Sinag Maynila 5 opened last Wednesday, April 3, 2019, at the Podium cinemas with “Lakbayan” a three-part omnibus film by National Artist Kidlat Tahimik, Brillante Mendoza, and Lav Diaz — all of whom are awardees at the Berlin International Film Festival and have made their marks in several international film fests.
Now on its fifth year, Sinag Maynila, continues to showcase quality and thought provoking full length movies, documentaries, and short films from young, non-mainstream Filipino filmmakers from April 3 to 17 at selected SM Cinemas.
A joint project of Solar Entertainment, Centerstage Productions, and SM, the festival seeks to inspire, educate, and enlighten the viewing public. In its fifth year of providing independent filmmakers a brand- new platform to showcase their stories, Sinag Maynila will feature three competition sections, noteworthy international exhibition films and a variety of cinema-related activities.
The roster of finalists, which were presented during the recent press conference in the Podium was handpicked by Sinag Maynila CEO and Founder Wilson Tieng and world-renowned and internationally acclaimed film director Brillante Ma Mendoza. These include full-length five features: “Akin ang Korona” by Zig Dulay, “Jesusa” by Ronald Carballo, “Jno To Mari’ by Joselito “Jay” Altarejos, “Pailalim” by Daniel Palacio, and “Underground” by Ralston Jover
The finalists for the Documentary category includes “At Home: by Arjanmar H. Rebeta, “Entablado” by Lie Rain Clemente and Nori Jane Isturis,
“Hope Sports” by Joseph Dominic Cruz, “Hyatt: Mga Kwento, Lihim at Katotohanan” by Jayvee V. Biscuit, and “Tata Pilo” by Dexter Macaraeg.
Competing in the short film category are “Bisperas” by Raph Quincena, “Dana Jung” by John Rogers, “Dude Pare Bro” by Lora Cerdan, “Kiss” by HArlene Bautista, “Kilos” by Marjon Santos, “Marian” by Patrick Lim, “Memories of the Rising Sun” by Lawrence Fajardo, “Nagmamahal, Sal” by Jeff Subrabas, “Ngiti ni Nazareno” by Louie Ignacio, and “Panaghoy” by Alvin Baloloy.
Winners of the competition will be announced at the Gabi ng Parangal to be held on Sunday, April 7.
True to its mission of bringing “sine lokal, pang-international,” Sinag Maynila has become an important pathway for Filipino Films artists to communicate their stories, and an irresistible opportunity for enthusiasts to watch unique and exciting films.
Sinag Maynila 5 will also feature a forum on Saturday, April 6 at SM City North EDSA with speakers Ms. Joanne Goh, Chairman of the Malaysia International Film Festival and Young-woo Kim, Programmer for the Busan International Film Festival.
Other workshops include an environmental film screening and forum with resource speaker Fiona Faulkner, Environmental and Community Development Officer of The Plastic Solution as well as a Film Editing workshop to be conducted by Mr. John Anthony Wong, Managing Director of Edge Manila Creatives Corporation. These will take place on April 12 at Solar Century Tower.
Finally, Sinag Maynila closes with the film “Journey”, an Asian Three-Fold Mirror project by the Japan Foundation on April 8 at The Podium.
Sinag Maynila 5 is presented by McDonald’s and Co-presented by Nissan. In partnership with the Film Development Council of The Philippines (FDCP), and in celebration of 100 years of Philippine cinema. Special thanks to: The Plastic Solution, Cinema 76 Film Society, Black Maria Cinema, Edge Manila Creatives.
SM and SM Cinema is the official event venue partner. For more information, log on to http://www.sinagmaynila.com and http://www.facebook.com/SinagMaynila/ and follow @SinagMaynila on Twitter and Instagram.