QC gives young filmmakers a chance

Quezon City film students have spoken. They have thrown in their full support to the first Quezon City Film on Sept. 10 to 17 at Cineplex Gateway, Araneta Center.

Twenty seven entries were declared official entries to the event, whose awards night is on Sept. 17 at the Araneta Center, Gateway.

Seven come from Miriam College, six from UP, five from St. Paul University, four from Trinity University of Asia and one from Ateneo de Manila.

Unlike regular filmmakers, the students dug deep into their pockets and made do with their regular allowance. Inspiration came from everywhere, like the MRT, where Paulinians hatched the idea for their entry, Shall I, To America? The narrative film revolves around the eternal conflict between staying put in the country or looking for greener pastures abroad.

Others found inspiration in such unlikely objects like food (Carbonara, an experimental film from Angelicum students), the metronome (UP) and a floating barangay (Trinity).

Other entries are First Day (Miriam), Kuwadro (Miriam), Pasada (Miriam), Kumot ng Panaginip (UP), Puting Ilaw (UP), Takipsilim (Angelicum), Katriel (St. Paul), Ziga (UP), Papelove (UP), Lucid Obsessions (Angelicum), Dream (St. Paul), Anomi (UP), Taym Pers (Miriam), Ang Nakamamatay na Tisis (St. Paul), A Hundred Peso Bill (Angelicum), Pag-Agos (Miriam), Anong Petsa Na (Miriam), Aya (Miriam), Umbra (Trinity), Nasaan Ka Noong Kailangan Kita (Trinity), Agap (St. Paul) and Alma (Ateneo de Manila).

All of them will go through the proverbial eye of the needle as a panel of judges, composed of Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil, Armando Lao, Raymond Red and Jim Libiran will choose which will go home with the highest honors during awards rites on Sept. 17 at Araneta Center, Gateway.

Meantime, the public can view the student films during the first Quezon City Independent Film Festival on Sept. 10 to 17 at the Cineplex Gateway, Araneta Center.

The filmfest kicks off a chain of events the city’s Film Development Commission, led by Mayor Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte has in store in celebration of the city’s 70th or platinum anniversary next year.

“We have three more filmfests coming up: one for indie movies, another for commercial pictures and still another for international films with special focus on those from the ASEAN countries,” says Quezon City Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista.

SM malls VP for Theater Operations Ric Camalagan, who was at the presscon, says the giant mall is also backing the festival. In fact, he adds, the mall is committed to bring the film entries to various parts of the country someday.

Seasoned writer Pablo S. Gomez will conduct a seminar-workshop on screenwriting for students.

The expectations run high; the enthusiasm inspiring. The QC Independent Film Festival is off to a blazing start.