VP’s film fest program announces 15 finalists

The 15 finalists competing in the Istorya ng Pag-asa Film Festival, a project of the Office of the Vice President that features Filipinos with stories of inspiration and hope, have been announced.

Vice President Leni Robredo posted on her official Facebook account the trailers of the 15 out of 73 short films that will compete for the chance to be the INPFF grand winner.

The short films contending for the INPFF are diverse, with stories featuring a climbing puppeteer, professional archer with disability, and a young teacher from Ata Tribe in Negros.

Also included are the stories of a 12-year-old boy who dives for coins in a dirty Manila river, a certified bad boy, and hardworking student from the Philippine Science High School in Western Visayas, among others.

The OVP, which organized the INPFF in partnership with Ayala Foundation, Inc., said that three best short films will be selected from the 15 finalists at Cinema 6 of Glorietta 4 in Makati City.

They will be awarded in a gala night on June 12, Independence Day.

The winners will be decided by a jury of top filmmakers and industry experts that include Directors Quark Henares, Dan Villegas, and Doy del Mundo, veteran actress Shamaine Buencamino and Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chair Liza Diño.

The three winning films will be screened in all Ayala Mall Cinemas nationwide starting June 13 until June 30, OVP said.

The Best Film will be given R50,000 cash prize and a camera while the first and second runners up will receive

R30,000 and R20,000, respectively. Each one of them will also get a plaque.

There will be also special awards for Best Director, Best Script, and Best Editor.