Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival
The Cinemalaya, officially the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, is a film festival in the Philippines held annually during the month of August traditionally at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex, but in recent years, the Festival screenings also extend to various cinemas. Its aim is the development and promotion of Filipino independent films.[1] The film festival is organized by the Cinemalaya Foundation, Inc. with the support of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Econolink Investments, Inc.
Location | Pasay, Philippines |
---|---|
Founded | 2005 |
Most recent | Cinemalaya 2023 |
Hosted by | Cinemalaya Foundation Inc. |
Language | English, Filipino, and other Philippine languages |
Website | www |
Each year, the Festival provides "seed investments" to the independent filmmakers who become known as the finalists of the festival's full-length category. In the beginning, the seed grant amounted to ₱500,000 (US$10,000~) per film. In 2019, it has been increased to ₱1,000,000 (US$20,000~). In 2023, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) matched this amount, thereby bringing the total to ₱2,000,000 (US$40,000~). On the other hand, the finalists of the short film category received a total of ₱100,000 (US$1,785~) each for their finished films. These finalists are culled from hundreds of submissions from all over the Philippines. Their films debut at the festival along with various out-of-competition works.[2]
The organizing committee, headed by veteran Filipino director and actress Laurice Guillen, oversees the production of the films and the festival.[3]
The latest edition was held from August 4 – August 13, 2023, at the Philippine International Convention Center as well as in select mall cinemas.[4]
History
The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival is a film competition and festival that aims to encourage the creation of new cinematic works by Filipino filmmakers – works that boldly articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity. It also aims to invigorate the Philippine filmmaking by developing a new breed of Filipino filmmakers. Each year, ten fresh talents are given a seed grant in order to create the film of their dreams. These films, along with ten short films under the Short Feature Category, are then featured in the film festival at the Cultural Center of the Philippines every August and compete for the coveted Balanghai Award. An array of exhibition films are also shown at the CCP under different sections such as Visions of Asia, Indie Nation, Best of the Festivals, Premieres, Dokyu, Retrospective, Tributes, and Digital Classics.
Aside from the screenings are other exciting film-related events such as book launchings, talkbacks with filmmakers, and Cinemalaya conversations, where students and aspiring filmmakers get to talk to select special guests about filmmaking and production. Also an integral part of the festival is the Cinemalaya Campus, a conference that looks at all aspects of independent filmmaking and distribution.
Cinemalaya Foundation Inc.
The Cinemalaya Foundation is a non-stock, not-for-profit, non-government foundation, committed to the development and promotion of Philippine Independent film.
The Cinemalaya Foundation was established for the following purposes: to help develop and support the production of cinematic works of Filipino independent filmmakers that boldly articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity; to discover, encourage, support, train and recognize gifted Filipino independent filmmakers; to promote Filipino independent films locally and internationally; and to establish a network for exchange, communication, and cooperation among members of the independent film sector.
The core project of the Cinemalaya is the annual Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and Competition which provide financial grants for the production of, at most, 10 full-length feature films which will then compete for the Best Full-length Film award. It also awards financial grants to the production of five full-length feature films by veteran directors in the Directors Showcase category. The Cinemalaya competition also recognizes the work of short filmmakers . The Cinemalaya Independent Film Congress is an important component of the Festival, providing a venue for interaction and dialogue between alternative filmmakers and those in the mainstream.
The Cinemalaya Foundation also aims to support other projects such as national outreach, seminars and workshops on production, marketing and distribution of independent films. It hopes to strengthen the presence of Filipino independent films in foreign festivals and competitions, encouraging Filipino filmmakers to enter and be part of the international film circuit.
