SCENE from Imee Marcos and Nelson Caguila’s “Pintakasi”

New wave hits the MMFF.

Following “intense viewing and deliberation of 33 entries,” the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) has finally chosen 15 works included in its New Wave-Independent section, which is further divided into two competition divisions—Full Length and Student Short.

In the Full Length section, the following made the top five: Adolfo Alix Jr.’s “Haruo,” Yeng Grande’s “Ritwal,” Neal Tan’s “HIV,” Ogie Diaz and Sid Pascua’s “Dyagwar” and Imee Marcos and Nelson Caguila’s “Pintakasi.”

For the Student Short section, 10 entries made the final list: La Salle Lipa’s “Payaso,” Asia Pacific Film Institute’s “Adivino,” Ateneo de Naga University’s “Sanayan Lang ang Pagpatay,”

BOOM Labrusca in Ogie Diaz and Sid Pascua’s “Dyagwar”

College of St. Benilde School of Digital Arts’ “Biyahe ni Barbie,” International Academy of Film and Television Cebu’s “Oras,” Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s “Mate,” Southville International School’s “I See Everything,” Mapua MAS’s “Bagong Ligo,” Miriam College’s “Speechless” and Pixel Art/La Consolacion College’s “Ulan.”

Filmmaker Mark Meily, chairman of the MMFF independent film section, told the Inquirer that all the finalists, including the student shorts, were of “high quality.”

“Cinematography and acting were on the professional, if not international, level,” said Meily. “But what struck us were the subject matters tackled by the filmmakers. They chose themes that are mature and very relevant to our times.”

Pet project

Meily noted that the entries were picked “based on content (which includes choice of subject, story and screenplay) and high technical standards (cinematography, sound, design, etc.).”

He recalled that the MMFF selection committee was pleased that it had received entries from as far as Cebu and Naga.

“Originally, there were 15 full-length films and 18 short films submitted. Some entries were shot by high-school students,” Meily said. “It was difficult to narrow down the list because the filmmakers’ command of the visual language was impressive.”

JACKY Woo and Rosanna Roces in Adolfo Alix Jr.’s “Haruo”

From the lineup, the best independent feature and best student film, along with the most gender sensitive film, will be chosen.

Gala premiere is on December 17 and screenings will follow until December 21 at Robinsons Galleria.

The indie section is a pet project of Francis Tolentino, chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, which spearheads the annual festival.

Tolentino pointed out that it is only appropriate to include a New Breed section in the MMFF as indie films have been winning awards and accolades in festivals here and abroad.