FINDING FREEDOM IN FILMMAKING

Vincent Sandoval is only 30 years old, but the films he directed have already received global acclaim. His first film, Señorita, has screened in nearly two dozen notable film festivals in Greece, Morocco, South Africa, around Europe and the United States. Vince’s most recent film, Aparisyon, stars Mylene Dizon and Jodi Sta. Maria and has screened in Malaysia, Busan, India, and has already been awarded in Hawaii, Manila and France.

Vince says, “Making a movie is pretty much creating your own world even if it’s make-believe; it’s like being transported to a different reality.” Growing up, Vince was always fascinated by the movies. As a student, Vince knew deep down that he wanted to be a filmmaker, but he also felt like he should be pursuing “a more traditional career like everyone else because it’s the safer, more financially secure path.” Being a “filmmaker” or an “artist” seemed like self-indulgence and not a serious, grown-up pursuit. Vince graduated from the University of San Carlos in Cebu, then was based in Manila for a time working for a large multinational company.

But Vince’s passion for filmmaking couldn’t be contained. In 2005, he left his job to pursue an MBA at New York University (NYU), specializing in Marketing and Media & Entertainment. He intended to grow his credentials in business and marketing while integrating himself into New York’s dynamic film scene. After graduating from NYU, he worked for a magazine as well as an independent film distributor in SoHo. A year later, he co-founded IndioBravo Film Foundation, which aims to promote independent Filipino cinema. Shortly after that, Vince decided to shoot Señorita, and then Aparisyon the following year.

Living in New York has freed Vince in many ways. “You’re surrounded by creative types and artists, and that emboldens to take a leap yourself and pursue your passions.” Although Vince has been in New York for eight years, there’s still a fictional version of it that exists in his imagination. “Being in New York is like shooting a movie of your own life 24/7, and the whole city’s your set.”

In 2009, Vince wrote, directed and acted in

Señorita. The short film was an official selection in 20 international festivals, most notably the Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner in 2010. It also played in Vancouver, San Francisco, Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Rome. In 2011, Vincent developed the short film into his first narrative feature, which had its world premiere in competition at the 64th annual Festival del Film Locarno, becoming only the third Filipino feature to compete at the festival.

Aparisyon has been invited to screen in July at the Museum of Modern Art (Moma) in New York, widely considered to be one of the world’s most prestigious art institutions and film venues. The exposure at Moma will help generate interest in Vince’s next project, his English language debut to be shot in New York.

Vince advises filmmakers who are starting out: “Expose yourself to as many and as diverse kinds of films as you can, and seek out new experiences. These two will shape the form and substance of your films and are quite possibly the best film school you will ever go to.”

Despite his growing international success, Vince misses Cebu, with his mom, childhood friends and classmates still based here. It may not be long before Vince Sandoval, multi-award-winning filmmaker and Cebuano, will be back in his home city enjoying his much-missed ngohiong beside USC Main and barbecue at Larsian.