The 2009 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival will officially open this Friday, July 17, at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The Piolo Pascual-starrer Manila will be the opening film of Cinemalaya Cinco. Directed by Adolf Alix Jr. and Raya Martin, this twin-bill black-and-white film will have its regular run in cinemas nationwide starting July 22, 2009.
Now on its fifth year, this annual film fest will unveil 20 new digital films that will compete from July 17-26, 2009 at the CCP. Some 25 new independent films will also be premiered during the festival.
Ten films will compete in the full length category. These are 24K by Ana Agabin; Ang Panggagahasa kay Fe by Alvin Yapan; Astig by GB Sampedro; Colorum by Jon Steffan Ballesteros; Dinig Sana Kita by Mike Sandejas; Engkwentro by Pepe Diokno; Last Supper No. 3 by Veronica Velasco and
Jinky Laurel; Mangatyanan by Jerrold Tarog; Nerseri by Vic Acedillo Jr. and Sanglaan by Milo Sogueco.
Competing in the short film category are: Behind Closed Doors by Mark Philipp Espina, BLOGOG by Rommel "Milo" Tolentino, Bonsai by Alfonso "Borgy" Torre III, Hulagpos by Maita Lirra Lupac, Latus by John Paul
Seniel, Musa by Dexter Cayanes, Si Bok at ang Trumpo by Hubert Tibi, Tatang by Jean Paolo "Nico" Hernandez, Ugat sa Lupa by Ariel Reyes and Wat Floor Ma'am by Mike Sandejas and Robert Seña.
Winners of each category will be announced during the awarding ceremonies on July 26 at the CCP. The winner of the full length feature category will receive the Cinemalaya Balanghai trophy and an additional grant of 200,000. Each full length feature category finalist was given an
initial P500,000 production grant. The winner of the short feature
category will receive P100,000 and Cinemalaya Balanghai Trophy.
CCP President Nestor Jardin also informed PEP (Philippine Entertainment
Portal) that the winners of Best Picture, Best Jury Prize and Audience
Choice Award will also receive a post-production package for sound
mastering worth P300,000 from SQ Film Laboratories.
PEP was present when the Film Development Council of the Philippines
granted an additional P100,000 to the ten filmmakers of the full-length category during a brief ceremony held at the FDCP office earlier today, July 16.
Aside from the main competition entries, audiences can also look forward to watching the nine entries that will compete for the first Cinemalaya-NETPAC award to be given out in the Philippines. The Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC) award is given at select international film festivals to promote
Asian cinema by spotlighting exceptional films and discovering new
talents.
The films vying for the prestigious award in this sidebar competition are Aurora by Adolfo Alix Jr.; Baseco Bakal Boys by Ralston Jover; Bayaw by Monti Parungao; Boy by Auraeus Solito; Handumanan (Remembrance) by Seymour Barros Sanchez; Karera by Adolfo Alix Jr.; Latak by Jowee Morel; Prince of Cockfighting by Yeng Grande; and Walang Hanggang Paalam by Paolo Villaluna and Ellen Ramos.
Another major event of Cinemalaya Cinco is the Cinemalaya Film Congress
on July 21-22 at the CCP Little Theater. With the theme Linking Digital
Highways, the Cinemalaya Film Congress aims to discover the major centers
of independent filmmaking in the country, assess the artistic achievement
of cinematic works produced in the last five years, to invite filmmakers from the different regions to speak about the state of indie filmmaking in their areas, and to establish a network of indie filmmaking enters to consolidate all efforts to create, promote and market independently produced films both here and abroad.
Cinemalaya opens on July 17 and runs until July 26, 2009. Films will be
shown at all CCP venues, namely the Main Theater, the Little Theater,
Dream Theater, Tanghalang Huseng Batute, Silangan Hall and the MKP Hall.
This annual film festival is presented by the Cinemalaya Foundation, Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Film Development Council of the Philippines and Econolink Investments Inc. Cinemalaya is an all-digital film competition aimed at discovering new Filipino filmmakers.
Regular tickets are priced at P100 while students can buy tickets for
only P50. A day pass costs P300 (good for 5 screenings per day) while a
festival pass costs P1000 (can be used for all screenings).
For more information, please call the CCP Box Office at 832-3704 or
832-1125 local 1409. Tickets are also available at all Ticketworld
outlets and National bookstores at Tel No. 891-9999.
