MANILA, Philippines - In its fourth year, the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), has gone mainstream.

It’s an observation shared by viewers, finalists, even an organizer.

“Cinemalaya is now famous,” pointed out Chris Martinez, director of the entry, “100.” “Foreign programmers now troop to the CCP to find movies for their festivals. Our country has become a hotspot for excellent cinema.”

Ned Trespeces, director of “My Fake American Accent,” noted, “Cinemalaya has built an audience.”

‘Captive’ audience

It’s “a captive” audience of students and cineastes that, according to Joel Ruiz (director of “Baby Angelo”), is “growing by the thousands each year.”

Nes Jardin, CCP president, confirmed this, saying that this year’s viewer head count could exceed last year’s figure of 23,000.

Another sure sign that it has “grown by leaps and bounds” (as Jardin put it) is that even non-traditional sources of financing embraced an entry this year.

Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil, director of “Boses,” related that, apart from the Film Development Council of the Philippines and National Commission for Culture and the Arts, her film received “support from the United Nations’ Children’s Fund (Unicef), Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Council for the Welfare of Children.”

Avocacy material

It helped that her film espoused the three groups’ advocacy, “Children Against Violence.” “They were also looking for a material that could help them in their campaign,” explained Marfil.

She conceded that “Boses” is an attempt to combine art, advocacy and commerce—through “melodrama.”

Robbie Tan, head of the production and monitoring team, admitted that organizers had picked a “wide variety of films.” “This year’s films are more accessible,” he asserted.

Paul Morales, director of “Concerto,” agreed: “It’s a broad selection of themes and stories.”

Obvious sign

Perhaps the most obvious sign that the indie festival has found a mainstream audience is that Regal producer Lily Monteverde watched and enjoyed two entries: “100” and “Boses.”

Now, that Cinemalaya seems to have hit the big time, a vital concern is raised by Michael Cardoz, director of “Ranchero”: “They say Cinemalaya is bigger this year. I hope it can give more to the people who support it. I hope that even those who have no money to buy tickets can also watch.”

An example was set by Marfil—a screening of “Boses” was attended by 200 kids from Pangarap Shelter and Hands On Manila.

Paul Sta. Ana, director of “Huling Pasada,” expressed the hope that Cinemalaya would continue to pursue its original goal: “to showcase the talent of independent filmmakers and celebrate the challenges and joys of the process. Such solidarity is what makes this event special.”

The Cinemalaya awards ceremony is set tonight at the CCP.

Cash prizes are up for grabs.

Best Film full-length gets P200,000 and Best Film short, P100,000. An HDV camera goes to the Best Director; P50,000 and RoadRunner editing package, to the Jury Prize full-length; and P25,000, to the Jury Prize short. Audience choice winners get P50,000 (full-length) and P25,000 (short).

Organizers have also added two new categories: Best Supporting Actor and Actress.

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