“See you, George!” a film about medical frontliners by director Mark Moneda, won the first prize award and Php 100,000 cash prize at the 6th Sorok Short Film Festival (SSFF). It also took home the honors for Best Director and Best Screenplay and an additional total of Php 20,000 cash prizes.
In the citation read by Philippine-based Korean entrepreneur Dr. Jae Jung Jang, the Founder and Chairman of organizer Sorok Uni Foundation, “See you, George!” was chosen as the best “for showing the modern-day heroes’ battle against the Covid-19 virus, and their strength to stand despite the loss.” In a statement posted on Facebook, the film’s director Mark dedicated his win to his “family, friends, province of Ilocos and fellow Ilocano filmmakers.”
Aside from “See You, George,” the Top 10 short films of the 6th SSFF included “Alpas” by Nathan Llantos, “Bigkas” by Justin Abejar and Robert Llobrera, “Lola Isa” by Daven Angulo, “Lupang Gitna” by Aireen Remoto, “Manunubli” by Ruzzel John Arzagon Palomillo, “Nandito Lang Naman Ako,” by Dexter Paul De Jesus, “Runner” by Jaime Aventurado, “Spaces” by Paul Santiago, and “Usad” by Billy Jake Cortez. These were deemed by jury members—namely: screenwriter and director Ms. Gina Marissa Tagasa (chairperson); TV & film actress Ms. Princess Punzalan; and filmmakers Ralston Jover, Arvin “Kadiboy” Belarmino, and international award-winning filmmaker, Direk Arjanmar Rebeta—as the ones that best embody the theme, “Pagbangon: Pagkapit, Paniniwala, Pag-Asa (Resilence: Strength, Faith, and Hope).”
“Nandito Lang Naman Ako” was chosen as second prize and “Manunubli” was chosen as the third prize, and the films received Php 50,000 and Php 30,000, respectively, as cash prizes.
Individual awards were also given to Erlinda Villalobos who won Best Performance and to the film “Bigkas” which was hailed as Viewers’ Choice through an online poll. Both got Php 10,000 each as a cash incentive.
Present at the virtual awarding ceremony were Sorok Uni Foundation Executives headed by Dr. Jae Jung Jang, the Founder and Chairman; Ms. Annabelle Llave, President and part of the Board of Trustees; and Ms. April Castillo, the Executive Director.
“Through this festival, we would like to give inspiration and bring hope to everyone. Always remember that you are not alone. Stick to God, belief in Him, let us lift one another, and share positivity to everyone”, Dr. Jang underscored in his opening remarks.
The Sorok Short Film Festival is organized by the Sorok Uni Foundation annually to promote Filipino cinema artists and advocate for social causes.
Festival director and jury chairperson Ms. Tagasa said that they want to widen their impact in the next editions. She said, “I love SSFF and we dream big. We are not only about the art of cinema, we strive to inspire the creation of content with positivity and good values.”
