First CinePanalo FilmFest to focus on ‘hope-filled’ stories

A film festival that is set to feature “inspirational and heartwarming stories” is now accepting entries. Dubbed Puregold’s CinePanalo Film Festival, the upcoming festival will highlight “Pinoy values about love, family and hope.”

Festival director Christopher Cahilig presented in a press conference, organized by Cinema 76 Film Society, the overview and themes of the three-day festival to be mounted next year.

“It’s really telling the story of an inspiring and wholesome story in a very creative way and at the same time also artistic,” began the award-winning filmmaker. “It (features) family-oriented (themes), inspiring and wholesome films. Submissions in the horror, fantasy, sex as well as action, suspense and thriller genres will not be accepted as entries.”

“We want to be different by discussing topics that actually are within the brand also of Puregold that (is) very family-oriented,” he added.

The theme of the company’s first-ever film festival is “Mga Kwentong Panalo ng Buhay.” “CinePanalo aims to leave audiences with the warm and fuzzy feeling that truly great cinema can inspire,” explained Cahilig. “On this note, we look forward to seeing the wonderful stories our local directors will earnestly share with the public.”

“People need films that the whole family can enjoy. At a time when films marked by violence or worldly desires are increasingly made accessible to more people, the CinePanalo Film Festival’s focus will be on more heartfelt and hope-filled stories.”

A boys love (BL) or girls love (GL) genre will also be accepted as entry. Cahilig said, “We will not discriminate any narratives about the LGBTQ community but again sa lahat ng uri ng kwento they have to fall under nung categories namin which are inspiring and uplifting stories. Just because it’s an LGBTQ narrative, hindi siya pwedeng wholesome. May mga kwentong very wholesome pa rin even for that genre.” Puregold just released its first BL series titled My Plantito on TikTok.

There will be two categories for CinePanalo — student or campus-based for the short-films and the amateur and professional filmmakers for the full-length sections. Twenty five student filmmakers will be given P100,000 each to create shorts while five amateur and professional directors will be given P2,500,000 each to produce a feature film for the festival.

Those interested may e-mail [email protected] for more details.

The submission of entries starts this month until Oct. 27. The shortlist of selected directors will be announced on Nov. 6.

The films shall have a three-day run at the Gateway Cinema on March 8, 9 and 10, 2024. Regional screenings in Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Baguio and Cagayan de Oro may also be arranged, Cahilig said.

The awards night will be held on March 9, 2024 at the New Frontier Theater in Araneta City.

The production and digital company Optima Digital will offer free color grading for the Top 5 full-length films.

The organizers haven’t announced yet who will be included in the selection committee.

President of Puregold Price Club Inc. Vincent Co also remarked, “We want CinePanalo to uplift the spirits of young and gifted filmmakers who are just waiting for a break. We hope that the financial grant and the sheer exposure they get will provide an important boost to their aspirations.”