The blossoming of an effeminate boy onscreen in 2005
coincided with the blossoming of the independent film industry in the
Philippines. Since then, filmgoers have equated the month of July with a
celebration of original works that reflect our uniquely Pinoy heritage.
The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival was founded in 2005 with the objective of discovering, encouraging and honoring the cinematic works of Filipino filmmakers that boldly articulate and freely interpret Filipino experiences with fresh insight and artistic integrity.
The annual film fest is open to filmmakers who have not yet directed a full-length commercial film and those who have directed not more than three full-length commercial films. Ten full-length films and ten short films compete for the awards given out by the selected jury members of Cinemalaya. The top winners receive an additional grant from Cinemalaya and also get to take home the coveted Balanghai trophy shaped like a Badjao boat.
Through this competition, film buffs gain access to narrative features that highlight Filipino identity and culture. Filmmakers have a venue to display their works and receive a substantial amount as seed grant from Cinemalaya Foundation, Inc.
For this top list, PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) focuses on the full-length feature films that won Best Film and Jury Prize awards during the past three editions of Cinemalaya. We pay tribute to these chosen Cinemalaya entries that have brought honor to the Philippines by showcasing the unique stories that Filipinos have to offer the world of cinema.
Best Full-Length Feature Film for 2005
Pepot Artista
Director: Clodualdo "Doy" del Mundo
Stage child actor Elijah Castillo brings life to the character of Pepot, a ten-year-old boy who is a film buff and aspires to be a movie star himself. In this comedy-musical, the dreamer Pepot is surrounded by people who are equally dazzled by the movie world. The film explores the penchant of Pinoys for entertainment in the midst of serious social problems.
Aside from winning Best Film in the full-length category in the first edition of Cinemalaya, Pepot Artista also won Best Editing for Daniel Adapon. A few months later, Elijah bagged the Best Actor Award during the Silver Screen Awards for the 19th Singapore International Film Festival 2006. It was also featured in the Asian Frescoes section of the eighth Osian-Cinefan Festival of Asian Cinema.
Jury Prize Winner for 2005
Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros
Director: Auraeus Solito
Another film starring a young boy took home top honors in Cinemalaya 2005. In Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros, Maxi (Nathan Lopez) is a 12-year-old effeminate gay boy who lives in the slums with his father and brothers who are petty thieves. He is attracted to a cop named Victor (J.R. Valentin) but he is torn between his loyalty to his family and his infatuation with the handsome officer of the law.
The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros won 15 international awards, including three awards at the Berlinale (The Teddy award, International Jury Prize at the Kinderfest and Special Mention from the Children's Jury of the Kinderfest). It is also the first Philippine film nominated for Best Foreign Film at the Independents' Spirit Awards in the U.S. The film had its U.S. debut at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival. It was also the official entry of the Philippines to the 79th Academy Awards (Hollywood Oscar) in March 2007 but it did not make it to the official list of nominees in the Best Foreign Language Film category. Maximo has sashayed across the big screen in over 50 film festivals around the world.
Best Full-Length Feature Film for 2006
Tulad ng Dati
Director: Mike Sandejas
In August 21, 1988, Teddy Diaz was stabbed by two hoodlums in Tatalon, Quezon City. He tried asking for help from his girlfriend who lived nearby but he died due to massive blood loss. His death left a huge dent in The Dawn but the remaining band members—Jett Pangan, JB Leonor, and Caloy Balcells—forged on. Eighteen years later, first-time director Mike Sandejas created a semi-biographical movie that adds elements of fantasy in the story of The Dawn.
Tulad ng Dati revolves around the character of Jett who has lost his passion for music and is on the verge of retiring from The Dawn. The vocalist of the band is assaulted by a burglar and goes into a coma. When he wakes up, he has lost his memories after the year 1988. He remembers that he is 20 years old and is at the peak of his career with The Dawn. Not satisfied with how things turned out with his life, he tries to change everything back to the way it used to be. The path he takes while finding his place in this strange new world proves to be a tough, emotional, and sometimes hilarious journey—accompanied by the celebrated music of The Dawn, both past and present.
This film on the rock band (international title: Just Like Before) also won Best Script and Best Sound at the 2006 Cinemalaya. It became the first Philippine entry to the New Currents Competition of the Pusan International Film Festival in South Korea. It was also short-listed in the Hawaii International Film Festival.
Jury Prize Winner for 2006
Batad: Sa Paang Palay
Director: Benji Garcia
A 14-year-old boy from Batad named Ag-ap (Alchris Galura) is forced to sell produce in the Banawe market to augment the family income. He dreams of a life in the city and yearns to have a pair of shoes to call his own. But when he finally gets the shoes he has worked so hard for, they begin to change his life in ways he could never imagine.
The touching story of a young boy who learns to appreciate his roots also won Best Screen Play (Vic Acedillo Jr.), Best Actor (Alchris Galura), and Best Production Design (Aped Santos and Lola Navarro) in Cinemalaya.
This movie shot in Batad, Ifugao province, has been screened in various film fests including the International Film Festival of Mumbai (also known as the Mumbai Academy of Moving Images), the Phuket Film Festival, and the Fukuoka Asian Film Festival in Japan. It was also part of the official selection of the Longbaugh Film Fest in Oregon, U.S.A.
Best Full-Length Feature Film for 2007
Tribu
Director: Jim Libiran
When Direk Jim accepted his award for Best Film in last year's Cinemalaya awarding ceremony, he prophesied that from the gangsters in Tondo will come the next National Artists. The 52 gangsters belonging to six warring gangs or "tribes" from Tondo proved that they could indeed make it when they bagged the Best Acting Ensemble Award in Cinemalaya.
The violent and graphic movie is the only Filipino film chosen to compete in the New Currents section of the 2007 Pusan International Film Festival in South Korea. Tribu also participated in the 58th Berlin International Film Fest held in Germany.
Its latest award is the Youth Jury Prize given during the 6th Paris Cinema International Film Festival held this July.
Jury Prize Winner for 2007
Endo
Director: Jade Castro
Endo shows the plight of the "end-of-contract" casual workers aptly played
by Jason Abalos and Ina Feleo. Leo's life is a series of terminable contracts
since he jumps from one temp job to another. Unable to finish school and forced
to be the family breadwinner, he lives his life on automatic mode until he
meets Tanya, a thoughtful co-worker who spends most of her time inspiring Leo.
But just as they are developing a close bond, Leo's ex-girlfriend suddenly
comes back into his life and Tanya gets the chance to work abroad. Will Leo be
able to find security and permanence in this unpredictable world?
This film from ufo Pictures competed in the Festival Des Trois Continents (Nantes 3 Continents International Film Festival) held in France last year.
During the awarding ceremony of Cinemalaya 2008 scheduled this Sunday, July 20, filmmakers and the general public will eagerly await the outcome in the hopes of fielding another set of Filipino films that will gain distinction in the international scene.