The Cultural Center of the Philippines, in partnership with the Cinemalaya Foundation, presents the 13th edition of the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival – the most prestigious film festival in the country.
With nine (9) full-length feature films, twelve (12) short films, a numerous films (full-length, short and documentary) for exhibition (non-competition) from different film festivals, this year’s Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival is going to be the biggest yet.
The said film festival will run from August 4 to 13 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Theaters and select Ayala Malls (Glorietta, TriNoma, Greenbelt 3, UP Town Center, Marquee Mall and Fairview Terraces).
Coming-of-age thriller and official entry to the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino Birdshot by Mikhail Red will be this year’s opening film that will be screened at the CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater), August 4, 6:00PM.
Here’s your guide to the 13th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival:
THE FILMS IN COMPETITION:
1. ANG GURO KONG DI MARUNONG MAGBASA by Perry Escaño
When their teacher disappears, school children cradle guns in their arms instead of books.
Starring Alfred Vargas, Mon Confiado, James Blanco, Miggs Cuaderno, Micko Laurente, Marc Justin Alvarez
2. ANG PAMILYANG HINDI LUMULUHA by Mes de Guzman
Only the famous family that doesn’t weep can help reunite a desperate woman with her own.
Starring Sharon Cuneta, Moi Bien
3. BACONAUA by Joseph Israel Laban
After a turbulent squall in the night, villagers wake up to the astonishing sight of the sea that has turned red.
Starring Elora Españo, Teri Malvar, JM Salvado, Bembol Roco
4. BAGAHE by Zig Dulay
Raped and pregnant, an OFW rids herself of unwanted baggage on the flight back home.
Starring Angeli Bayani, Arnold Reyes
5. KIKO BOKSINGERO by Thop Nazareno
Kiko, an 11-year-old boy left aimlessly alone with his nanny after the recent death of his mother, rekindles a long lost relationship with his father in an attempt to find a new lease on life.
Starring Noel Comia Jr., Yayo Aguila & Yul Servo
6. NABUBULOK by Sonny Calvento
A husband takes flight when his wife goes missing.
Starring Gina Alajar, JC Santos, Billy Ray Galleon, Jameson Blake
7. REQUITED by Nerissa Picadizo
An ailing biker takes to the rail for one last adventure that pits him against nature and the woman he desires.
Starring Jake Cuenca, Anna Luna
8. RESPETO by Treb Monteras II
When an amateur rapper and a seasoned poet are thrown together in a moment of violence, they learn to write verses with new found clarity.
Starring Loonie, Abra, Dido dela Paz
9. SA GABING NANAHIMIK ANG MGA KULIGLIG by Iar Lionel Arondaing
A woman’s confession to murder hurls a priest and altar boy into a maelstrom of conflicting emotions and the need to be righteous.
Starring Angel Aquino, Jake Macapagal, Jess Mendoza, Mercedes Cabral, Anthony Falcon
THE SHORT FILMS
1. FATIMA MARIE TORRES AND THE INVASION OF THE SPACE SHUTTLE PINAS 25 by Carlo Francisco Manatad
Set during the launch of the first space shuttle of the Philippines – an ordinary old couple living in the suburbs attempts to go about their life during this strange day.
2. SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE by Carl Chavez
JOSHUA, a timid teenager, comes home one night after beaten up by the school’s bully. Feeling the urge to avenge himself, he decides to take matters into his own hands. But things don’t go as planned. Now, he is left with no choice but to seek help from his policeman father.
3. LOLA LOLENG by Che Tagyamon
A young woman goes back to her province in the countryside where she gets to once again meet her Grandmother Loleng – a distant relative and a senile parol (Christmas lantern) artisan. Together, they will explore Grandma Loleng’s landscape of memories, only to unearth her innermost secrets and wartime experiences. It is about memory and forgetting, both in the context of the personal and of the national consciousness.
4. ALIENS ATA by Glenn Barit
Two young brothers deal with the sudden loss of their father. Their overseas-filipino-worker mother goes back home for the funeral but will soon had to depart for work again. For kids, some things are hard to grasp that’s why they look at the sky for answers. Could it be aliens?
5. ISLABODAN by Juan Carlo Tarobal
Caloy, a lone, apathetic plastic bottle collector, gets caught in the middle of two warring gangs which changes his disposition in life forever.
6. MANONG NG PA-ALING by E. del Mundo
Manong ng Pa-Aling, directly translated as Man of Pa-Aling, is the incredible story of man’s natural relationship with the ocean. And amidst physical frailty, and of his age, Manong decides what he will do next after retiring from his only known profession, to be a fisherman.
7. BAWOD by TM Malones
8. HILOM by P.R. Patindol
9. JUANA AND THE SACRED SHORES by Antonne Santiago
10. MARIA by Jaime Habac Jr
11. NAKAUWI NA by Marvin Cabangunay, Jaynnus Olaivar
12. NAKAW by Arvin Belarmino, Noel Escondo
The closing film will be Adolfo Boringa Alix Jr.’s Pastor starring Phillip Salvador and Gina Alajar, with Rosanna Roces, Jason Abalos, Janine Gutierrez, Mark Neumann, and Mailes Kanapi. The film will premiere at the CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater), August 12, 6:15PM.
Tickets are priced at P150 each, P100 for students (present ID upon purchasing tickets).
For full schedules, you can check the official fan page of Cinemalaya at https://www.facebook.com/Cinemalaya/, or you can go to http://www.cinemalaya.org.