THE NEWLY-BUILT Cinematheque Nabunturan opened its doors albeit temporarily to the public during the 2018 Nabunturan Independent Film Exhibition (Nabifilmex) held on September 19-21.
The 92-seater cinema was built by the Film Development Council of the Philippines in partnership with the local government of Nabunturan which donated a 380-square meter property located at Purok 13, Poblacion area.
“This is one of the dreams that finally materialized for the town of Compostela Valley. We are bringing the films to the people, for creative development, for awareness and even just to share stories and we are hoping to inspire more future Nabunturan filmmakers through the many programs of FDCP and the Cinematheque Nabunturan,” FDCP chairperson Liza Diño said.
The dream of a cinema in the town, which serves as the capital of Compostela Valley Province was articulated to Diño two years ago when she met filmmaking primemovers from Nabunturan led by Karen Malaki, festival director of Nabifilmex.
“It felt surreal, it has become a reality,” Malaki described her emotions when the cinematheque opened its doors to jam-packed screenings during the sixth staging of the film festival held annually in Nabunturan.
Malaki says it was her dream of having a cinema house in the town. The old movie theatre closed in the early 1990s. Nabifilmex holds its screenings using 20-foot inflatable screen donated by the Open Air Cinema, an NGO based in Thailand.
The cinematheque is a small movie theatre showing alternative cinema. The FDCP has three other cinematheques located in Manila, Iloilo and Davao City.
Cinematheque Nabunturan is the first FDCP cinematheque built from ground up. The others were existing structures which were refurbished.
The formal opening of the Nabunturan cinematheque is scheduled on the latter part of this year. Malaki is hopeful that the facility would strengthen the vibrant filmmaking community of Compostela Valley.
Several Comvalenyo films have been shown in different film festivals across the country and in international film festivals winning several awards and accolades. (PIA)