner will also receive DCP (Digital Cinema Package) and Color Correction package from Central Digital, a post-production firm run by award-winning editor Manet Dayrit.

“The package includes 50 hours of Color Correction, using Da Vinci Resolve and Colorist,” explained Santiago. “The Digital Cinema Package comprises 2D Encoding and Conversion to DCI Mastering Package.”

The best picture winner will also be “assured a theatrical run after the fest,” said Santiago.

Joining Santiago in the New Wave Feature committee are filmmaker Mel Chionglo and MMDA Executive Secretary Alu Dorotan.

“We also hope to show the films in festivals in neighboring Asian countries: Japan, Thailand, Malaysia,” said Dorotan.

Not a criteria

“Commercial viability is not part of our criteria in choosing entries,” Santiago pointed out.

Unlike in the main MMFF which prioritizes box-office appeal, the New Breed section gives a premium on “creativity, innovation and technical merits.”

Said Chionglo: “We will not set parameters. They are free to tell their stories.”

The committee will begin accepting entries (finished products) starting August. Deadline of submission of entries is October 25.

On November 5, the five chosen films will be revealed.

The five films will be shown at two Glorietta cinemas from December 18 to 22 – as prelude to the main MMFF, which begins on Christmas Day.

“If the films do well, the cinemas may extend their run until December 24,” said Santiago.

Students welcome

Like last year, students are also encouraged to take part in the competitions: Specifically, in the Short Films and Cine-Phone sections.

Filmmaker Paul Soriano will take charge of the New Wave Student section. He noted that the Cine-Phone tilt pushes young filmmakers to experiment with cell phone cameras.

“I’ve shot films with cell phones. Students should not get caught up with the cameras they are using. You don’t have to use an expensive camera, if you have a great story to tell,” Soriano remarked.

The Cine-Phone competition’s theme is road courtesy.

Foot in the door

Although the New Wave section allows indie and young filmmakers a foot in the door, the main MMFF (which still offers the usual array of fantasy, comedy and horror flicks) seems impenetrable.

Tolentino has expressed the hope that indie films will eventually get in the main MMFF in the near future.

“The New Wave signifies a new beginning, a new vision,” said Santiago.

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