ONLINE PROMO. Lucky PEPsters will have the chance to win tickets to Cinemalaya 2009. Join the online promo by clicking HERE. Promo will run from July 16 - July 21, 2009, 11:59pm.
Here is the schedule of films competing in Cinemalaya Cinco:
24K by
Ana Agabin
This film takes a peek into the world of treasure hunting in the Philippines
19 July/Sun, 6:15PM at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
21 July/Tue, 12:45PM at Tanghalang Huseng Batute
22 July/Wed, 9:00PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)
23 July/Thu, 6:15PM at Tanghalang Huseng Batute
24 July/Fri, 9:00PM at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
25 July/Sat, 12:45PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)
26 July/Sun, 3:30PM at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)
ANG PANGGAGAHASA KAY FE by Alvin
Yapan
Caught between an abusive husband and an impotent lover, Fe has to decide.
21 July/Tue, 6:15PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)
18 July/Sat, 3:30PM at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)
19 July/Sun, 9:00PM at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
22 July/Wed, 12:45PM at Tanghalang Huseng Batute
23 July/Thu, 3:30PM at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
24 July/Fri, 12:45PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)
25 July/Sat, 3:30PM at Tanghalang Huseng Batute
ASTIG by GB Sampedro
Astig is an episodic tale of four young men whose stories parallel and contrast
with the landmarks and various images of Manila. It tells the stories of the tough guys of Manila
and their resolve to survive the dirt and filth of the "Distinguished and Ever Loyal
City."
18 July/Sat, 9:00PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)
19 July/Sun, 3:30PM at Tanghalang Huseng Batute
21 July/Tue, 3:30PM at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
22 July/Wed, 9:00PM at Tanghalang Huseng Batute
23 July/Thu, 6:15PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)
24 July/Fri, 12:45PM at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)
25 July/Sat, 6:15PM at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
COLORUM by Jon Steffan Ballesteros
A young cop working part time as an FX driver and a 70-year-old ex-convict embark on a road trip together when they become involved in an unfortunate accident.
18 July/Sat, 3:30PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)
19 July/Sun, 6:15PM at Tanghalang Huseng Batute
22 July/Wed, 9:00PM at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
23 July/Thu, 9:00PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)
24 July/Fri, 3:30PM at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
25 July/Sat, 12:45PM at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)
25 July/Sat, 6:15PM at Tanghalang Huseng Batute
DINIG SANA KITA by Mike Sandejas
The film is a love story between a Deaf boy who loves to dance and a troubled
rocker girl who abuses her hearing. Crossing paths in a Baguio camp that mixes Deaf and hearing kids,
both find that they have more in common with each other, including a love for
music.
18 July/Sat, 6:15PM at Tanghalang Huseng Batute
19 July/Sun, 12:45PM at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)
21 July/Tue, 9:00PM at Tanghalang Huseng Batute
22 July/Wed, 3:30PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)
23 July/Thu, 6:15PM at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
24 July/Fri, 12:45PM at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
25 July/Sat, 6:15PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)
ENGKWENTRO by Pepe Diokno
Richard is the leader of his
gang, "Bagong Buwan," while Raymond is just being inducted into rival
gang, "Batang Dilim." Complications arise during a deadly midnight engkwentro
(square-off), when Raymond is given the task of killing his older brother.
Meanwhile, the City Death Squad is hunting down Richard. Will they take
the younger brother, too?
18 July/Sat, 9:00PM at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
19 July/Sun, 6:15PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)
21 July/Tue, 6:15PM at Tanghalang Huseng Batute
22 July/Wed, 3:30PM at Tanghalang Huseng Batute
23 July/Thu, 12:45PM at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)
24 July/Fri, 9:00PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)
25 July/Sat, 9:00PM at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
LAST SUPPER NO.3 by Roni Velasco
& Jinky Laurel
Based on a true story, the film is a humorous look at the circuitous path our
legal system takes to justice. Assistant Production Designer Wilson Nañawa is
tasked to look for a Last Supper to use as a prop for a TV commercial. He finds
three, but loses the one owned by Gareth Pugeda. What happens next changes Wilson forever as he
spends the next two years entangled in bureaucracy and red tape facing charges of estafa
and serious physical injury.
