MANILA, Philippines? The Cinemalaya Foundation, in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) on Thursday announced the finalists for the Cinemalaya 2011 competition.

The Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and Competition is the biggest independent film festival and competition in the country.

?The Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and Competition seeks to discover, encourage, and honor the cinematic works of Filipino filmmakers that boldly articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity,? the CCP said in a statement.

The competition has three categories, the New Breed Full Length Feature (open to Filipino filmmakers who have not yet directed more than three full length commercial films), the Directors Showcase (for Filipino directors who have made at least three full-length commercial feature films), and the New Breed Short Feature Category.

In the same statement, the CCP named the 10 finalists for the New Breed Full Length Feature Category as: Amok by Lawrence Fajardo; Ang Babae sa Septic Tank by Chris Martinez; Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa by Alemberg Ang and Alvin Yapan; Baby Factory by Edwardo W. Roy, Jr. and Jerome Zamora; Cuchera by Joseph Israel M. Laban and Janice O'Hara; E-libings: "Your Loss, Our Luck" by Rommel Andreo Sales; Ligo na U, Lapit Na Me by Noel Ferrer, Jerry Gracio and Erick Salud; Niño by Loy Arcenas; Teoriya by Alistaire Christian E. Chan; and The Dog Show by Ralston G. Jover.

Meanwhile, the five finalists for the Directors Showcase are Bisperas (Eve) by Jeffrey Jeturian; Busong (Fate) by Auraeus Solito; Henerala by Mario O'Hara; Isda (Fable of the Fish) by Adolfo Alix Jr. and Patikul by Joel C. Lamangan.

The Cinemalaya, the biggest independent film festival and competition in the country, which aims to discover, encourage, and pay tribute to Filipino filmmakers, is a partnership of the Cinemalaya Foundation, the CCP together with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), and the Econolink Investments, Inc. (EEI).

?The works are narrative features that articulate Filipino identity and culture in digital format,? the CCP said.

Finalists for both the New Breed Full Length Feature and Directors Showcase will each receive a P500,000 seed grant from the Cinemalaya Foundation. The winner of the Best Full Length Feature Film will receive a cash prize of P200,000 and a Balanghai Trophy while the Best Film for the Directors Showcase Category will get a P300,000 cash prize and a Balanghai Trophy.

Meanwhile, the Cinemalaya Foundation has also announced that they are accepting entries for the New Breed Short Feature Category.

Interested filmmakers must submit their entries, together with a duly completed application form, the synopsis of the film entry (in English or Filipino), a brief resume and two recent 2x2 photos of the filmmaker(s), on or before 6:00 pm of February 25, 2011 to the Media Arts Division of the CCP.

All entries must be in DVD format properly labeled with the title, director?s name, production outfit?s address and contact numbers, production date and film?s running time. All entries must be submitted in a long brown envelope, properly labeled with the filmmakers? name and contact details.

The 10 finalists for the Short Feature Category will be announced on March 31, 2011. The winner of the Short Feature Category will receive a cash prize of P100,000.00 and the Balanghai trophy.

The Cinemalaya 2011 will open on July 15, 2011 at the CCP. All winners will be named during the Cinemalaya awarding ceremony on July 24, 2011.

For more information, please visit www.culturalcenter.gov.ph, www.cinemalaya.org, and the CCP Facebook page.