12th Cinemalaya Opens This August at the CCP; Expands to Cebu

The 12th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival will be bigger this year as it expands its reach beyond Metro Manila to Cebu City this August.

In Metro Manila, Cinemalaya opens at its main venue on August 5-14 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and at satellite venues at Ayala Cinemas in Greenbelt 3 and Glorietta, Makati, Trinoma, and UP Town Center, Quezon City, and Nuvali, Sta. Rosa. In Cebu, Cinemalaya will run from August 9-14 at Ayala Mall.

This year's festival, which carries the theme "Break the Surface", marks the return of the Full Length Feature category. Nine entries will vie for the Cinemalaya Award, namely: Ang Bagong Pamilya ni Ponching by Inna Miren Salazar and Dos Ocampo, Dagsin by Atom Magadia, Hiblang Abo by Ralston Jover, I America by Ivan Andrew Payawal, Kusina by David Corpuz and Cenon Palomares, Lando at Bugoy by Vic Acedillo, Jr., Mercury is Mine by Jason Paul Laxamana, Pamilya Ordinaryo by Eduardo Roy, Jr., and Tuos by Derick Cabrido.

Ten entries will complete in the Short Feature category. These are: Ang Hapon ni Nanding (Nanding's Afternoons) by Rommel Tolentino, Ang Maangas, Ang Marikit at ang Makata by Jose Ibarra Guballa, Bugtaw by Noah Del Rosario, Butas by Richard Cawed, Fish Out of Water by Mon A.L. Garilao, Forever Natin by Cyrus Valdez, Get Certified by Isaias Herrera Zantua, Mansyong Papel by Ogos Aznar, Nakauwi na by John Relano, Patrick Baleros and Luis Hidalgo, Pektus by Isabel Quesada.

Cinemalaya will offer the following sections this year: Festival's Best, Asian Showcase, Documentaries, Tribute to Francis Pasion, and Cinemalaya Institute Showcase. The Cinemalaya Campus, a major component of the Festival, will be held on August 9-10 at the CCP Little Theater. The Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video, which is considered the longest-running independent film competition of its kind in the ASEAN/Asian region, will have its 28th run during Cinemalaya.

For more information about Cinemalaya, visit www.cinemalaya.org, www.culturalcenter.gov.ph and the Cinemalaya Facebook page or CCP Media Arts at telephone number 832-1125 local 1704-1705 and the CCP box office at 832-3704.