New Wave, student short films to open in theaters on Dec. 18

Francis Tolentino, chair of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines-Indie movies and student short films that made it in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) will be finally shown in theatres starting December 18.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino, who also sits as chairman of the annual film festival, said five entries to the New Wave Full Feature and 10 in Student Short Film Section of the MMFF 2012 will open at Glorietta Cinemas in Makati City from December 18 to 22.

These are “Ad Ignorantiam”, “Gayak”, “In Nomine Matris”, “Paglaya sa Tanikala”, and the “Grave Bandits”.

To be shown alongside these Indie films are 10 short films produced by student filmmakers from various universities and colleges nationwide.

The 10 student entries are “Manibela” (Far Eastern University), “Pukpok” (DLSU), “Obsesyon” (Mowelfund Film Institute), “Rolyo” (Mowelfund Institute), “Tsansa” (Cebu Normal University), “Ritwal” University of San Carlos, Cebu), “Tagad” (University of San Carlos, Cebu), “Kinse” (Mowelfund Film Institute), “Sonata” (UP-Diliman), and “Lugaw” (Mowelfund Film Institute).

Tolentino is inviting the public to watch these movies, which he said will be a very good prelude to the mainstream entries in the MMFF that opens in cinemas on Christmas Day.

“These Indie movies and student films represent the very best and artistic talents of amateur and student filmmakers in the country. Watching these cinematic creations is a rare, once-in-a-lifetime, and unforgettable movie experience this Christmas season,” Tolentino said.

The MMFF’s New Wave Section was Tolentino’s brainchild in 2010 to enable independent film producers and aspiring student filmmakers to showcase their talents and be part of the prestigious annual film festival.

The New Wave entry to be named Best Picture in the MMFF Awards Night will receive P300,000 cash prize.

For Student Short Film Competition, a P50,000 prize will be given to the producer of the Best Picture, including Sony cameras, free-post production packages, a one-year paid internship under Viva Productions, and scholarship from Mowelfund.