Abrenian Heritage film fest expands its reach for 2nd edition

Scene from the opening film “Lapat”

With film festivals going online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 18 indie filmmakers have joined the second edition of the Abrenian Heritage Film Festival, which carries the theme “One province, one region, together at home.”

Originally intended for filmmakers based in Abra and the Cordilleras, the Abrenian Heritage Film Festival 2020 Online Cinema has opened its submissions to artists from Regions 1 and 2, as well as from Metro Manila, “to encourage creativity in filmmakers in capturing their quarantine experiences,” said Sine Abreño founder and festival director Dexter Macaraeg.This year’s jury members are Frank G. Rivera, Sari Dalena, Rene Sanchez Napeňas, Arvin Kadiboy Belarmino, King Abalos and Daniel R. Palacio.

All films are available for online viewing until today on the Abrenian Heritage Film Festival official YouTube channel and Facebook page.

Winners of the Gawad Sine Abreño Wired Camera trophy, inspired by the “bamboo camera” of National Artist for Film Kidlat Tahimik and designed by Mailagay Lito, will be announced today, Macaraeg declared.

This year’s opening film, Casserene Bagioan Fernandez and Dine Yve Daganos’ “Lapat,” is a 16-minute documentary about the Tingguian resource management, which protects premium trees, wildlife and freshwater resources in Abra Province, Maracaeg reported.

Dexter Macaraeg, founder and festival director

To be featured in a section called “Cordillera Focus” is King Abalos’ documentary “Kidlat Tahimik: Defining Our Origins,” which is an introspection of the works of Tahimik, who is also considered the father of Philippine independent cinema.

Also part of the said section is Macaraeg’s “Ako ay Isang Kordilyeran,” which is a five-minute documentary on being a Cordilleran. “This will be its first festival screening,” Macaraeg reported. “It was also shown at the 33rd founding anniversary of the Cordillera Administrative Region on July 15.”

The following are featured in the short film category: Rolando Inocencio’s “Oranje,” Rey Coloma’s “Tal-Talon” (Farm), Francis Balderas’ “Toys Choices and Pandemic,” Raymond Rinoza’s “Wake-Up Call,” Michael Daya’s “Kulong the Lockdown Story,” Edmar delos Santos’ “Patapaya” and John Remel Flotildes’ “Full Storage,” Kristine Angel Cerva’s “Agape,” Ann Michelle Mailed Espelimbergo’s “Ninlapu Ken Magsawi,” Scarlet Mendoza’s “Sa Apat na Sulok,” Julius “JC” Calera’s “Stay At Home/Stay At Hope” and RM Cruz’s “Kakaba Kabataan.”

The six featured documentary films are as follows: Melver Ritz Gomez’s “Abel Paoay,” MJ Racadio’s “Stay Home,” Jacinto Bose’s “ASAR,” Ed Patenio de Leon’s “Portero,” Edmar delos Santos’ “Inkami Agklasen” and James Merquise’s “3 Minutes, 2 Mukha ng Buhay.”

The two invitational films from Batanes and Baguio City, respectively, are Carlo Balasbas Tarobal’s “A Love Letter” and Jonnie Lyn Dasalia’s “Kapia” (Peace) Quarantine Life in Baguio.”