MANILA, Philippines – Nora Aunor, Ai-Ai delas Alas, Derek Ramsay, and Dennis Trillo are just some of the mainstream stars who jumped ship to indie for the 10th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, which will begin its run on August 1, Friday.
As in the previous years, 10 films will compete in the New Breed full length feature category while five films are part of the Directors Showcase category.
Nora is clearly the one to watch out for in the Directors Showcase as she headlines “Hustisya,” the entry of veteran director Joel Lamangan.
“The Janitor,” directed by Michael Tuviera, sees Derek Ramsay's first foray in independent film, along with Dennis Trillo, Richard Gomez, and LJ Reyes, among others.
The other entries include “Hari ng Tondo” (Carlito Siguion-Reyna), “Asintado” (Louie Ignacio), and “Kasal” (Joselito Altarejos).
Ai-Ai delas Alas also turns her back on blockbuster comedies with “Ronda,” an entry in the New Breed category, directed by Nick Olanka.
A young cast which includes Elmo Magalona, Coleen Garcia, and Kit Thompson headlines “#Y” by Gino Santos.
Meanwhile, veteran actors Freddie Webb and Nova Villa star in a movie about first love that gets a second chance in Real Florido's “1st Ko Si 3rd.”
The other films in the New Breed category include “Byawa” (Francis Pasion), “Children's Show” (Roderick Cabrido), “Dagitab” (Giancarlo Abrahan V), “K'na The Dreamweaver” (Ida Anita Del Mundo), “Mariquina” (Milo Sogueco), “s6parados” (GB Sampedro), and “Sundalong Kanin” (Janice and Denise O'Hara).
The 10th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival runs from August 1 to August 10.
The films will be screened at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City. There will also be satellite screenings at Greenbelt 3 in Makati City, Trinoma and Fairview Terraces in Quezon City, and Alabang Town Center cinemas in Muntinlupa City.
Here are photos from the 10th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival: