by Bon Labora
The entertainment and events industry were deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. But despite these circumstances, Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival continues to sail on its 16th year with its digital edition slated on August 7 to 16, 2020. A brave move as they will use different online platforms to “Stream Consciousness”.
Co-produced by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Cinemalaya Foundation Inc., this year’s film festival will feature Short Films in Competition.
Out of 244 entries submitted, 10 short films were selected and will vie for the Best Film award. These are: ANG GASGAS NA PLAKA NI LOLO BERT (THE BROKEN VINYL RECORD) by Janina Gacosta and Cheska Marfori; ANG PAGPAKALMA SA UNOS (TO CALM THE PIG INSIDE) by Joanna Vasquez Arong; EXCUSE ME MISS, MISS, MISS by Sonny Calvento; FATIGUED by James Robin Mayo; LIVING THINGS by Martika Ramirez Escobar; PABASA KAN PASYON by Hubert Tibi; QUING LALAM NING ALDO (UNDER THE SUN) by Reeden Fajardo; THE SLUMS by Jan Andrei Cobey; TOKWIFI by Carla Pulido Ocampo; and UTWAS (ARISE) by Richard Salvadico and Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay.
In Ang Gasgas na Plaka ni Lolo Bert, an old vinyl record alters a closeted gay man’s life. Meanwhile, memories catch up as a girl visits a ravaged port city in Ang Pagpakalma sa Unos.
Excuse Me Miss, Miss, Miss tells the story about a department store sales lady who unearths the ultimate secret to regularization; while Fatigued is about an employee who overslept and must wake-up from a nightmare.
Living Things is about a woman who discovers that her decade-long lover has turned into a cardboard standee. Pabasa kan Pasyon follows a Bicolano family that turns to religion to make both ends meet.
In Quing Lalam Ning Aldo, a transgender sampaguita farmer decides to renovate their neglected kitchen as soon as she hears that her son is going home. The Slums, on the other hand, follow a documentary team who progressively intervenes and trespasses into the lives of a poor family living in the slums as they try to cope with the loss of their TV.
In Tokwifi, a 1950s mestiza star, trapped inside a television that fell from the sky, dreams up a romantic romp with a Bontok Igorot man who does not know how to kiss. Meanwhile, Utwas narrates how a young boy discovers the ocean as he tries to learn how to dive and fish.
Aside from the main competition, the Cinemalaya will have a specially-curated Short Films in Exhibition, featuring 20 short films namely: Ang Meron Sa Wala (Beyond Nothing) by Arby and Christine Larano; Ang Nawalang Haligi (Pillar) by Sarah Mya Regacho; Dama De Noche by Lawrence Sibug; Grand Gestures by Cody Abad; Gulis (LINES) by Kyle Jumayne Francisco; Habak by Paolo Matibag and Mia Salisbury; Himagsik ng Hiwaga (Revolt of the Mystic) by Geoffrey Solidum; Igib by Joey Paras; Jepoy by Avid Liongoren; Kung Saan Patag Ang Bundok (Where The Horizon Meets The Mountain) by Dolliete Echon; OctoGod by Shievar Olegario; Paon by Seb Valdez; Pinakanakapagpapabagabag-Damdamin (Most Disturbing Feeling) by Jermaine Tulbo; Si Gloria at Si Juan by Gilliano Salvador; Sumasaiyo, (Yours truly,) by Jermaine Tulbo; Tarang (Life’s Pedal) by Arvin Alindogan Belarmino; and The Rooftop by Avirup Biswas.
Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video, the longest-running independent film and video competition in Asia, will also continue with its run this year. Visions of Asia, one of the major components of the film festival, will screen award-winning indie films from Asia.
Cinemalaya will also pay tribute to individuals who have made great contributions to the Philippine film industry – director Peque Gallaga and actress Anita Linda.
Screenwriter Ricky Lee, in partnership with Cinemalaya, will conduct a scriptwriting masterclass. There will also be a virtual reunion of his writing workshop alumni.
Don’t miss out on other Cinemalaya components such as the Cinemalaya Retrospectives, featuring past Cinemalaya films, and Cinemalaya Campus, among others.
Full-length Films will be missed this year as most filmmakers had issues with production due to restrictions caused by the pandemic. They will be showcased next year, so the next season will be a buffet of films.
Allied Festivals are Eigasai Japanese Film Festivals and Cine Europa that feature the groundbreaking films from Japan and Europe.
The country’s biggest independent film festival will be screened on Vimeo. Awarding and other live events will be streaming through the digital platform Kumu.
More updates about the details of programs and films can be accessed here.
