Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival
Encyclopedia
The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival is a film festival
in the Philippines
held annually in the month of July at the Cultural Center of the Philippines
. Its aim is the development and promotion of Filipino
independent film
. The film festival is organized by the Cinemalaya Foundation, with the support of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Econolink Investments, Inc.
Each year, the Festival awards grants of Php
500,000 (USD 10,000~) to ten independent filmmakers. These ten "finalists" are culled from hundreds of submissions from all over the Philippines. Their films debut at the festival, together with in-competition short films, as well as various out-of-competition works.
The festival organizing committee is headed by veteran Filipino director and actress Laurice Guillen
. The organizers hope that through the festival, young filmmakers will be able to "express their own concepts freely and not be limited by the industry's present condition, where artistic integrity is sacrificed in the pursuit of commercial success."
, "What's your story?") showcased eight competing full-length entries and ten competing short films from July 11-20, 2008.
The full-length line-up consisted of:
Starring in the full-length entries were Filipino celebrities Mylene Dizon
, Eugene Domingo
, Tessie Tomas, TJ Trinidad
, Ryan Eigenmann, Baron Geisler
, Coco Martin
, Ces Quesada
, and Meryll Soriano. Adolfo Alix Jr.’s Adela opened the 2008 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.
In 2008, the finalist-filmmakers received an additional Php 100,000 from the Film Development Council of the Philippines, in addition to the Cinemalaya grant. Ranchero had been chosen to take part in the Paris Project of the Festival Paris Cinema in July.
In this edition, director-producer Pepe Diokno, at 21 years, became the youngest person to ever win a Cinemalaya grant. His film, Engkwentro also became Cinemalaya's most successful release, taking two major awards at the 2009 Venice International Film Festival, including the Lion of the Future - "Luigi de Laurentiis" Award for Debut Film and the Horizons Prize - Best Picture - with Diokno becoming the youngest Filipino to win at the world's oldest film festival.
Film festival
A film festival is an organised, extended presentation of films in one or more movie theaters or screening venues, usually in a single locality. More and more often film festivals show part of their films to the public by adding outdoor movie screenings...
in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
held annually in the month of July at the Cultural Center of the Philippines
Cultural Center of the Philippines
The Cultural Center of the Philippines is a government-owned and controlled corporation established to preserve, develop and promote arts and culture in the Philippines. The CCP was established through Executive Order No. 30 s. 1966 by President Ferdinand Marcos...
. Its aim is the development and promotion of Filipino
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
independent film
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
. The film festival is organized by the Cinemalaya Foundation, with the support of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Econolink Investments, Inc.
Each year, the Festival awards grants of Php
Philippine peso
The peso is the currency of the Philippines. It is subdivided into 100 centavos . Before 1967, the language used on the banknotes and coins was English and so "peso" was the name used...
500,000 (USD 10,000~) to ten independent filmmakers. These ten "finalists" are culled from hundreds of submissions from all over the Philippines. Their films debut at the festival, together with in-competition short films, as well as various out-of-competition works.
The festival organizing committee is headed by veteran Filipino director and actress Laurice Guillen
Laurice Guillen
-Early life and acting career:Guillen studied at St. Theresa's College, Cebu City, before working on a Masters in Mass Communication at Ateneo de Manila University, followed by a television production course under Nestor Torre, in 1967. She then began work as an actress, starring in productions of...
. The organizers hope that through the festival, young filmmakers will be able to "express their own concepts freely and not be limited by the industry's present condition, where artistic integrity is sacrificed in the pursuit of commercial success."
The 4th Festival 2008
The 2008 (4th edition) of the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival with theme Anong Kwento Mo? (FilipinoFilipino language
This move has drawn much criticism from other regional groups.In 1987, a new constitution introduced many provisions for the language.Article XIV, Section 6, omits any mention of Tagalog as the basis for Filipino, and states that:...
, "What's your story?") showcased eight competing full-length entries and ten competing short films from July 11-20, 2008.
The full-length line-up consisted of:
- 100 by Chris Martinez
- Baby Angelo by Joel Ruiz and Abi Aquino
- Brutus by Tara Illenberger
- Concerto by Paul Morales
- Huling Pasada by Paul Sta. Ana
- Jay by Francis Pasion
- My Fake American Accent by Onnah Valera and Ned Trespeces
- Ranchero by Michael Cardoz
- Namets!Namets!Namets! is a 2008 Filipino independent film directed by Jay Abello. The film was a finalist in the full-length feature category of the 2008 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival. The film's title is a play on the Hiligaynon word namit, which means "yummy" or "delicious".-Plot:Jacko Teves ...
by Jay Abello - Boses
Starring in the full-length entries were Filipino celebrities Mylene Dizon
Mylene Dizon
Mylene Lilibeth Dizon is a Filipina actress and model. She is a member of ABS-CBN's elite circle of homegrown talents properly named Star Magic, being an alumna of Batch 2...
