Sinag Maynila, the independent film festival established by Solar Entertainment mogul Mr. Wilson Tieng and Cannes Film Festival Best Director Brillante Mendoza, is celebrating its fifth year this 2019!
What began as a foray to help local indie filmmakers has now grown into one of the country’s major filmfests. Sinag Maynila now features three competition sections, noteworthy international exhibition films and a variety of cinema-related activities. True to its mission of bringing “sine lokal, pang-international,” Sinag Maynila has become an important pathway for Filipino film artists to communicate their stories, and an irresistible opportunity for enthusiasts to watch unique and exciting films.
Heading the list of Sinag Maynila competition films are five full-length features: “Akin ang Korona” directed by Zig Dulay, “Jesusa” directed by Ronald Carballo, “Jino To Mari” directed by Joselito “Jay” Altarejos; “Pailalim” directed by Daniel Palacio; and “Persons of Interest” directed by Ralston Jover.
Competing in the short film category are “Bisperas” by Ralph Quincena, “Dana Jung” by John Rogers, “Dude Pare Bro” by Lora Cerdan, “Kiss” by Harlene Bautista, “Kilos” by Marjon Santos, “Marian” by Brian Patrick Lim, “Memories of the Rising Sun” by Lawrence Fajardo, “Nagmamahal, Sal” by Jeff Subrabas, “Ngiti ni Nazareno” by Louie Ignacio, and “Panaghoy” by Alvin Baloloy.
Meanwhile, those competing in the documentary category are “At Home” by Arjanmar H. Rebeta, “Entablado” by Lie Rain Clemente and Nori Jane Isturis, “Hope Spots” by Joseph Dominic Cruz, “Hyatt: Mga Kuwento, Lihim at Katotohanan” by Jayvee V. Bucsit, and “Tata Pilo” by Dexter Macaraeg.
Sinag Maynila 5 opens on Wednesday April 3, 2019, with “Lakbayan” a three-part omnibus film by Brillante Mendoza, Lav Diaz and National Artist for Film Kidlat Tahimik — all of whom are awardees at the Berlin International Film Festival and have made their marks in several international filmfests. Festival proper starts on Thursday, April 4 in select cinemas (full schedule to follow).
The first of three FDCP Film Talks will be on Saturday, April 6 with speakers Ms. Joanne Goh, Chairman of the Malaysia International Film Festival, Michael Werner, an American-born, Hong Kong–based producer, strategic consultant and producers’ rep, and Brillante Mendoza, Executive Producer of “Lakbayan” and Festival Director of Sinag Maynila. Winners of the competition will be announced at the Gabi ng Parangal to be held on Sunday, April 7.
This year, FDCP will be hosting a Fellowship Night on April 5 followed by more FDCP Talks in the next few days. A Film Editing workshop on April 10 to be conducted by Mr. John Anthony Wong, Managing Director of Edge Manila Creatives Corporation. Then on April 12, there will also be an environmental film screening and forum with resource speaker Fiona Faulkner, Environmental and Community Development Officer of The Plastic Solution. Finally, Sinag Maynila closes with the film “Journey”, an Asian Three-Fold Mirror project by The Japan Foundation Asia Center.
Sinag Maynila 5 is presented by McDonald’s and Co-presented by Nissan. In partnership with the Film Development Council of The Philippines (FDCP) and Cinelokal, in celebration of 100 years of Philippine cinema.
Special thanks to: The Plastic Solution, WWF-Philippines, Edge Manila Creatives Corporation, and The Japan Foundation Asia Center.
Official Theaters: SM Cinema North Edsa, SM Cinema Megamall, SM Cinema Manila, Gateway Cineplex, FDCP Cinematheque Manila, Cinema Centenario, Cinema 76 San Juan, Cinema 76 Anonas, and Black Maria Cinema.
Official Event Venue Partners: The Podium, Conrad Manila, SM, and SM Cinema.
For more information, log on to www.sinagmaynila.com and www.facebook.com/SinagMaynila/.
