The Philippine Online Chronicles

The 6^th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival culminated yesterday night at the CCP Main Theater through the recognition of this year’s best independent directors.

Unlike the previous festivals, this year’s Cinemalaya, an all-digital film festival, featured a set of famous directors. Other firsts include setting HD or high definition as a minimum requirement and having more awards.

Old names trying new things

Instead of exclusively featuring young independent directors, the organizers decided to have a Directors Showcase and a New Breed category to feature both mainstream directors making independent films and new names of full-length and short-film makers.

In an article early this July, BusinessWorld’s Jeffrey Valisno narrated how veteran directors had approached competition director Laurice Guillen to ask if they would be accommodated in the festival. This year, Cinemalaya finally created the new category Directors’ Showcase for filmmakers who have released at least three commercial films.

Those competing under the Directors’ Showcase were Joselito Altajeros for Pink Halo-Halo, Joel Lamangan for Sigwa, Mark Meily for Donor, Mario O’ Hara for Ang Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio, and Gil Portes for Two Funerals.

More awards

Instead of only giving out the Best Film award, the organizers decided to hand out a full set including acting awards and technical citations. These include Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography and Best Editing.

To help the directors, a seed production grant of P500,000 was presented to each of them. The Best Film received P300,000.

New Voices

Under the New Breed category, those competing for full-length film were Halaw by Sheron Dayoc, Limbunan by Gutierrez Mangansakan II, Magkakapatid by kim Homer Garcia, Mayohan by Dan Louie Villegas and Paul Sta. Ana, Rekrut by Danny Anonuevo, Sampaguita by Francis Xavier Pasion, Si Techie, Si Teknoboy at si Juana B. by Arthur Katipunan, The Leaving by Ian Dean Lorenos, and Vox Populi by Dennis Marasigan.

They were chosen among 119 entries and received a production grant of P500,000. The Best film will receive a prize of P200,000.

Competing for the Short Film category were Boca by Zurich Chan, Breakfast with Lolo by Steven Flor, Dalaw by Janus Victoria, Despedida by Borgy Torre, Faculty by Jerrold Tarog, Harang by Mikhail Red, Hay Pinhod Oh Ya Scooter (I want to have a bicycle) by Hubert Tibi, Lola by Joey Agbayani, P by Milo Tolentino and Wag kang Titingin by Pam Miras.

Running for a maximum of 20 minutes, the Best Short Feature Film received P100,000.