The 12th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival will “break the surface” this year, offering strong lineups of films and nuanced stories that are primed to shake up the world of indie film buffs.

The festival will run from Aug. 5 to 14 in its main venue at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and at its satellite locations in Greenbelt 3 and Glorietta in Makati, Trinoma and UP Town Center in Quezon City and Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Screenings at Ayala Center Cebu will start on Aug. 9.

READ: Nine full-length film entries in Cinemalaya announced

Below are the trailers and synopses of the nine full-length features in competition:

“Ang Bagong Pamilya ni Ponching”

Directors: Inna Salazar and Dos Ocampo
Writer: Inna Salazar
Cast: Janus del Prado, Ketchup Eusebio, Odette Khan
Genre: Dark comedy/family light drama
Synopsis: A religious man who does petty crimes, Ponching, gets into a new venture—text scamming, thinking it will not really hurt anyone. One day, his seemingly “innocent” text scam accidentally cons a recipient into thinking he is the bastard child of their late relative.

“Dagsin (Gravity)“

Director/Writer: Atom Magadia
Cast: Tommy Abuel, Lotlot De Leon, Benjamin Alves, Janine Gutierrez, Sue Prado, Marita Zobel, Rolando Inocencio, Yoshihiko Hara, Arpee Bautista. Introducing Alex Diaz
Genre: Drama-suspense
Synopsis: After surviving the Death March, Martial Law and the loss of his legs, Justino became an atheist. But when his wife dies, a part of him is yearning to believe in life beyond death, just for a chance to be with her again. Searching for parts of her he can still hold on to, he devours her diaries for information into their past—opening a Pandora’s Box of secrets.

“Hiblang Abo”

Director: Ralston Jover / Writers: Ananias Estrella and Ralston Jover
Cast: Lou Veloso, Jun Urbano, Nanding Josef, and Leo Rialp; with Matt Daclan, Lui Manansala, Anna Luna, Angela Cortez, Mike Liwag, Flor Salanga, , Cherry Malvar, Rommel Luna, Rener Concepcion, Bernard Carritero
Genre: Drama
Synopsis: “Hiblang Abo” speaks volumes of muted memories and infinite struggles among four men in their twilight years, confined in a hospice facility or home for the aged. Their gray hair grows and fades unnoticed, their lives enter the void of oblivion. Everything unfolds so naturally into their swan song until their body pains and heartaches yield the same intensity, when their hearing and their feelings become permanently impaired; and when their blurry vision and memories become “clear” signs that the inevitable state of death is as fleeting as the vibrancy of life itself.

“I America”

Writer and Director: Ivan Andrew Payawal
Cast: Bela Padilla, Matt Evans, Elizabeth Oropesa, Thou Reyes, Joe Vargas, Lui Manansala, Sheena Ramos, Rob Rownd, Kate Bautista, Raflesia Bravo, Rhyzza Kafilas
Genre: Drama-comedy
Synopsis: “I America” is a dramedy about a complex half-Pinay, half-Caucasian lady looking for American living in Olongapo City (Philippines) who tries to get her passport and US visa in order to meet her father personally for the first time.

“Kusina (Her Kitchen)”

Director: David Corpuz
Writer-Director: Cenon Palomares
Cast: Judy Ann Santos, Luis Alandy, Joem Bascon, Gloria Sevilla, Therese Malvar, Bong Cabrera, Trina Legaspi, Czarina Yecla, Karen Gaerlan, Sarah Jane Biton, Elora Españo, Mike Liwag, Princess Ortiz, Criszha Mae Cruz, Yurianna Ashley Gracio, Kim Chloe Oquendo, Francis Grengia
Genre: Drama
Synopsis: “Kusina” (Her Kitchen) is the silent witness to the life and love of Juanita. It is her sanctuary, the place where she creates dishes for her family, her friends, even enemies and strangers. Through cooking, she gets to know the people around her, and in return, reveal herself to them.

https://youtu.be/tU8swtGKOyM

“Lando at Bugoy”

Writer and Director: Vic Acedillo, Jr.
Cast: Allen Dizon and Gold Azeron, with actors from Davao and Cagayan de Oro — Rachel Anne Ang Rosello, Maricar Semitara, Carlos Penaloza, Benjie Criss Estrella, Reynald Mangao, Camilo Apugan, Roger Gonzales
Genre: Drama
Synopsis: Disrespected by his teenage son, a 40-year-old high school dropout tries to solve this problem by returning to school which only makes his son hate him even more. Amidst the struggle between them, an unexpected event changes everything.

“Mercury is Mine”

Writer and Director: Jason Paul Laxamana
Cast: Pokwang and Bret Jackson, with Vincent de Jesus, Maey Bautista, Kristof Garcia, Leo Sarmiento, Justine Dizon, Bea Vega, Mitzi Ong, Waka Hasegawa, Uzziel Delamide
Genre: Drama-comedy
Synopsis: Carmen, a middle-aged cook, is about to close down her eatery at the foot of Mt. Arayat when a white American teenage boy named Mercury approaches her and begs for work in exchange of nothing but shelter.

“Pamilya Ordinaryo”

Writer and Director: Eduardo Roy, Jr.
Cast: Ronwaldo Martin and introducing Hasmine Kilip. Guest roles from Maria Isabel Lopez, Sue Prado, Erlinda Villalobos, Karl Medina, Menggie Cobarrubias, and Ruby Ruiz
Genre: Drama
Synopsis: Jane and Aries are teenage parents. They make a living out of stealing on the streets… until fate hits back at them.

https://youtu.be/B0MriM9lYSQ

“Tuos”

Director: Derick Cabrido
Writer: Denise O’Hara
Cast: Nora Aunor, Barbie Forteza, Flor Salanga, Ronwaldo Martin, Elora Españo, Ronnie Martinez
Genre: Drama
Synopsis: Pina-ilog (Nora Aunor) is chosen to be “Binukot”, a maiden who is the fairest among the women in her village. She is chosen to keep the traditions alive, memorizing and performing chants and dances. She is expected to pass the title and responsibility to her granddaughter Dowokan (Barbie Forteza). When the sanctity of the “tuos” becomes threatened, putting Dowokan in danger, Pina-ilog realizes that she cannot just stand aside. Pina-ilog finds herself coming face to face, literally, with the ghosts of tradition, which have shackled her into a life of solitary confinement.

*Ticket Prices (For CCP screenings only)

-Regular Screening Price: P150.00

-Student Price: P100.00 

-20% Discount for Senior Citizens, PWD and government employees 

*For ticket inquiries, please call the CCP Box Office at 832-3704 or 832-1125 loc. 1409.  Or, email at [email protected].