Lorenzo: Eleven years later: Why Cinemagis Film Festival still matters

THE Cinemagis Northern Mindanao Digital Short Film Festival celebrated its 11th year in 2019, culminating at the recently concluded awarding ceremony last Saturday, January 26, at SM City CDO Event Center where 21 films have been recognized.

Pioneered by the Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts under the directorship of Hobart Savior, the film festival has established its legacy as an avenue where filmmakers in the region can participate in friendly competition and strive for excellence in their craft.

True enough, Cinemagis has become a springboard for artists where most filmmakers and actors that have made their names in show business and have made it in the film industry in the country (if not the world) initially involved themselves. We have seen some filmmakers that previously joined Cinemagis receive recognition by international film festivals (Joe Bacus, among others), lauded by national critics (Jasmine Limas), establish their own production company in the local scene (Tat Soriano and Edmund Telmo), and accomplish full-length feature (Julienne Ilagan).

But behind the glitz and glamour of the festival, which I believe is Cagayan de Oro’s equivalent to Hollywood’s Academy Awards (but only for short films), Cinemagis transcends from being a gateway for passionate filmmakers to becoming a platform for advocacy and education. Particularly, it views regional filmmaking through a distinct lens, according to the filmmaker’s desired narrative, to let viewers understand the realities happening in Northern Mindanao.

There is a reason why this year’s list of official entries - both in the student and senior categories - holds the record for being the highest number of films Cinemagis has accepted and presented in all its 11 years.

With 21 entries in total (13 short films in student category and eight in the senior category), diversity became one of the major highlights of this year’s film festival. Because of this, we got to see authentic films with narratives based on the style and voices of filmmakers from Ozamis City, Iligan City, and even as far as Agusan del Norte, apart from Cagayan de Oro City, which arguably takes pride as the melting pot of the region. Beyond experiencing excellence, however, filmmakers from various schools (Liceo de Cagayan University, Cagayan de Oro College, Lapasan National High School, and Saint Michael College of Caraga) other than Xavier Ateneo have also made it in the official list.

This year’s diverse films have depicted issues that may raise social awareness that viewers can learn about. To name a few, Kenneth Sabijon’s “Kasubo sa Kahidlaw (Sorrows of Deep Longing)” reveals the ordeal of young revolutionaries aiming for change in the country. Angelo Miguel Dabbay’s “Perya” shows the realities of one’s isolation. Cath Veluz and Joie Tan’s “Einna” deals with the trial shared between a mother and her daughter. Rodiell Veloso’s “Sore” attempts to draw barriers between sexual norms. The two best films in the student and senior categories – “Anggulo” by Noriell Joyce Dalman and “3021” by Edmund Telmo – contained culturally significant narratives and innovative storytelling that give evidence to the region’s promising talents.

In spite of their uniqueness, all these films are anchored on common ground upon which Cinemagis has founded - the vibrant filmmaking initiatives in Northern Mindanao. Although mainstream cinema may produce blockbuster hits, it is in the narratives of local filmmakers that viewers find elements, themes, and ideals that are relatable and worthy of understanding. Local films made for the local audience, regardless of their length, hold relevance which I believe mainstream films - most of which attempt to follow pop culture trends - could not measure and relate to.

This is what validates Cinemagis as a film festival. This artistic initiative, funded and supported by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Film Development Council of the Philippines, requires more than just a celebration. Just by providing a platform for advocacy and education (particularly in the local scene), Cinemagis has become worthy of appreciation. Perhaps, this was what made it reach 11 years; and this would pave its way for 11 and more years to come.

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph