Catch the final rays of Sinag Maynila
THE fourth year of independent opened on Friday, March 9, following a launch led by its CEO and founder Wilson Tieng and interna co- founder Brillante Mendoza at The Block in SM City North Edsa.
The pair of movie pillars [Tieng is the moving force behind Solar Entertainment, while Mendoza, who also serves as festival director, is credited for bringing his titles around the world] expressed their gratitude for the unwavering support of the entertainment industry, the festival’s sponsors opportunity to bring their artistic storytelling to a wider audience, and ultimately, to the international stage in March 2015.
A joint project of Solar Entertainment, Centerstage Productions, and the SM Malls, Tieng and Mendoza reiterated that the festival further seeks to inspire, educate, and enlighten the viewing public by featuring - culture, while presenting social issues deserving of discussion among audiences here and abroad.
Ongoing until March 15 in selected SM Cinemas within Metro Manila [ SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM City North EDSA, SM City Fairview, SM Southmall, SM City Bacoor, SM City Manila, - ists for the Full-length Category are “Abomination” by Yam Laranas, “Bomba” (The Bomb) by Ralston Jover, “El Peste” by Richard Somes, “Melodrama/ Random/ Kiko Matos of short film finalist ‘Firestarter’ Melbourne” by Matthew Victor Pastor, and “Tale of the Lost Boys” by Joselito Altarejos.
For the Short Film Category, the finalists are “Cesar & Magda” by Pamela Barrios, “Firestarter” by Jill
‘Bomba ( The Bomb)’ writer and executive producer Dennis Evangelista (left), director Ralston Javier (2nd from left), and cast members Angeline Nicholle Sanoy (4th from left), Romeo Lindain (2nd from right) and Allen Dizon, with Tieng and Mendoza
Documentary category finalist, director Albert Almendralejo for ‘Journeyman Finds Home’ Urdaneta, “Halusinasyon” by John Agcalis, “Kalye FM” by Tom Nava, “Pompoms” by Angelo Amar and “Duwende” by Odin Fernandez.
- mentary Category include “Amamma” by Dexter Macaraeg, “Halaga” by Vandam Arambulo, “Journeyman” by Albert Almendralejo, “Mahal” by Janine Santos, “Tsuper” by Rina Abary and “Voltaire” by Jaimee Bernardo.
It was also announced at the launch that in celebration of 100 years of Philippine Cinema, Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival 2018 has partnered with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and CineLokal. As such, special activi- With ‘El Peste’ director Richard Somes and lead actor Mon Confiado ties have been lined up within the festival dates, one of which was Saturday’s Sinag Maynila Forum, enthusiasts the opportunity to - making, the promotion of French cinema, and cultural exchanges at international film festivals. The speakers were comprised of Unifrance Korea and South East Asia Representative Jeremy Segay, Tokyo Film Festival (TIFF) Festival Director Festival Takeo Hisamatsu, and Mendoza, who shared the story behind the making of his award-winning title, “Ma’ Rosa.”
As of press time, Sinag Maynila’s Gabi ng Parangal has been set for Sunday, March 11 at Conrad Hotel Manila, the winners of which will be uploaded today at TheManila Times website.