CINEMALAYA RETURNS WITH ON-SITE SCREENINGS AT CCP

With the gradual return to the new normal, the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Cinemalaya Foundation, Inc. are enthusiastic about the IRL (in-real-life) screenings of full length and short feature films in competition this year.

For its 18th edition, Cinemalaya returns with on-site screenings of 11 full-length films and 12 short features in competition from Aug. 5 to 14, at various CCP venues. For the past two years, the country’s biggest independent film festival streamed consciousness and navigated the turbulent currents, anchoring on the online screenings of competing short features and exhibition films.

The full-length films in competition were the finalists selected for 2020 and 2021 editions of the film festival. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, they could not finish their filming.

This year, 11 full-length films vying for the coveted Balanghai trophies will break through the noise. They are: 12 Weeks by Anna Isabelle Matutina; Angkas by Rain Yamson; Bakit ‘Di Mo Sabihin? by Real Florido; Batsoy by Ronald Espinosa Batallones; Blue Room by Ma-an Asuncion-Dagńalan; Bula Sa Langit by Sheenly Gener; Ginhawa by Christian Paolo Lat; Kaluskos by Roman Perez Jr.; Kargo by TM Malones; Retirada by Milo Alto Paz and Cynthia Cruz-Paz; and The Baseball Player by Carlo Obispo.

For the short feature main competition, the finalists are: Ampangabagat nin Talakba ha Likol by Maria Estela Paiso; Black Rainbow by Zig Dulay; City of Flowers by Xeph Suarez; Dikit by Gabriela Serrano; Distance by Dexter Paul de Jesus; Duwa-Duwa by Nena Jana Achacoso; Kwits by Raz de la Torre; Mata Kang Busay by Nińo Maldecir and Cypher John Gayorgor; Mga Handum nga Nasulat sa Baras by Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay and Richard Jeroui Salvadico; See You, George! by Mark Moneda; Si Oddie by Maria Kydylee Torato; and Roundtrip to Happiness by Claudia Fernando.

The competing films will also be shown in select partner cinemas nationwide from Aug. 10 to 17. After that, Cinemalaya goes to the regions, with screenings in selected communities on Aug. 22 to 29.

For those who are still anxious to attend an in-person event, Cinemalaya will have an online run from Oct. 17 to 31 via CCP Vimeo account.

A major component of the film festival, the Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video, considered the longest-running independent film competition of its kind in the ASEAN region, will once again harvest the best films which will compete in various categories such as Short Feature/Narrative, Experimental, Documentary and Animation. Finalists from the different categories will be screened from Aug. 6 to 8 at the CCP Tanghalang Manuel Conde.

The Gawad Alternatibo Awarding will be on Aug. 13. The Cinemalaya Awards Night will be held on Aug. 14 at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater).

Not even the pandemic has stopped the Cinemalaya from discovering, encouraging and supporting the cinematic works of upcoming and veteran Filipino filmmakers who boldly articulate and freely interpret the Philippine experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity.

Since 2005, Cinemalaya has supported and promoted the production of Filipino full feature independent films and short films. Many of these films have won awards in local and international competitions and festivals. Through the annual festival, Cinemalaya has showcased over 1,000 works by independent filmmakers including full feature films, shorts, documentaries, Filipino film classics, and art films.

For more details, check out the CCP and Cinemalaya websites. Follow the CCP and Cinemalaya official social media accounts in Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.