The 7th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival opens with the screening of Laurice Guillen’s “Maskara” Friday night at 7 at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
The week-long event, whose theme this year is “See the Unseen,” features 31 digital films in competition and over a hundred in exhibition.
Friday’s ceremony starts at 6, with messages from CCP chair Emily Abrera and festival director Nes Jardin, as well as performances from soprano Camille Lopez and the College of St. Benilde Dance Company.
The 10-minute program precedes the screening of “Maskara,” which follows an actor’s story that unfolds through letters discovered by his wife 40 days after he dies. The film stars Tirso Cruz III, Shamaine Buencamino and Ina Feleo, who also wrote the screenplay.
Jardin told the Inquirer that he is excited with this year’s lineup in the New Breed and Directors’ Showcase categories, as well as the Netpac Philippine Premiere section.
Good mix
“I have not seen all the films but based on their teasers, we have a good mix in terms of subject matter—comedy, suspense, action, as well as gay-themed and whodunit films. There are even cute stories about kids,” Jardin said.
He added that there are only five foreign films—not eight as earlier reported—in the section called Focus Asia.
“The film from Vietnam came in after we had finalized the lineup,” he explained. “We had to turn it down, there were no more available slots. The slots meant for China and Singapore were never filled.”
Participating countries are Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. Jardin said representatives from these countries will participate in the Film Congress dubbed “Building Bridges Across Asia Through Films.”
The festival closing film, Quark Henares’ “Rakenrol,” screens on July 23 at 9 p.m. Capping the night is a concert at Harbour Square across CCP—with featured bands Itchyworms, Ciudad, Taken by Cars, Pedicab, Techy Romantics, Halik ni Gringo and Arigato Hato.
The festival concludes with an awards ceremony on July 24 at the Tanghalang Abelardo.
E-mail mcruz@inquirer.com.ph