Cinemalaya names full-length and short film finalists for 2024

One of the biggest film festivals championing independent films in Philippine cinema is coming back this year!

Images from Cinemalaya
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In celebration of its 20th year, the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival is back to encourage local filmmakers to create cinematic works that mirror Filipino experiences. A joint project with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Cinemalaya Bente follows the theme of loob, lalim, at lakas (interiority, depth and strength), which is reflected in the top 10 full-length films and top 10 short films that have been chosen as this year’s finalists.

The filmmakers behind the qualifying films have all undergone the Cinemalaya Film Lab, a mentorship program that aims to train them in different aspects of filmmaking, such as editing, scriptwriting, cinematography, and more, so it’s all the more exciting to see what they have in store for us.

So without further ado, here are the promising films to watch out for.

Full Length Films

Images from Cinemalaya

Images from Cinemalaya

The first full-length entry is a documentary film by JL Burgos entitled Alipato at Muog (Flying Embers and a Fortress). The documentary follows Burgos as he attempts to investigate the disappearance of his activist brother, Jonas. The film weaves animation and real-life footage to craft a powerful story about searching for the truth, no matter how painful the reality and how insurmountable the barriers.

The next entry is An Errand directed by Sarge Lacuesta, which follows a driver who was sent by his boss for an absurd errand: to drive from Baguio to Manila to pick up a tin of Viagra. The trip, as it turns out, wasn’t so simple, as the car he drives transforms into an echo chamber of memories, with the driver’s reflections on time, class and character engulfing him throughout the trip.

Balota (Ballot) by Kip Oebanda follows a seemingly absurd premise—Emmy, a small town teacher assigned to be a ballot inspector for the upcoming election, is caught in a violent incident in their local precinct. With nowhere left to go, Emmy runs into the woods with the ballot box containing the last copy of the election results. Armed with nothing but her courage and resourcefulness, Emmy attempts to outsmart the “goons” who want the election to fail.

BC Amparado’s Gulay Lang Manong (No More Than Veggies) tells the story of Pilo and Ariel, a struggling farmer and a patrolman, as they try to expose the drug dealings of the Benguet Marijuana Cartel and its members. But as they dive headfirst into the world of drugs to serve justice, they learn shocking truths that test their beliefs and integrity.  

Meanwhile, Kantil (Trench) by Joshua Caesar Medroso, delves into science fiction and Boys Love (BL). The film follows star-crossed lovers Paleng and Eliong, who live in a coastal community of informal settlers in Davao City that faces threats of demolition. However, the discovery of a mysterious shell in a nearby trench transforms the lives of the lovers and the villagers, unveiling secrets lurking deep beneath the surface.

Kono Basho (This Place) directed by Jaime Pacena II takes us to the aftermath of the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan in March 2011. Ella, a 28-year-old Filipino anthropologist, reunites with her estranged Japanese half-sister Reina at their father’s funeral in Rikuzentakata City, which was heavily affected by the tsunami. As the sisters find solace in their shared grief and reevaluate their perceptions of their father, they become instrumental in the city’s ongoing recovery.

Love Child by Jonathan Jurilla follows college sweethearts Ayla and Paolo, who decide to drop out of school and start a family after an unplanned pregnancy. Now with a son, Kali, who is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the couple is forced to find resilience in the face of an unsupportive and uncaring world.

Lawrence Fajardo’s The Hearing is another entry about the pursuit of justice as Lucas, a deaf boy from a small fishing village and a victim of sexual abuse by an influential priest, crosses paths with Maya, a sign language interpreter who has seen the injustices perpetuated by powerful people in society. Together, the pair attempts to win a legal battle against the priest in the face of adversity that forces victims into silence.

Meanwhile, The Wedding Dance by Julius Lumiqued brings us back to the 1940s with the Kalinga people. The story follows Lumnay, a Kalinga woman who faces harsh judgment for her infertility, as her husband, Awiyao, invites her to attend and celebrate his new wedding dance.

The final full-length entry is a blend of real life and fiction, as Kat Sumagaysay and Richard Salvadico’s Tumandok (The Inhabitants) features the plight and real-life story of the Atis, the indigenous people of Central Panay. The docu-fiction follows a 16-year-old chieftain’s daughter as she fights with her people to reclaim their ancestral land.

Short Films

Images from Cinemalaya

Image from Cinemalaya

Short feature films are also in competition for the gold, with the following 10 entries making it as finalists: Abogbaybay by PR Monencillo Patindol; All This Wasted Space by Cris Bringas; Ambot Wala Ko Kabalo Unsay I-title Ini by Rey Anthony Villaverde; An Baga Sa Dalan (The Red Trails) by Mariel Ritchie Jolejole and Roniño Dolim; Cross My Heart And Hope To Die by Sam Manasca; i was walking on the streets of chinatown by Ryan Capili; Mama by Alexandra Brizuela; Mariposa by Melanie Faye Tampos; Pamalandong Sa Danow (Reflection In The Marsh) by Breech Asher Harani; and Primetime Mother by Sonny Calvento.

With a wide variety of film subjects, genres, themes and styles, Cinemalaya Bente is definitely an event to watch out for. The full-length and short film finalists are all set to run at Ayala Malls Manila Bay from August 2 to 11, 2024, with screenings in other movie theaters to be announced.

So if you’re a film buff, or just looking for something new and interesting to watch, then mark your calendars for Cinemalaya Bente and visit Cinemalaya’s Facebook page for more information

Among the Cinemalaya full-length and short film finalists, which one are you looking forward to seeing the most? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

 

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