, Eugene Domingo
Eugene Domingo
Eugene Domingo is a Filipina theater, movie and television actress. She is the only actress in the Philippine entertainment history to have participated in six films produced by eight different Filipino production companies...
, Tessie Tomas, TJ Trinidad
TJ Trinidad
TJ Trinidad is a Filipino actor.Trinidad studied at the Colegio de San Agustin and at De La Salle University where he took up Bachelor of Science in Commerce with a major in Marketing Management.In 2007 Trinidad was appeared in the music video I KNow single by Yasmien Kurdi.Trinidad appeared in...
, Ryan Eigenmann, Baron Geisler
Baron Geisler
Baron Frederick von Geisler is a Filipino actor, the son of a Filipina mother and a German American father who was stationed at the former U.S. military base in Angeles City...
, Coco Martin
Coco Martin
Rodel Luis Nacianceno , better known by his stage name, Coco Martin, is a critically acclaimed Gawad Urian Award-winning Filipino actor. He became famous for starring in many independent films, and was dubbed the Prince of Philippine Independent Films...
, Ces Quesada
Ces Quesada
Ces Quesada is a Filipino actress and also a TV host. She is currently signed with GMA Network.-Television:2011 Captain barbell Tiya lita GMA network-References:...
, and Meryll Soriano. Adolfo Alix Jr.’s Adela opened the 2008 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.
In 2008, the finalist-filmmakers received an additional Php 100,000 from the Film Development Council of the Philippines, in addition to the Cinemalaya grant. Ranchero had been chosen to take part in the Paris Project of the Festival Paris Cinema in July.
Jury
The jury members were:- Cesar MontanoCésar MontanoCesar Manhilot, known by his screen name Cesar Montano, is a multi-awarded Filipino actor and film director.He started in show business as a stuntman. He played roles in numerous B movies...
, film actor - Lito Zulueta, film critic and writer
- Ansgar Vogt, Berlin International Film FestivalBerlin International Film FestivalThe Berlin International Film Festival , also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events. It is held in Berlin, Germany. Founded in West Berlin in 1951, the festival has been celebrated annually in February since 1978...
programmer - Kim Ji-Seok, co-founder and program director of the Pusan International Film FestivalPusan International Film FestivalBusan International Film Festival , held annually in Haeundae-gu, Busan , South Korea, is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia...
- Max Tessier, Asian and Japanese cinema expert and artistic consultant for international film festivals, including the Cannes Film FestivalCannes Film FestivalThe Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
Cinemalaya Cinco 2009
In July 2009, the following ten finalists were screened:- 24K by Ana Agabin
- Ang Nerseri (The Nursery) by Vic Acedillo, Jr.
- Ang Panggagahasa Kay Fe by Alvin Yapan
- Astig (Mga Batang Kalye) by GB Sampedro
- Colorum by Jon Steffan Ballesteros
- Dinig Sana Kita by Mike Sandejas
- Engkwentro by Pepe DioknoPepe DioknoPepe Diokno is a Filipino motion picture director, producer and screenwriter.In 2009, he won the Venice Film Festival’s Lion of the Future Award for his debut film, Engkwentro...
- Last Supper No. 3 by Veronica Velasco and Jinky Laurel
- MangatyananMangatyananMangatyanan is a 2009 Filipino independent film directed by Jerrold Tarog. The film was a finalist in the full-length feature category of the 2009 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival....
(The Blood Trail) by Jerrold TarogJerrold TarogJerrold Tarog is a multi-awarded Filipino film director, composer, writer, editor, and sound designer. All three films he has directed - Confessional, Mangatyanan, and Senior Year - have been critically acclaimed, receiving numerous awards. His Short Film "Faculty" has become a viral hit on... - Sanglaan by Milo Sogueco
In this edition, director-producer Pepe Diokno, at 21 years, became the youngest person to ever win a Cinemalaya grant. His film, Engkwentro also became Cinemalaya's most successful release, taking two major awards at the 2009 Venice International Film Festival, including the Lion of the Future - "Luigi de Laurentiis" Award for Debut Film and the Horizons Prize - Best Picture - with Diokno becoming the youngest Filipino to win at the world's oldest film festival.