MANILA, Philippines - Three Filipino independent filmmakers were each awarded the Hubert Bals Fund (HBF) by the International Film Festival of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, Inquirer Entertainment learned on Friday.

The Hubert Bals Fund provides grants to “remarkable or urgent” feature films and creative documentaries by independent filmmakers.

In an e-mail sent to Adolf Alix Jr., HBF coordinators Bianca Taal and Janneke Langelaan said the amoung of 10,000 euros has been earmarked for the “script and project development” of the director’s upcoming film, “Kalayaan.”

“Our selection committee has read your project with much enthusiasm, and we sincerely hope that this support will contribute to the further development of your script,” the HBF coordinators said.

“Kalayaan,” a story on the plight of Filipino soldiers assigned in the Spratly Islands, will feature Lao-Australian actor Ananda Everingham in the lead role. Everingham is best known for his role as photographer in the 2004 horror film “Shutter.”

Also included in the list of 26 filmmakers who will share the 385,000-euro Hubert Bals Fund are indie directors Lav Diaz for his digital film “The Great Desaparecido” and Roxlee for the post-production work on his “Green Rocking Chair,” according to an article on www.varietyasiaonline.com.

The HBF will go to filmmakers from 17 countries, mainly in Asia and Latin America.

Close to 600 projects from independent filmmakers in Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Africa and Latin America have received support since the Hubert Bals Fund started in 1988. Annually, the HBF has close to 1.2 million euros at its disposal, according to the Rotterdam IFF website.

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Indies update

‘Daybreak’
Alix reports that this gay romance, written by Charliebebs Gohetia, has recently been signed to a contract with Waterbearer Films for theatrical and video distribution in Northern America. The film, starring Coco Martin and Paolo Rivero, is now on DVD with Videoflick as distributor.

“Gusto Kita Too”
Rica Arevalo’s short film will be screened, alongside Will Fredo’s full-length feature “Sa Pagdapo ng Mariposa,” at Robinson Galleria’s IndieSine starting May 21.

This is the first time for IndieSine, a theater dedicated to alternative movies by indie filmmakers, to feature a full-length movie with a short film.

“Gusto Kita Too” is a romantic comedy that casts Fil-Am talents Brian Reyes and Casey Pascual as they pursue true love in this funny Pinoy-style courtship. Arevalo is behind award-winning indie features “ICU Bed #7” and “Saan Nagtatago si Happiness?”

“Gusto” is produced by Mediarevolution Film Productions. Maan dela Cruz is film editor. Original music is by Jerrold Tarog.

“Ambulancia”
Richard Legaspi’s short film, grand prize winner at the Viva Pinoy Box Office Digitales 2, recently represented the country in the 5th Naoussa International Short Film and Video Festival in Greece.

“Ambulancia” tells of a painful twist in an ambulance driver’s belief that a dying patient can be saved by running over stray animals on the streets. It features Alan Paule and Nor Domingo.

The short film competition in Naoussa, considered the most important digital cinema festival in Southeastern Europe, was held May 8 to 11 at the Municipal Theater in Naoussa. More than 250 films from 50 countries competed.

“Ang Manghuhula”
Eula Valdez, Glaiza de Castro and Chanda Romero lend star power to this independent film by Paolo Herras.

Valdez plays Messina, an outcast and failed fortuneteller who returns home to save her daughter Claire (De Castro) from a fate she desperately hopes to escape. To do this, Messina has to embrace the gift she has vowed to give up.

Romero plays Valdez’s mother and the town fortuneteller. Emilio Garcia, Pinky Amador and Bella Flores also star.

Herras, a graduate of comparative literature, is currently taking his masters degree in Philippine studies at the University of the Philippines. He has participated in prestigious national writing workshops, including the 33rd UP National Writer and the 11th Ricky Lee Scriptwriting Workshop for film and TV.

“Manghuhula” has received a production grant from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

E-mail mcruz@inquirer.com.ph