DAUNTING BUT – Yes, it was a daunting task…but then at the same time rewarding.
Out of almost 150 entries to CineFilipino 2017, only eight were chosen. Imagine reading all those scripts and pruning them down to eight. That was the task of competition committee headed by esteemed director Jose Javier Reyes, which included such worthy names as Madonna Tarrayo, Bayani San Diego, Hanna Espia, Joel Ruiz, Lilit Reyes, and Manet Dayret.
In the words of direk Joey: “Kwento ang hari dito. And the story should always be increasingly appealing to its audiences, very original and Filipino. It is also very heartening to note that most of the eight feature films that made it to the list are products of newcomers.”
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CHOSEN EIGHT – Here is the list of chosen eight of CineFilipino Film Festival.
Theresa Cayaba – “Delia and Sammy”
Rod Marmol – “Mata Tapang”
Alec Figuracion – “The Eternity Between Seconds”
Ron Batallones – “Excuse Me Po”
Roni Benald – “Poon”
Bar Ocampo – “Hitboy”
Donalyn Baltazar – “Kahit Man Lang Kung Maari”
Ronal Allan Habon – “ Mga Mister ni Rosario”
One or two or more of them could be another Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo of “Kita Kita” fame. Ms. Bernardo is a product of CineFilipino (now on its third edition) via “Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita.”
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CIGNAL PARTNERS – CineFilipino is in partnership wit Cignal Entertainment, giving its films more avenues for exposure, president Jane Jimenez Basas says.
To which festival director Madonna Tarrayo expounds: “CineFilipino has always been envisioned to be a gateway for brillant filmmakers, and knowing there is a ready venue for their films will certainly be inspiring. Organized and led by Unitel and partnered with the MVP group including Cignal Entertainment, the CineFilipino Film Festival is how we truly celebrate Filipino films and their creators.”
Cignal provides seed money for the eight projects. The festival will be held March 2018.
Well, what can one say to that? Mabuhay ang CineFilipino!
