By Katrina Gracia Consebido
The Cinemalaya Film Festival has returned with its on-site screening with 11 full-length films and 12 short features set from August 5 to 14 in various venues at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
The COVID-19 pandemic hindered the country’s biggest independent film festival for over two years, which led them to hold “online screenings of competing short features and exhibition films.”
The film festival will showcase 11 full-length films and various film makers will “break through the noise” for the ‘Balanghai’ trophies.
The 11 full-length films are:
- “12 Weeks” by Anna Isabelle Matutina
- “Angkas” (The Backride) by Rain Yamson
- “Bakit ‘Di Mo Sabihin?” (Tell Her) by Real Florido
- “Batsoy” by Ronald Espinosa Batallones
- “Blue Room” by Ma-an Asuncion-Dagńalan
- “Bula Sa Langit” (Trigger) by Sheenly Gener
- “Ginhawa” (Solace) by Christian Paolo Lat
- “Kaluskos” by Roman Perez, Jr.
- “Kargo” by TM Malones
- “Retirada” (The Retiree) by Milo Alto Paz and Cynthia Cruz-Paz
- “The Baseball Player” by Carlo Obispo
The 12 finalists for short feature films in the main competition are:
- “Ampangabagat nin Talakba ha Likol” (It’s Raining Frogs Outside) by Maria Estela Paiso
- “Black Rainbow” by Zig Dulay
- “City Of Flowers” by Xeph Suarez
- “Dikit” by Gabriela Serrano
- “Distance” by Dexter Paul de Jesus
- “Duwa-Duwa” (The Play) by Nena Jana Achacoso
- “Kwits” (Quits) by Raz de la Torre
- “Mata Kang Busay” (Vision Of The Falls) by Nińo Maldecir and Cypher John Gayorgor
- “Mga Handum Nga Nasulat Sa Baras” (The Dreams That Are Written On The Sand) by Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay and Richard Jeroui Salvadico
- “See You, George!” by Mark Moneda
- “Si Oddie” by Maria Kydylee Torato
- “Roundtrip To Happiness” by Claudia Fernando
“The competing films will also be shown in select partner cinemas nationwide from August 10 to 17. After that, Cinemalaya goes to the regions, with screenings in selected communities on August 22 to 29,” Cinemalaya said in a post.
They will also hold an online screening from October 17 to 31 through the CCP Vimeo account.
The Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video is one of the major components of the film festival, and was considered to be the longest-running independent film competition in the ASEAN region.
Gawad Alternatibo finalists from various categories will be screened from August 6 to 8 at the Tanghalang Manuel Conde (CCP Dream Theater), while the awarding will be held on August 13.
The Cinemalaya 2022 Awards Night will be on August 14 at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo at the CCP Main Theater.
Cinemalaya served as an inspiration for Filipino filmmakers through encouraging and supporting their cinematic works by freely articulating their experiences with “fresh insight and artistic integrity.”
It has showcased over 1,000 independent works and has been supporting and promoting Filipino independent films since 2005, including those that have been awarded locally and internationally. – ag
