NCCA: Pelikultura 2019 celebrates unity of regional cinema

LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA - The biggest film festival in Southern Tagalog, Pelikultura: The Calabarzon Film Festival 2019 will be held on March 13 to 15 at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). Now on its ninth year, the festival is presented by UPLB PelikuLAB, UPLB Department of Humanities, Film Development Council of the Philippines, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the UPLB Office of the Chancellor.

This year’s theme is inspired by the encompassing, life-sustaining, and free flowing beauty of Laguna Lake. Like the lake that unites the provinces of Region 4A and extends to Metro Manila, Pelikultura continues its mission of providing a platform for filmmakers, both budding and professional, from Calabarzon and neighboring regions.

The festival will feature four full-length films: Carving Thy Faith (2018) by Hiyas Baldemor Bagabaldo (to be screened back-to-back with the short film Bukod kang Pinagpala sa Babaeng Lahat by Lyxen Nicolas); Sa Palad ng Dantaong Kulang (2017) by Jewel Maranan; Almaata (2018) by Arnel Mardoquio; and a restored version of Nunal sa Tubig (1976) by Ishmael Bernal.

Among the activities lined up for the festival include: (1) a lecture on Film Appreciation by Rolando Tolentino, (2) workshops on Documentary Filmmaking and Film Editing by Jewel Maranan and Keith Deligero, and (3) a special exhibition which features works from filmmakers from the Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia.

As with the previous editions, this year’s festival will showcase short films from CALABARZON’s budding and professional filmmakers. From 92 submissions, 23 films were shortlisted to compete in two categories: seven films for the open category and 16 for the student category.

The special category #BuhayElbi is still part of this year’s edition. Winners will be selected by the festival jury composed of Tolentino, Maranan, and Deligero. Best films from the student and open categories will each receive P10,000 during the awarding ceremonies on March 15.

All shortlisted films this year have the chance to be screened next year in the Calabarzon program of the annual Cinema Rehiyon--the national film festival of regional cinemas that showcases various cultures throughout the Philippines.

For inquiries, interested parties may visit www.facebook.com/Pelikultura, or contact UPLB PelikuLAB through pelikulab@gmail.com or 0997 601 8466 for more information.

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