Major award winners
In 2010 (6th edition), the festival separated the full-length entries to two separate competitions: The Directors' Showcase and the New Breed section. The five feature-film entries will compete under the Directors' Showcase which are presented by veteran film directors of the country. While the other ten feature-film entries will compete under the New Breed section which are presented by first-time or young filmmakers working today. The Short Film section has also ten competing entries. During the 2015 Awarding Ceremony, The Cinemalaya Foundation announced that on its 12th edition, there will two competitions, the main competition (Full Length Feature) and the short film features.[5]
New Breed
Year | Best Film | Best Direction | Special Jury Prize | Best Actress | Best Actor |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2005 | Pepot Artista by Clodualdo del Mundo Jr. |
Rica Arevalo (ICU Bed #7) |
Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros by Auraeus Solito | Meryll Soriano (Room Boy) |
Eddie Garcia (ICU Bed #7) |
2006 | Tulad ng Dati by Mike Sandejas | Ron Bryant (Rotonda) | Batad: Sa Paang Palay by Benji Garcia and Vic Acedillo, Jr. | Angel Aquino (Donsol) | Alchris Galura (Batad) |
2007 | Tribu by Jim Libiran | Auraeus Solito (Pisay) | Endo by Jade Castro | Ina Feleo (Endo) | The ensemble of (Tribu) |
2008 | Jay by Francis Xavier Pasion | Chris Martinez (100) | Brutus by Tara Illenberger | Mylene Dizon (100) | Baron Geisler (Jay) |
2009 | Last Supper No. 3 by Veronica Velasco |
GB Sampedro (Squalor) | Ang Panggagahasa kay Fe by Alvin Yapan Colorum by Jobin Ballesteros | Ina Feleo (Sanglaan) | Lou Veloso (Colorum) |
2010 | Halaw by Sheron Dayoc | Sheron Dayoc (Halaw) | Sampaguita, National Flower by Francis Xavier Pasion | Lovi Poe (Mayohan) | John Arcilla (Halaw) |
2011 | Ang Babae sa Septic Tank by Marlon Rivera | Marlon Rivera (Ang Babae sa Septic Tank) |
Niño by Loy Arcenas | Eugene Domingo (Ang Babae sa Septic Tank) |
Edgar Allan Guzman (Ligo na Ü, Lapit na Me) |
2012 | Diablo by Mes de Guzman | Mes de Guzman (Diablo) | Requieme by Loy Arcenas | Ama Quiambao (Diablo) | Kristoffer King (Oros) |
2013 | Transit by Hannah Espia | Hannah Espia (Transit) | Quick Change by Eduardo Roy, Jr. | Irma Adlawan (Transit) | Mimi Juareza (Quick Change) |
2014 | Bwaya by Francis Xavier Pasion | Giancarlo Abrahan V (Dagitab) | K’na The Dreamweaver by Ida Anita Del Mundo | Eula Valdez (Dagitab) | Dante Rivero (1st ko si 3rd) |
Directors' Showcase
Year | Best Film | Best Direction | Special Jury Prize | Best Actress | Best Actor |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | Donor by Mark Meily | Gil Portes (Two Funerals) | Two Funerals by Gil Portes | Meryll Soriano (Donor) | Baron Geisler (Donor) |
2011 | Bisperas by Jeffrey Jeturian | Auraeus Solito (Busong) | *no winner | Raquel Villavicencio (Bisperas) |
Bembol Roco (Isda) |
2012 | Posas by Lawrence Fajardo | Raymond Red (Kamera Obskura) |
Kamera Obskura by Raymond Red | Judy Ann Santos, Iza Calzado, Agot Isidro, and Janice de Belen (Mga Mumunting Lihim) | Eddie Garcia (Bwakaw) |
2013 | Sana Dati by Jerrold Tarog | Jerrold Tarog (Sana Dati) | Ekstra by Jeffrey Jeturian | Vilma Santos (Ekstra) | *no winner |
2014 | Kasal by Joselito Altarejos | Mike Tuviera (The Janitor) | Hari ng Tondo by Carlos Siguion-Reyna | Nora Aunor (Hustisya) | Robert Arevalo (Hari ng Tondo) |
Main Competition (Full-Length Features)
Year | Best Film | Best Direction | Special Jury Prize | Best Actress | Best Actor |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016[6] | Pamilya Ordinaryo by Eduardo Roy, Jr. | Eduardo Roy, Jr. (Pamilya Ordinaryo) |
Mercury is Mine by Jason Paul Laxamana | Hasmine Killip (Pamilya Ordinaryo) | Tommy Abuel (Dagsin) |
2017[7] | Respeto by Treb Monteras | Joseph Israel Laban (Baconaua) |
Baconaua by Joseph Israel Laban | Angeli Bayani (Bagahe) |
Noel Comia Jr. (Kiko Boksingero) |
2018[8] | Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon by Carlo Enciso Catu | Che Espiritu (Pan de Salawal) |
Pan de Salawal by Che Espiritu | Ai-Ai Delas Alas (School Service ) |
Eddie Garcia (ML) |
2019[9] | John Denver Trending by Arden Rod Condez | Eduardo Roy, Jr. (Fuccbois) |
Edward by Thop Nazareno | Ruby Ruiz (Iska) |
Jansen Magpusao (John Denver Trending) |
2022[10] | The Baseball Player by Carlo Obispo | Ma-an Asuncion-Dagñalan (Blue Room) |
Blue Room by Ma-an Asuncion Dagñalan | Max Eigenmann (12 Weeks) |
Tommy Alejandrino (The Baseball Player) |
2023[11] | Iti Mapukpukaw by Carl Joseph E. Papa | Ryan Espinosa Machado (Huling Palabas) |
Ang Duyan ng Magiting by Dustin Celestino | Pat Tingjuy (Rookie) |
Mikoy Morales (Tether) |
Short films
Year | Best Film | Special Jury Prize | Best Direction | Best Screenplay | Audience Choice Award |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2005 | Mansyon by Joel Ruiz | Kultado by Lawrence Fajardo | Sigrid Andrea Bernardo (Babae) | Pam Miras (Blood Bank) | *not awarded |
2006 | Orasyon by Rommel Tolentino | Kwarto by Jose Maria Emmanuel Taylo | Jeck Cogama (Putot) | Hubert Tibi (Parang Pelikula) | *not awarded |
2007 | Rolyo by Alvin Yapan | Nineball by Enrico Aragon | Emmanuel Dela Cruz (Gabon) | Vic Acedillo (To Ni) | Doble Vista by Nisha Alicer and Nix Lañas |
2008 | Andong by Rommel Tolentino | My Pet by Anna Bigornia | Mark Reyes (God Only Knows) | Rommel Tolentino (Andong) | God Only Knows by Mark Reyes |
2009[12] | Bonsai by Borgy Torre | Blogog by Rommel Tolentino | Dexter Cayanes (Musa) | Mark Phillip Espina (Behind Close Doors) | Tatang by Jean Paolo Hernandez |
2010[13] | Wag Kang Titingin by Pam Miras | P by Rommel Tolentino | Rommel Tolentino (P) | Mikhail Red (The Barriers) | P by Rommel Tolentino |
2011[14] | Walang Katapusang Kwarto by Emerson Reyes | Hanapbuhay by Henry Frejas | Rommel Tolentino (Niño Bonito) | Emerson Reyes (Walang Katapusang Kwarto) | Walang Katapusang Kwarto by Emerson Reyes |
2012[15] | Victor by Jarell Serencio | Manenaya by Richard Legaspi | Sheron Dayoc (Mientras su Durmida) | Sigrid Andrea Bernardo (Ang Paghihintay sa Bulong) | Ruweda by Hannah Espia |
2013[16] | The Houseband's Wife by Paulo O'Hara | Taya by Adi Bontuyan | JE Tiglao(Onang) | Paulo O'Hara(The Houseband's Wife) | Taya by Adi Bontuyan |
2014[17] | Asan si Lolo Me? by Sari Estrada | The Ordinary Things We Do by David R. Corpuz | Kevin Ang (Lola) | Kevin Ang (Lola) | Lola by Kevin Ang |
2015[18] | Pusong Bato by Martika Ramirez Escobar | Wawa by Anj Macalanda | Petersen Vargas (Lisyun qng Geografia) | Darwin Novicio (Papetir) | Sanctissima by Kenneth Dagatan |
2016[19] | Pektus by Isabel Quesada | Fish Out of Water by Mon A.L. Garilao | Mon A.L. Garilao (Fish Out of Water) | Isabel Quesada (Pektus) | Forever Natin by Cyrus Valdez |
2017[20] | Hilom by P.R. Patindol | Fatima Marie Torres and the Invasion of Space Shuttle Pinas 25 by Carlo Francisco Manatad | E. del Mundo (Manong ng Pa-Aling) | Joseph Israel Laban (Bawod) | Nakauwi Na by Marvin Cabangunay and Jaynus Olaivar |
2018[21] | Jodilerks dela Cruz by Carlo Manatad | Astri Maki Si Tambulah by Xeph Suarez | Xeph Suarez (Astri Maki Si Tambulah) | Christian Candelaria (Sa Saiyang Isla) | Kiko by Jojo Driz |
2019[22] | Wag Mo Kong Kausapin by Josef Dielle Gacutan | Tembong by Shaira Advincula | Don Senoc (Sa Among Agwat) | Gilb Baldoza (Kontrolado ni Girly Ang Buhay Niya) | Heist School Julius Renomeron, Jr. |
2020[23] | Tokwifi by Carla Pulido Ocampo | Ang Pagpakalma sa Unos by Joanna Vasquez Arong | Martika Ramirez Escobar (Living Things) | Hubert Tibi (Pabasa Kan Pasyon) | Quing Lalam Ning Aldo by Reeden Fajardo |
