Cinemalaya Bente opens with 'The Gospel of the Beast'

Who will bring home the Balanghai trophies at this year’s Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival?

Dubbed “Cinemalaya Bente: Loob Lalim Lakas,” there are 10 full-length and 10 short films competing at the 20th edition of the annual film festival, which officially opens today.

In the full-length category are “Alipato at Muog” by JL Burgos; “An Errand” by Dominic Bekaert and Sarge Lacuesta; “Tumandok” by Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay and Richard Jeroui Salvadico; “Balota” by Kip Oebanda; and “Gulay Lang Manong (No More Than Veggies)” by BC Amparado.

‘Alipato at Muog’ by JL Burgos.

“Kantil (Trench)” by Joshua Caesar Medroso; “Kono Basho” by Jaime Pacena II; “Love Child” by Jonathan Jurilla; “The Hearing” by Lawrence Fajardo and Honee Alipio; and “The Wedding Dance” by Julius Lumiqued are the other full-length entries partaking in the film event.

The short feature films in competition are “Abogbaybay” by P.R. Monencillo Patindol; “All This Wasted Space” by Cris Bringas; “Ambot Wala Ko Kabalo Unsay I-title Ini” by Rey Anthony Villaverde; “Cross My Heart and Hope to Die” by Sam Manasca; “I Was Walking on the Streets of Chinatown” by Ryan Capili; and “Mama” by Alexandra Brizuela.

Completing the list are “Mariposa” by Melanie Faye Tampos; “Pamalandong Sa Danow (Reflection in the Marsh)” by Breech Asher Harani; “Primetime Mother” by Sonny Calvento; and “The Red Trails (An Baga sa Dalan)” by Mariel Ritchie Jolejole and Roniño Dolim.

The Cinemalaya Main Competition jury is comprised of critic, creative writer and academic Nicanor Tiongson, actress Dolly de Leon, Berlinale film curator Nicola Marzano, director, editor, composer and writer Jerrold Tarog, and founder and festival director of the Dhaka International Film Festival Ahmed Muztaba Zamal.

‘Gulay Lang Manong (No More Than Veggies)’ by BC Amparado.

On the other hand, the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema Award jury members are producer Nina Kochelyaeva, producer and filmmaker Monster Jimenez, and filmmaker Jay Abello.

Cinemalaya will have a 10-day run until Aug. 11 at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay cinemas, the main venue, and other venues that include Greenbelt, Trinoma, U.P. Town Center, and Market! Market!

The screening schedules are now out via Cultural Center of the Philippines and Cinemalaya official social media pages. Tickets are available at the Ayala Malls Cinema Ticket Booth or go to sureseats.com.

The opening film is Sheron Dayoc’s “The Gospel of the Beast” while Lino Brocka’s restored film “Bona” starring Nora Aunor will close the festival.

“The Gospel of the Beast” earned the Best Feature Film Award at the 2024 Bali International Film Festival and Best Film at the Ho Chi Minh Film Festival 2024 in Vietnam. It was nominated as Best Film at the 2023 Tokyo International Film Festival.

It is topbilled by Jansen Magpusao of “John Denver Trending” fame and veteran actor Ronnie Lazaro. The film follows the journey of a 15-year-old boy, Mateo, (Jansen) to “beasthood.” It will be screened tonight at 7 at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay (Cinemas 2, 7, 9, and 10).

Direk Sheron and his team are deeply humbled and grateful for the opportunity to be presenting the opening film at Cinemalaya 20.

“Shot in the Panay Islands and featuring the Hiligaynon language and actors from Western Visayas, this film holds a deeply personal significance for us,” he told The STAR in an interview.

He also thanked Cinemalaya for paving the way for his career as a regional filmmaker. His debut film in Cinemalaya was “Halaw (Ways of the Sea)” in 2010.

“Returning in 2024 with another full-length feature is a profoundly full-circle moment for me and my team. I am incredibly grateful to have such a remarkable team supporting me throughout this journey.”

Direk Sheron also praised Jansen’s performance in the film, saying, “His performance resonates with authenticity and emotional depth, driven not just by technique but by genuine emotion.

“Despite the challenging shooting conditions and the demands of the character Mateo, he navigated the role with ease. It was a delight to watch him grow, especially with the guidance of veteran, award-winning actor Ronnie Lazaro, who pushed him to reach his full potential. The entire cast, sharing the same professionalism, commitment, and authenticity, contributed to a remarkable performance.”

The festival’s mainstays, namely, Retrospective, which brings back previous Cinemalaya winning films; Best of the Festivals, showcasing the best films from local festivals; Visions of Asia, featuring award-winning Asian and NETPAC films; Premieres, with never-before-screened films; Dokyu, showing award-winning documentaries; and Digital Classics, featuring newly-restored Filipino classic films, will also be featured.

Cinemalaya will also pay tribute to the renowned figures in the Philippine cinema who have passed on, including, director-screenwriter Armando Lao, actress Jaclyn Jose, National Artist Fernando Poe Jr. and film curator-archivist Teddy Co. Their films will be shown at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay during the festival.