MANILA, Philippines - The 2010 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and Competition is now accepting entries to the new Open Full-Length Feature category. Deadline for submission of entries to this category has been extended to Oct. 16. Entries are being accepted at the CCP Media Arts Division, fourth floor, CCP Main Building, CCP Complex, Pasay City.

The new section is open to Filipino filmmakers who have directed at least three full-length commercial feature films.

Entries to be submitted must be strictly independent works. Works already in production prior to July 31, 2009 are disqualified. Applicants must submit a duly completed application form, a one-page synopsis, detailed sequence treatment, brief resume and samples of previous film/video work in DVD. Interested parties may submit a maximum of three entries.

Five finalists will be selected and announced on Dec. 1. The five finalists will be awarded a seed production grant of P500,000 from The Grassroots Film Production and Distribution Inc. plus an additional P100,000 post-production grant. These five final entries will be screened during the festival week from July 9 to 18, 2010. The winner will receive a prize of P300,000 and the Balanghai Trophy.

Cinemalaya has two major competition categories, namely the Full-Length Feature category and the Short Feature category. The 2010 Cinemalaya will be held from July 9 to 18, 2010 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). Awards for all categories will be given on July 18, 2010 at the CCP. The Best Full-Length Feature film will receive a prize of P200,000 and the Balanghai Trophy. The Best Short Feature film will receive a prize of P100,000 and a Balanghai Trophy.

Cinemalaya was established in 2005 for the purpose of giving recognition to the best short film and full-length feature film in digital video format. The competition seeks to discover, encourage and honor the cinematic works of Filipino filmmakers that boldly articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity.

Cinemalaya is a project of the Cinemalaya Foundation Inc., in partnership with the CCP, The Grassroots Film Production and Distribution Inc., and Film Development Council of the Philippines.

Application forms may be downloaded at www.culturalcenter.gov.ph. For information, call the CCP Media Arts Division at 832-1125 local 1704/05.