CCP TO ‘REBOOT’ CINEMALAYA
Said be a financially ailing endeavor, the movers behind this independent film festival weigh in on what the future holds
Said to be a financially ailing endeavor, the movers behind this independent film festival weigh in on what the future holds
Amid reports that Cinemalaya is facing financial challenges after mogul Antonio “Tonyboy” Cojuangco supposedly decided to stop subsidizing the decade- old film festival, Chris Millado, vice president and artistic director of Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) says they hope to go on next year. In fact, he says Cinemalaya is “underwiring, refreshing… we’re rebooting it.”
Millado is hesitant to give details, however, noting, “baka hindi matuloy
eh.” Still, he hinted that unlike in the old Cinemalaya system wherein filmmakers were only given a few months to complete their projects, there might be a “new pattern and new cycle to the scheduling” in 2015.
Millado said they are currently reviewing the past 10 years of the festival to glean better strategies and make it bigger and better. “Kasi we’re going international, that’s one thing. But ’ yun
lang muna,” he said. He said they are looking for possible partners to expand Cinemalaya and enable it to screen in more commercial theaters, apart from the Ayala cinemas.
As to reports that Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, through the Quezon City Film Development Commission ( QCFDC), is now “working closely” with Cinemalaya officials, Millado said, “It’s great that Quezon City is excited about being part of it and (have) expressed publicly their interest in it.” They hope this would result in additional funds “because that’s what we need.”
If there is one thing that Millado would want to assure Cinemalaya fans, it’s keeping the tradition alive. “Definitely, and in whatever form,” he said. “Whether it’s going to be at the CCP pa din or if it’s going to involve other venues.”
He maintained, “Basta we’re discussing details and we’d like to be prepared with (them) once we announce developments concerning Cinemalaya because we’re thinking of not only having one next year, we’re thinking of having it in the next 10 years.”
Whatever happens to Cinemalaya, Millado assured that the 46th anniversary of CCP next year, which carries the theme “Young, creative and innovative,” will still showcase several exciting events. The lineup includes “Beauty And The Beast” in January, Pasinaya Festival in February, “Marco Polo: An Untold Love Story” in March, National Rondalla, TP Summer Theater and Sayaw workshops in April, “Translational Narrations: Paperworks” in May and Virgin Labfest in June.
There’s also “Don Quixote” in July, the 2015 Thirteen Artists Awards Exhibition in August, Gawad CCP Para sa Sining in September, “Pangarap Sa Isang Gabi Ng Gitnang Tag-araw (A Midsummer Night’s Dream)” in October, “The Nutcracker” in November and “Peter Pan” in December.
For more info, visit www.culturalcenter.gov.ph.