MANILA, Philippines — The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival announces the 10 finalists in its Short Film Category as the premier competition sails to the virtual stage in its 16th year, in response to the major global shift brought by the pandemic.
In a recent announcement, following months of deliberation amid the quarantine, the finalists are as follows: Ang Gasgas na Plaka ni Lolo Bert by Janina Gacosta and Cheska Marfori; Ang Pagpakalma sa Unos (To Calm the Pig Inside) by Joanna Vasquez Arong; Excuse Me Miss Miss, Miss by Sonny Calvento; Fatigued by James Robin M. Mayo; Living Things by Martika Ramirez Escobar; Quing Lalam ning Aldo (Under the Sun) by Reeden Fajardo; Pabasa Kan Pasyon by Hubert Tibi; Tokwifi by Carla Pulido Ocampo; Utwas by Richard Jeroui Salvadico and Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay; and The Slums by Jan Andrei Cobey.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the country’s biggest independent film festival will transition to virtual theater via Vimeo. It was in March of this year, following the imposition of the Enhanced Community Quarantine when the acclaimed institution announced the postponement of the festival, that was originally set for August of 2020.
Not long after, last May, Cinemalaya announced that it will continue with its tradition of sourcing for the best independent films like Auraeus Solito’s Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros, Francis Pasion’s Jay, Veronica Velasco’s Last Supper No. 3, Marlon Rivera’s Ang Babae sa Septic Tank, down to last year’s multi-awarded films like Arden Rod Condez’ John Denver Trending and Thop Nazareno’s Edward.
This year’s festival will focus on Short Films in Competition, Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video, Cinemalaya Retrospectives, Short Films in Exhibition and many more.
Co-produced by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Cinemalaya Foundation, Cinemalaya 2020 will run from August 7 to 16, 2020.