MANILA, Philippines?Film buffs generally agree that the 2008 Cinemalaya festival?s full-length movies are more technically polished and better made than many of the entries in past editions of the alternative cinematic showcase and competition. They praise the new filmmakers for that improvement?but many of them overlook the fact that part of the credit should go to the festival?s production and monitoring team.

Process

Headed by veteran producer, Robbie Tan, with Mike Sandejas and Benny Medina as members, the team makes sure that tyro filmmakers are assisted and mentored throughout the Cinemalaya preproduction, production and post-production process.

Tan also makes it easier for the new filmmakers who?ve made it to the competition?s final 10 to gain access to stars and production people?at friendly rates?so their tyro efforts can be bolstered by proven professional competence.

A few new filmmakers chafe at some of the team?s comments, but most Cinemalaya finalists realize that the comments are coming from a good and helpful place, and react positively to them.

Still, we feel that tyro filmmakers haven?t thanked the team enough. After the first Cinemalaya, we pointed this out, and were gratified when most of the finalists went public with their expressions of gratitude. This year, a similar reminder is in order.

?Not because Tan and his team members ?need? the public display of (belated) gratitude. They get enough psychic satisfaction from seeing the improvement in the mentored filmmakers? work on the screen?and from cineastes? favorable comments on the improvement.

But, we feel that it?s part of tyro filmmakers? development as artists?and as persons?that they be aware of the help they get along their way to competence, and acknowledge it.

In the complicated world of filmmaking, it really isn?t good for a new filmmaker to think that he did it all by himself. That?s why we were disappointed to hear, during one awards rites, some new filmmakers declaring they had nobody to thank other than themselves. We trust that other tyro filmmakers won?t be as smug.