Sine Negrense showcases new breed of film makers

NINETEEN short films are competing in the Sine Negrense: Negros Island Film Festival 2017 set on November 27 to 29 in Bacolod City.

The three-day festival, held for the first time in Negros, is presented by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), The Negros Museum, Design Brewer, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Committee on Cinema.

The Short Film Competition component themed “Negrense New Wave” encourages the new breed of film makers to find their voice as Negrenses to tell their own stories through film.

It also hopes to provide a viable outlet of expression and aims to bring out a new generation of filmmakers and enthusiast as well as cultivate an informed public on the importance of cinema and storytelling in the context of national identity, culture and heritage.

The FDCP has a two-part thrust.

First is Artistic Development, to develop the competency of the filmmakers in all aspects of the film process, and second is the Audience Development, to broaden the taste and critical thinking of the local movie goers.

With the theme, “Fuel to burning passion,” the FDCP and Sine Negrense aims to bring out a new generation of filmmakers and enthusiasts as well as well as cultivate an informed public on the importance of cinema and storytelling in terms of national identity, culture and heritage.

Entries

The 19 entries, including eight in the Open Category and 11 in the Inter-Collegiate Category, were presented by the project staff led by festival director Tanya Lopez, programme director Adrian Torres, and co-festival director Rodolfo “Banjo” Hinolan in a press conference held at the House of Frida here Tuesday.

“Sine Negrense is a venue, a platform for local filmmakers to hone their craft. It’s a good way to promote local talent,” Lopez said.

The entries in the Open Category include “Adobo,” directed by Val Vestil; “Alibungan,” by Matthew Piodena; “Dalit,” by Belle Kay Loyola; “Five Sorrowful Mysteries,” by Shannan Gonzales; “Happy Birthday,” by Gkie Erebaren; “Hawud,” by Paul Venzi Florendo; “Kaasab,” by Vince Divinagracia; and “Handuraw,” by Gilbert Basilio.   

Six entries are from Negros Occidental while two – Vestil’s “Adobo” and Florendo’s “Hawud,” are from Negros Oriental.

Competing in the Inter-Collegiate Category are five short films by students of Carlos Hilado Memorial State College (CHMSC) of Talisay City. These are “Kapit,” directed by Gemma Acaling; “Nene,” by Stephanie Marie Aliday; “Bihag,” by Franklin Latriz; “Hustisya Diin Ka?” by Kathy Rose Magan; and “Hangkat sang Kapigaduhon,” by Renz Osianas.

Two entries are from the University of Saint La Salle (USLS) in Bacolod, including  JJ Guilaran’s “Paglas-ay sang Kalamay,” and Lourdes Antenor’s “Kuebiko;” and also two from Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod  (CSA-B) – Lorezo Kenneth Dilag’s “Asu” and “Landong “ by Joaquin Angelo Alpas.”

Completing the 11 entries, which are all from Negros Occidental, are “Singgit sang Nalisdan,” directed by Carlo Navarrete of Silay Institute and “Pangalap,” by Jessie Soberano and Mark Labrador of the Department of Education Division of Sagay City.

Each category will have separate judges who are members of the NCCA Committee on Cinema.

Awards

The Sine Negrense Awards will give out three types of awards.

These are the “Ang Kadungganan sang Makina-admanon,” for the most promising film makers of the Inter-Collegiate Category; “Ang Kadungganan sang Hangkilan,” for the best film makers of the Open Category; and the “Ang Kadungganan sang Tingadlum,” for the Negrense master storyteller, dream weaver, and someone who has given back and mentored  Negrense artists/film makers.

A total of 31 awards will be presented.

In the Open Category, the Best Film will receive P20,000 cash while the Jury’s Choice will get P10,000.

The Best Film and Jury’s Choice in the Inter-Collegiate Category will win P10,000 and P5,000, respectively.

The People’s Choice in each category will be chosen through online voting via Facebook.

The Awards Night will be held on 29, 6 p.m., at the SM City Bacolod Cinema 4.

The festival’s opening ceremony on November 27, 6 p.m., also at the Cinema 4, will feature the screening of Peque Gallaga’s “Sonata,” shot in Negros Occidental.

Day 2, on November 28, will include lecture-forums and screenings of exhibition films and Sine Negrense entries at the USLS, CSA-B and CHMSC campuses. (NLG)