Filmmakers criticize Cinemalaya leak of films on YouTube

Filipino independent film director Hannah Espia, who directed and co-wrote the film “Transit” poses at the Cultural Center of the Philippines where her film is being shown in the country’s Cinemalaya film festival in Manila. AP

Manila, Philippines–Filmmakers took to the stage on Sunday during Cinemalaya’s awards night to criticize the film festival for the controversial leak of films on YouTube.

Hannah Espia, director of Transit, after receiving the Best Screenplay award for Giancarlo Abrahan who directed and wrote the screenplay of Dagitab, slammed Cinemalaya for “violating” their rights.

“I want to express my heartbreak over the upload of our films on YouTube…to see our films on YouTube is a violation of our rights as artists and filmmakers,” said Espia, who is also the producer of Dagitab.

Espia called on Cinemalaya to set a dialogue and on filmmakers to unite.

“We cannot stay silent,” she said.

A pair of presenters also echoed Espia’s call and read a similar statement from Cinemalaya’s Batch 1 before the awards-night audience.

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