Film festival on inspiring stories of Pinoys launched

Vice President Leni Robredo has partnered with the Ayala Foundation for a short film festival focusing on inspiring stories of Filipinos around the world.

The competition is part of the Office of the Vice President’s Istorya ng Pagasa (INP) project, which marked its first year last Monday.

“We have a lot of plans still to bring the INP to different mediums because what we want is to saturate our environment with good stories,” Ro- bredo said during the project launch at the Ayala Museum.

“How beautiful it would be if what we will be talking about are inspiring stories of ordinary people who have touched our lives and inspire us more,” she said.

Ayala Foundation president Raul Maranan underscored the importance of looking into the stories of people “who perform regular roles in extraordinary ways and fashion.”

“Yes, there is so much goodness around us. We have just to remain open and hopeful. We just have to focus, believe, become, and belong to a community of doers,” he said.

The contest is open to the public, both professional and non-professional Filipino filmmakers, including those based overseas, Robredo said.

Entries, which should not exceed five minutes, must feature true stories of inspiration from ordinary citizens.

The OVP, through the INP, has been promoting hope and inspiration “amid a time of divisiveness,” through a travelling photo gallery that features the lives of Filipinos who have overcome adversities.

Submission of entries for the INP short film festival will be until Feb. 25, 2018.

The top 10 entries will be shown at a gala night on June 12, 2018, where three winners – including Best Film and two runners-up – will be announced.

The competition’s finalists will receive cash prizes and will get a chance to have their entries screened at Ayala Malls cinemas.

Mechanics and other details about the contest are available at