MMFF announces new category: Animation

“It’s not a secret. The eyes of international animation companies are on us. This venture could grow big one day,” director Paul Soriano said of the decision of Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) organizers to add a category on animated short films to beef up its New Wave section.

At present, the New Wave competition categories include: full-length feature, student films and cell-phone movies.

Soriano heads the section, along with film producer Digna Santiago.

“If you think about it, most artists and graphic directors of big animation companies in the United States are Filipinos, so why can’t we make our own? Yes, it costs a lot of time and money, but we believe this is a stepping stone,” Soriano told the Inquirer. “This is something new to us. We can all learn a lot from this.”

Deadline

The contest is open to all Filipino professional and student/amateur animators. Entries must have a maximum total running time of 12 minutes and have not been commercially exhibited locally and abroad. Deadline for submission of entries is not later than 5 p.m. of Oct. 4.

Soriano credited MMFF overall chair Francis Tolentino for the initiative. “We promised last year that this section was going to be bigger, bolder and better, and it did not disappoint,” said Tolentino in a statement. “With the animation category, we are yet again pushing the envelope and providing a platform for our animators, both young and veterans.”

Tolentino is chair of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) that sponsors the annual festival.

Something Pinoy

The MMFF has partnered with the Animation Council of the Philippines (ACPI) for this venture. “We have an incredible pool of talents in the Philippines and the MMFF believes that we need to showcase their work to the Filipino audience and promote the animation industry locally,” Tolentino added.

To be one of five finalists, Soriano said the animated feature “has to have a good story.” He explained, “You can always have the most beautiful drawings but if your story goes nowhere, it will be hard to sell. We’re hoping to see something that’s suave, seamless and beautiful. Also, we hope to see something in Filipino.”

He mentioned the different kinds of animation, namely: 3D (this is what Hollywood is doing now), 2D, stop-motion and clay-mation.

“You simply apply the same filmmaking discipline in animation,” he pointed out. “There’s a chance that the work would be exhibited in animation film fests abroad. Who knows, someone from Pixar or Dreamworks may take notice?”

Asked to evaluate his team’s performance last year, Soriano, who replaced director Mark Meily as one of the heads of the New Wave section last year, said: “The fact that chair Tolentino is giving us another chance to head this for the second year means that, in his eyes, we were successful. One of our weaknesses is marketing. Our budget was limited but we were able to gather over a hundred entries.”

Soriano added, “I want to give back continuously to the students. It’s inspiring. It adds to my creativity as a filmmaker and producer. It’s always good to hear the ideas of the youth. I always say they’re the future of this industry. Who knows? One day I may be working for them.”

The MMFF, held annually in December, is a showcase for local films. No foreign movie is shown in the country during the festival, which ends first week of January.

The gala screening for all New Wave entries will be on Dec. 18. The films will then be exhibited at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City and Glorietta Mall in Makati City from Dec. 18-24.

Prizes

Recipients of the best picture award and Special Jury Prize will win P100,000 and P50,000, respectively. Awarding will be on Dec. 27.

For more details and the latest news, visit www.mmda.gov.ph/mmff.

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