MANILA, Philippines - A 12-year-old boy’s coming-of-age story. A tale of friars and landlords. A childhood drama set in the slums of Davao. A comedy on struggling students. A road trip to Ilocos. A family drama. A romantic movie set in Pangasinan.
These are the films competing in this year’s Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival, which showcases the talents of local independent cinema and encourages the creation of original, full-length films.
Seven films were picked from over 100 manuscripts and concept story lines. Finalists will get P1 million each as grant from Creative Programs Inc., ABS-CBN’s cable program network, which also produces the Lifestyle Network and MYX channels.
“Dose.” Written and directed by Senedy H. Que, this is a sensual melodrama about a gardener and a 12-year-old boy.
“Kolorete” takes viewers back to the time when friars and landlords ruled. Rural folk are mounting a tour de force performance that they hope will change history’s course. Ruelo Lozendo directs.
No theme
“Imburnal” is a childhood drama set in the slums of San Antonio, Davao. At the helm is Sherad Anthony Sanchez, whose previous Cinema One film, “Huling Balyan ng Buhi,” has won in film festivals abroad.
“Upcat.” Director Roman Carlo Olivares’ first venture, this teen comedy with the tagline “Ito and mga kuwento ng Sukatan, Pasikatan, at Shaded Circles,” is about the different characters that shape the State University.
“Motorcycle.” Karlo de Guzman writes and Jon Red directs this family drama of a son’s motorcycle ride to Ilocos, on his father’s instructions. The main character’s memories run in reverse, slowly uncovering keys to their past.
“Yanggaw.” Richard Somes’ film is a family drama where happy moments are interspersed with bitterness.
“Alon.” A tender tale of love between a sad man and a lonely girl, set in Agno, Pangasinan, this meditation of love and the sea is written by Raymund Gerard C. Cruz. Rob Bryant directs.
Ronald Arguelles, Cinema One director for programming, said this year’s festival has no theme, and that the chosen films reflect Cinema One’s wide niche market.
The week-long festival kicks off Sept. 3.
Email mcruz@inquirer.com.ph
