CineKasimanwa filmfest underway

ROXAS CITY – This year’s CineKasimanwa: Western Visayas Film Festival got off the wraps on Saturday.

The sixth edition of the annual CineKasimanwa, the brainchild of Ilonggo director Elvert Bañares, is premiering 100 new films by independent filmmakers from Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo and Negros Occidental.

Bryan Mari Argos, Roxas City Tourism Officer told the Manila Bulletin that a selection of films by Capiz filmmakers touches particularly on the unique culture of the province.

Capiz Tourism Officer Al Tesoro added that national and foreign films will also be screened until December 12.

Fifteen selected films are also going to be shown as part of the Western Visayas Film Grants Competition, which has funding from the regional office of the Department of Tourism.

“CineKasimanwa is a great platform in promoting the promising destinations of Western Visayas and discovering the talents of Western Visayans,” said DOT-6 Regional Director Helen Catalbas.

This is the first time that CineKasimanwa is held outside of Iloilo City, the regional capital.

Meanwhile, the Western Visayas Filmmakers Network is planning to bring CineKasimanwa to other parts of the region yearly to be able to reach out to a wider audience.