MANILA, Philippines?If life imitates art, or even if it?s the other way around, then films in this year?s Cinemalaya Festival have done a great job of capturing reality?and remarkably made good art out of it.

In trailers alone of over a dozen movies in the Full length and Short Film categories, Cinemalaya has shown that movie enthusiasts could expect to see more thought-provoking, creatively-made movies this year.

?This year?s films have better quality,? Laurice Guillen told reporters during the launch of Cinemalaya Cinco, the fifth year of the country?s premiere independent film festival. The films will run from July 17 to July 26 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Guillen said foreign guests who pledged to join the festival have increased, a sign the world is beginning to recognize Filipino films.

CPP president Nestor Jardin said that last year alone the festival attracted 29,000 viewers?a high number of movie-goers for any independent film fest. The festival started with only 8,000 patrons during its first year.

?We?re proud to say we have helped, nurtured, supported more than 50 film makers,? said Jardin.

Ten differently-themed movies are competing for this year?s full length category?from ?Ang Panggagahasa kay Fe,? a moving story of a rape victim, to ?Engkwentro? to the vigilante killings in Davao City, to ?Nerseri?, a story of a boy who has to make ends meet for his older siblings.

There are also simple plots but highly relevant stories like ?Last Supper No.3?, which portrays the Philippine justice system; ?Sanglaan,? a story of a pawnshop and its owners; ?24K? a story of a treasure hunter; ?Colorum? which tells about a policeman ironically driving an illegal public vehicle to earn money; ?Dinig Sana Kita? a love story of a deaf-mute and ?Astig? a story of children who personify the grim images of Manila.

Amazingly, each film has only about P500,000 budget, a grant from Cinemalaya.

There are also 10 finalists for the Short Film category, whose entries are expected not to be over 20 minutes.

In this category are: Behind Close Doors; Blogog; Bonsai; Musa; Si Bok at ang Mga Trumpo; Tatang; Ugat sa Lupa; and Wat Floor Ma?am.

The best full length story will get a P200,000 grant while those in the short film category will get a P100,000 grant.