2021[24] | Beauty Queen by Myra Aquino | An Sadit na Planeta by Arjanmar H. Rebeta | Kyle Nieva (Kids of Fire) | Kyle Nieva (Kids of Fire) | An Sadit na Planeta by Arjanmar H. Rebeta |
2022[25] | Black Rainbow by Zig Dulay | Dikit by Gabriela Serrano | Gabriela Serrano (Dikit) | Zig Dulay (Black Rainbow) | Mga Handum Nga Nasulat sa Baras by Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay & Richard Jeroui Salvadico |
2023[26] | Sibuyas ni Perfecto by Januar Yap | Hm Hm MhM by Sam Villa-real and Kim Timan | Mike Cabarles (Makoko Sa Baybay) | Arvin Belarmino and Kyla Romero (Hinakdal) | Hinakdal by Arvin Belarmino |
References
- "Inq7.net:Global Nation". Archived from the original on October 13, 2005.
- "Cinemalaya 19 gives biggest seed grant in its history". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
- "PEP EXCLUSIVE: Robbie Tan explains why MNL 143 was disqualified from Cinemalaya 2012". Pep.ph. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- "Philippines Independent Film Festival Cinemalaya 2023 Returns To Manila". Music Press Asia. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
- "CINEMALAYA 2015 WINNERS AND CINEMALAYA 2016 FINALISTS NAMED". Cinemalaya.org. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
- "FULL LIST: Winners, Cinemalaya 2016 awards night". Rappler.com. August 14, 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- "FULL LIST: Winners, Cinemalaya 2017". Rappler.com. August 13, 2017. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
- "FULL LIST: Winners, Cinemalaya 2018". Rappler.com. August 12, 2018. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
- "FULL LIST: Winners, Cinemalaya 2019". Rappler.com. August 11, 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
- "'The Baseball Player,' 'Blue Room' triumph at Cinemalaya 2022". Rappler.com. August 15, 2022. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
- "'Iti Mapukpukaw' tops Cinemalaya 2023 with 3 wins including Best Film". ABS-CBN News. August 13, 2023.
- Jocelyn Dimaculangan; Leo Laparan II. "Cinemalaya 2009 winners receive Balanghai trophies and cash prizes". Pep.ph. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- "Cinemalaya 2010 names best films". News.abs-cbn.com. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- Evangelista, Katherine (July 24, 2011). "Cinemalaya 2011 awards winners bared". Entertainment.inquirer.net. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- "Cinemalaya 2012 winners unveiled; four actresses receive Best Ensemble award". Pep.ph. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- "List of Winners of Cinemalaya 2013 | Cinemalaya". Archived from the original on February 11, 2017. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
- "FULL LIST: Winners, Cinemalaya Awards Night 2014". Rappler. August 10, 2014. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- "FULL LIST: Winners, Cinemalaya Awards Night 2015". Rappler. August 15, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- "FULL LIST: Winners, Cinemalaya 2016 awards night". Rappler. August 14, 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
- "FULL LIST: Winners, Cinemalaya 2017". Rappler. August 13, 2017. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- "FULL LIST: Winners, Cinemalaya 2018". August 12, 2018.
- "FULL LIST: Winners, Cinemalaya 2019". August 11, 2019.
- "FULL LIST: Winners, Cinemalaya 2019". August 11, 2019.
- "LIST: Cinemalaya 2021 winners; films now available for streaming". Philstar Global. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
- "Cinemalaya 2022 winners: 'The Baseball Player' wins Best Film; 'Blue Room' bags 5 titles". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
- "'Iti Mapukpukaw' tops Cinemalaya 2023 with 3 wins including Best Film". ABS-CBN News. August 13, 2023.