18 July/Sat, 3:30PM at Tanghalang Huseng Batute
19 July/Sun, 3:30PM at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)
21 July/Tue, 3:30PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)
22 July/Wed, 3:30PM at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
23 July/Thu, 9:00PM at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
24 July/Fri, 6:15PM at Tanghalang Huseng Batute
25 July/Sat, 9:00PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)
MANGATYANAN by Jerrold Tarog
Working as a travel photographer, Laya Marquez is sent to Isabela to
capture a rare harvest ritual called Mangatyanan by the Labwanan tribe. But something happens that brings her face-to-face with her own
demons. Will she finally confront her past or will she keep running?
18 July/Sat, 9:00PM at Tanghalang Huseng Batute
19 July/Sun, 3:30PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)
21 July/Tue, 6:15PM at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
22 July/Wed, 12:45PM at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
23 July/Thu, 3:30PM at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)
24 July/Fri, 6:15PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)
25 July/Sat, 12:45PM at Tanghalang Huseng Batute
NERSERI by Vic Acedillo Jr.
Cocoy, 12, takes on a great responsibility of taking care of his older mentally challenged siblings
while his mother, Mai, is gone for two
weeks. In the end, he faces truth and life head-on as he
fights for his own sanity.
18 July/Sat, 6:15PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)
19 July/Sun, 12:45PM at Tanghalang Huseng Batute
21 July/Tue, 12:45PM at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
23 July/Thu, 3:30PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)
24 July/Fri, 9:00PM at Tanghalang Huseng Batute
25 July/Sat, 3:30PM at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)
26 July/Sun, 3:30PM at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
SANGLAAN by Milo Sogueco
A light, funny poignant and very Pinoy story about hope and redemption. It tells the story of a religious businesswoman who is afraid of old age; a timid girl hopelessly in love with a high school crush; a security guard whose wife
has a fragile heart; a charming and mysterious seaman just passing through and a loan shark who won't take "no" for an answer.
18 July/Sat, 12:45PM at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)
19 July/Sun, 9:00PM at Tanghalang Huseng Batute
21 July/Tue, 9:00PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)
22 July/Wed, 6:15PM at Tanghalang Huseng Batute
23 July/Thu, 12:45PM at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
24 July/Fri, 3:30PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)
25 July/Sat, 3:30PM at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
The CINEMALAYA/NETPAC Premieres
AURORA by Adolfo B. Alix, Jr.
18 July/Sat, 6:15PM at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)
BASECO BAKAL BOYS by Ralston Jover
19 July/Sun, 6:15PM at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)
BAYAW by Monti Parungao
21 July/Tue, 9:00PM at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)
BOY by Auraeus Solito
24 July/Fri, 6:15PM at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)
HANDUMANAN by Seymour Sanchez
22 July/Wed, 9:00PM at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)
KARERA by Adolfo B. Alix Jr.
23 July/Thu, 6:15PM at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)
LATAK by Jowee Morel
23 July/Thu, 9:00PM at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)
PRINCE OF COCKFIGHTING by Yeng
Grande
18 July/Sat, 9:00PM at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)
WALANG HANGGANG PAALAM by Paolo
Villaluna & Ellen Ramos
25 July/Sat, 6:15PM at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)
The Cinemalaya 2009 Shorts:
COMPETITON SHORTS PROGRAM A:
Musa by Dexter Cayanes, Behind Closed Doors by Mark Philipp Espina, Tatang by
Jean Paolo Nico Hernandez, Hulagpos by Maita Lirra Lupac, Wat Floor Ma'am by
Mike Sandejas & Robert Sena
18 July/Sat, 6:15PM at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
19 July/Sun, 9:00PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)
21 July/Tue, 3:30PM at Tanghalang Huseng Batute
22 July/Wed, 6:15PM at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
23 July/Thu, 12:45PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)
24 July/Fri, 3:30PM at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)
25 July/Sat, 9:00PM at Tanghalang Huseng Batute
COMPETITON SHORTS PROGRAM B:
Ugat sa Lupa by Ariel Reyes, Si Bok at ang Trumpo by Hubert Tibi, Latus by John
Paul Seniel, Blogog by Rommel "Milo" Tolentino, Bonsai by Alfonso
"Borgy" Torre III
18 July/Sat, 12:45PM at Tanghalang Huseng Batute
21 July/Tue, 9:00PM at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
22 July/Wed, 6:15PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)
23 July/Thu, 9:00PM at Tanghalang Huseng Batute
24 July/Fri, 6:15PM at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
25 July/Sat, 3:30PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)
26 July/Sun, 12:45PM at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)