Finalists for Cinema One Originals 2012

MANILA, Philippines - Cinema One announces its line-up for Cinema One Originals 2012. Now on its eighth year, Cinema One Originals is the annual flagship event of the cable channel. The project showcases local talents and the diverse voices of the local independent cinema. The entries submitted early this year were screened and selected by the Cinema One Originals 2012 Selection Committee members: Teddy Co, Sherad  Anthony Sanchez, Veronica Velasco, Jennifer Laurel, Oggs Cruz, Raymond Diamzon, Raymond Lee, Kathleen Pador and Ronald Arguelles. Winners from the past years have achieved local and global recognition, have been nominated and have won awards in international film festivals.

”Cinema One levels up each year and continues to discover new talents while presenting original Filipino stories in various genres. This is a highly anticipated project as we have seven first-time feature length debuts and a trio of entertaining dramatic themes tackled by world-class filmmakers in the new division of P2M budget. We are also breaking new grounds as we offer more voices from the different regions of the country. The best thing about this year is that we have more titles for production that’s why we’re all excited. There will definitely be more work for us but it’s all worth it,” said Ronald, Cinema One channel head.

For this year, three proposed projects will be awarded with a P2M-production budget each and 10 proposed projects with a budget of P1M each and will start production this month.

The three finalists for the P2M-production budget are: Mariposa Sa Hawla ng Gabi by Richard Somes is a tale of an innocent woman who unravels horrible truths while in search of her long lost sister in the city; Lourdes by Adolfo Alix Jr. is about a typical Filipino mother in a non-stereotypical kind of profession, living a dark shadowy life in Manila City’s underground; and Baybayin by Auraeus Solito is  a unique tale of two half sisters who fall in love with a man who can’t hear and speak to them — proof that love can speak even in silence.

 The finalists for the P1M-production budget are: Ang Paglalakbay ng mga Bituin sa Gabing Madilim by Arnel Mardoquio is about a boy’s journey to safety after his parents are killed in a gun war; Catnip by Kevin Dayrit is a psychological film on two friends  who despite their differences find comfort in being together; Melodrama Negra by Ma. Isabel Legarda is a black comedy which follows the life of three dead people who find unanticipated things in the acclaimed City of Stars, Quezon City; Slumber Party by Emmanuel Dela Cruz  is a riotous comedy about fraternity initiations and homosexuality; Pascalina by Pam Miras is another yet untypical story of a simple girl who after visiting her dying aunt experiences changes in her life that will push her to the edge of madness and monstrosity; Anak Araw by Gym Lumbera is a fable that talks about the colonial illusion of an albino who believes that he is a son of an American; Mekaniko ni Monica by Cesar Hernando is set in the ’50s and is about a man who struggles between fighting for his love for country and his newfound love; Aberya by Christian Linaban is about love, sex and psychedelic potions which intertwine the lives of four people in one night; Palitan by Ato Bautista has claustrophobic locations as its backdrop to depict the life of lovers who find themselves asphyxiated and trapped in an erotic triangle; and Mamay Umeng by Dwein Baltazar is about an 84-year-old woman who is alone and waiting, prays not for long life, but for a fast escape.

In November, the films will be screened and will compete against each other in the Cinema One Originals awards night. For details, visit  www.facebook.com/pages/cinema-one-originals/193194883486.