Anong Kwento Mo?: Cinemalaya Presents 20 Films
posted on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 in Festivals, Indie FilmsThe Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2008 is a project of the Cinemalaya Foundation, Inc., in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and Econolink Investments, Inc. (EII). Slated for July 11 to 20, 2008, the festival features:
- a competition
- film exhibition
- world premieres
- a new children’s section
- a tribute to Manuel Conde
- fora and an indie congress
The works will be:
- narrative features that articulate the Filipino identity and culture
- in digital video format-to take advantage of this new, more accessible technology
- open to both filmmakers who have not yet directed a full-length commercial film, and filmmakers who have directed not more than three full-length commercial films.
There will be two categories:
- Short Feature–from 15 to 20 minutes
- Full-Length Feature – from 90 to 120 minutes.
The Finalists
Twenty new digital films will compete in the 2008 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and Competition on July 11-20, 2008 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
Ten films will compete in the full length category. These are: 100 by Chris Martinez, Baby Angelo by Joel Ruiz and Abi Aquino, Boses by Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil, Brutus by Tara Illenberger, Concerto by Paul Alexander Morales, Huling Pasada by Paul Sta. Ana, Jay by Francis Xavier E. Pasion, My Fake American Accent by Onnah Valera, Namets by Emilio “Jay” Abello and Ranchero by Michael Christian Cardoz. 
The filmmakers for the Full Length category
The full length feature film category finalists were selected from a total of 194 entries submitted for the 2008 Cinemalaya. As finalists, they received an initial seed investment of P500,000 from Econolink Investments Inc. The final winning entry will be given an additional grant of P200,000 plus the Cinemalaya Trophy during the awarding ceremony on July 20 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines 
Ten films will compete in the short film category. These are: Andong by Rommel “Milo” Tolentino, Ang Ibang Mga Pamilya by Joel P. Ruiz ,Angan-Angan (Dreams) by Sheron R. Dayoc, Diamante sa Langit by Vic Acedillo Jr. , God Only Knows by Mark V. Reyes, Huling Biktima by Vitaliano A. Rave, My Pet by Anna G. Bigornia, Panggaris by Dexter B. Cayanes, Trails of Water by Sheron R. Dayoc and Tutos by L.A. Yamsuan. 
The filmmakers for the Short Film category
The winner of the short film category will receive a P100,000 grant plus the Cinemalaya Trophy during the awarding ceremony on July 20 at the CCP. Cinemalaya 2008 will be highlighted by the screening of world premieres, director’s cuts and the very best Filpino independent films on wide-ranging and controversial topics. Films from Cinemalaya 2005, 2006 and 2007 will also be shown. Close to a hundred films will be on exhibition during the Festival.
This year, Cinemalaya introduces the children’s section which aims to encourage the development and production of culturally-relevant content for Filipino children. Nine films will be competing for the Rene O. Villanueva Prize, in honor of the late children’s book author. Presented in cooperation with the National Council for Children’s Television, the Cinemalaya Children’s Section will be dedicated to short narrative features made for viewing of children ages 3-13.
Also new this year in Cinemalaya is the tribute to Manuel Conde, a pioneer in Filipino independent filmmaking and a true auteur who produced, wrote, directed and acted in his films. Conde is credited with introducing Filipino films abroad, at the Venice Film Festival. Six Conde films will be shown during the Festival, namely: Genghis Khan (1950), Ibong Adarna (1955), Verganza (1958), Señorito (1953), Cruz na Kawayan (1956) and El Robo (1957). The book “The Cinema of Manuel Conde” by Dr. Nicanor G. Tiongson will be launched on July 16 during the Festival.
A new advertising campaign for this year’s Cinemalaya has been created by Cinemalaya filmmakers. With the tagline “Anong Kwento Mo?”, the ad campaign conveys the message that Filipinos everywhere have interesting stories to tell, specially Filipino independent filmmakers.
Another major event of Cinemalaya 2008 is the Cinemalaya Film Congress on July 15-16 at the CCP Little Theater. The theme of the Congress will be Spreading the News: Promoting, Distributing and Exhibiting Indie Films. Film artists, technicians and businessmen will discuss the following topics: Making Indie Films: Self Expression, Social Commitment, Compromise; Promoting Indie Films: Building Audiences for Indie Films; Distributing Indie Films: Systems Legal to Illegal and Exhibiting Indie Films: From Cine Katipunan to Cannes.
Cinemalaya 2008 will open on July 11 and run until July 20, 2008. Films will be shown at all CCP venues, namely the Main Theater, the Little Theater, Dream Theater, Tanghalang Huseng Batute, Silangan Hall, and the MKP Hall.
Now on its fourth year, Cinemalaya is presented by the Cinemalaya Foundation, Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Film Development Council of the Philippines and Econolink Investments Inc. Cinemalaya is an all-digital film competition aimed at discovering new Filipino filmmakers.
For ticket information, please call the CCP Marketing Department at 551-7930 or 832-1125 local 1800 to 1808 and the CCP Box Office at 832-3704 0r 832-1125 local 1409.
Is your film a Cinemalaya 2008 entry? Have it featured in ClickTheCity! E-mail features@clickthecity.com for details. Press Releases may also be submitted through pr@clickthecity.com
