The Sinag Maynila Film Festival 2024 gets a boost from cinemas and partners as the festival’s finalist-films will be screened in 12 cinemas in Metro Manila from September 4-10, 2024. Moreover, the festival organizers have pegged the price of admission at only Php 200 per ticket. Official partner venues are Gateway (2 cinemas), Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Manila, SM Fairview, SM Mall of Asia, SM Manila, SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, SM Southmall, SM Sta. Mesa and Market Market.
Sinag Maynila is the independent film festival competition founded by Solar Entertainment President Wilson Tieng and Cannes International Film Festival Best Director Brillante Mendoza which showcases works that banner the “Sine Lokal, Pang-International” advocacy. The filmfest was established in 2015. This year marks the return of Sinag Maynila after a four-year break due to the pandemic.
“We are thankful to our official partner venues for giving space to our finalist films and for supporting our initiative to make the ticket price more affordable,” says Mr. Wilson Tieng. “Indeed the cinemas, along with our other supporters such as the City of Manila, are making significant contributions for the development of Philippine independent cinema and the growth of the Filipino film market.”
Vying for awards are the following official finalists:
For the full-length feature films, these are “The Gospel of the Beast” by Sheron Dayoc starring Janssen Magpusao and Ronnie Lazaro; “Her Locket” by J.E. Tiglao starring producer-lead actress Rebecca Chuaunsu and Elora Españo; “Banjo” written, directed and starring Bryan Wong; “Maple Leaf Dreams” written and directed by Benedict Mique and starring Kira Balinger and LA Santos; “What You Did” by Joan Lopez Flores starring Tony Labrusca, Mary Joy Apostol, Epy Quizon, Mercedes Cabral and Ana Abad Santos; “Salome” by Gutierrez Mangansakan II with Perry Dizon, Tommy Alejandrino, and Dolly de Leon in the cast; and “Talahib” (Legend of the Tall Grass) by Alvin Yapan starring Joem Bascon, Gillian Vicencio and Kristof Garcia.
The finalists in the documentary category are “Ghosts of Kalantiaw” by Chuck Escasa, “Ino” by Ranniel Semana, “Natatanging Palayok” (The Exceptional Pot) by Ein Gil Randall S. Camuñas, “Pag-Ibig Ang Mananaig” (Love Will Prevail) by Jenina Denise A. Domingo, “Panatag” (Tranquil) by Allan Lazaro, “Untitled/ Unfinished” by Matthew Victor Pastor, and “Way of the Balisong” by Paul Factora.
Finalists in the short film category are “14 Days” by Nars Santos, “Ang Maniniyot ni Papa Jisos” (Father Jisos’ Photographer) by Franky Arrocena, “As the Moth Flies” by Gayle Oblea, “Bisan Abo Wala Bilin” (Even Ashes, Nothing Remains) by Kyd Torato, “Kiyaw” (Hill Myna) by Jericho Jeriel, “ILO” by Serafin Emmanuel P. Catangay, “Mananguete” (The Coconut Sap Collector) by Mery Grace Rama-Mission, “Ina Bulan” by Melver Ritz L. Gomez, “Sa Paglupad Ka Banong” (The Flight of Banog) by Elvert Bañares, and “Suka and Toyo Can Make Adobo (Vinegar and Soy Sauce Can Make Adobo) by Jude Matanguihan.
The following films are going to be unveiled for the first time (world premiere status): “What You Did”, “Talahib”, “Salome”, “Maple Leaf Dreams”, “Banjo”, “Pag-Ibig Ang Mananaig”, “Ina Bulan”, “Way of the Balisong”, “Bisan Abo, Wala Bilin”, and “Kiyaw”.
Meanwhile, “Untitled/Unfinished” is being shown for the first time outside Australia, its country of origin (international premiere); “As the Moth Flies” is being shown for the first time in Asia (Asian premiere), while “Her Locket” is being shown for the first time in the Philippines (Philippine premiere).
Competition winners will be revealed at the Sinag Maynila Gabi ng Parangal on September 8, 2024, Sunday, at the Metropolitan Theater.
Sinag Maynila 2024 is supported by the City of Manila, Department of Tourism, Culture & Arts Office of Manila (DTCAM), the Film Development Council of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
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