Established, emerging filmmakers join first CinePanalo Film Festival
Among the film entries that will participate in the inaugural Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival this year are the works of established and emerging filmmakers in the country.
In the full-length category, “Kita Kita” director Sigrid Bernardo’s “Pushcart Tales,” Raynier Brizuela’ “Boys at the Back,” Joel Ferrer’s “Road to Happy,” and Carlo Obispo’s “A Lab Story” will grace the film event’s screen.
They are joined by Kurt Soberano’s “Under the Piaya Moon” and Eugene Torres’ “One Day League: Dead Mother, Dead All,” which earned the Producer’s Choice title.
Festival director Chris Cahilig said that out of the 235 submitted titles, only six were selected for the festival. They were officially presented during a press conference held recently at the Artson Events Place, Quezon City.
In the short films section, the entries of 25 student directors that have made it to list are: Jenievive Adame’s “Smokey Journey” of STI College Cubao; Ma. Rafaela Mae Abucejo’s “Saan Ako Pinaglihi?” (Polytechnic University of the Philippines, PUP); Alexa Moneii Agaloos’ “Ka Benjie” (PUP); Kent Michael Cadungog’s “Text FIND DAD and Send to 2366” (University of the Philippines); John Pistol Carmen’s “Repeater si Peter” (Bicol University);
Chrisha Eseo Cataag’s “Hallway Scholar” (Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng San Pablo); Patricia Dalluay’s “Lola, Lola, Paano ba ‘Yan?” (PUP); Joanah Pearl Demonteverde’s “Kang Pagpuli Ko” (UP Visayas); Joshua Andrey Doce’s “I Am Mutya And I Thank You!” (Bicol State College of Applied Science and Technology); Neil Espino’s “Sa Hindi Paghahangad” (De La Salle Lipa); Terrence Gale Fernandez’s “Kaibigan ko si Batman” (PUP);
Daniel Gil’s “Distansya” (Ateneo de Davao University); Alexandra Lapid’s “Queng Apag” (Mapúa University); Reutsche Colle Rigurosa Lima’s “Tiil ni Lola” (University of San Carlos); Dizelle Masilungan’s “Kung Nag-aatubili” (University of Santo Tomas); Jose Mikyl Medina’s “Lutong Bahay” (De La Salle University); Ronjay-C Mendiola’s “Last Shift” (PUP); Mark Terence Molave’s “Paano po gumawa ng collage college?” (PUP); Jhunel Ruth Monterde’s “Si Mary May Crush Kay Tess” (De La Salle College of Saint Benilde);
Doxford Perlas’ “Naduea Eoman Si Brownie (Brownie’s Lost Again!)” (UP Visayas); Andrea Ponce’s “Layag sa Pangarap” (PUP); Edz Haniel Teñido Purificacion’s “Dzai Dzai Dzai Delilah” (Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna); John Wilbert Llever Sucaldito’s “Tambal nga Sabaw” (Far Eastern University); Tyrone Lean Taotao’s “Abandoned Lullabies” (PUP); and Marian Jayce Tiongzon’s “May Kulay Rosas Ba Sa Bahaghari?” (UP Visayas).
The six full-length film directors were given a grant of P2,500,000 each, while 25 short film finalists were granted P100,000 each. They also received complimentary color grading from Optima Digital for their respective films, as well as essential groceries from Puregold to further support them during the production phase.
The finished output will be screened at the Gateway Cinemas in Cubao from March 15 to 17 with extended screenings on March 18 and 19 and regional screenings as well. The short films will also be available on Puregold’s official social media channels on YouTube and TikTok.
The selection committee is composed of veteran film and television director Jeffrey Jethurian; film critic Tito Valiente; award-winning filmmaker Victor Villanueva; Puregold senior marketing manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad; Lyle Gonzales of Republic Creative; and Cahilig.
According to the media release, Puregold’s goal is “to provide a platform for both well-known and emerging filmmakers, and to showcase narratives — collectively called Kuwentong Panalo — that can touch the heart and remind us of the indomitable Filipino spirit.
“With the CinePanalo Film Festival, Puregold further strengthens its commitment to fostering local talent, bridging gaps, and bringing authentic Filipino stories to the forefront of the cinematic landscape. The Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival promises to be a celebration of creativity, diversity, and the vibrant spirit of the Filipino people.”
As of the presscon, most of the filmmakers are either in the process of producing their films or preparing to shoot theirs. Most of them are halfway through the production, shared Cahilig. “We really are expecting good films (output). It’s really a select group. Imagine (only) six out of 235 entries were selected. So talagang medyo exciting ang kalalabasan nito.”
“So it’s really more of building it, preparing for the big day for the festival and making the experience for our young filmmakers and our established filmmakers a more kumbaga ‘panalo’ moment. We wanted it to be an experience that they can remember,” he added.
Hayagan-Piedad remarked that the film festival is “actually a platform for Puregold to uphold education and to be a catalyst in a medium, which is film, that can be passed on to generations. It is really to enable the youth of today and for these materials to come to life. This project, it goes beyond merely funding a production. It’s really about igniting change and launching dreams.
“We hope this festival inspires much as the voices of the artists joining us here today but everyone who will be able to have a glimpse of your pieces,” she furthered.
Speaking on behalf of the full-length finalists, direk Sigrid thanked Puregold for the opportunity. “To be honest, it’s very rare for a grocery (company) to produce feature length films. But I’m very excited on my part because I was part of the first CineFilipino film festival, the first Cinemalaya film festival, and now the first Puregold film festival.
“Of course, I am very pressured because parang bumabalik ka ulit sa you know your roots and indie films. And I’m sure with my fellow directors din grabe din yung pressure (since) we haven’t started the filming yet. Bukas pa lang. Haha!”
But they really want it to be a good experience for everyone, she said. “Because we were entrusted by Puregold and we want to give back also for trusting us. As my fellow filmmakers din, sila rin and may mga actors rin sila na sobrang... and dito namin ma-re-realize na may mga friends pala kami na willing to help us also.”
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