Cinemanila International Film Festival

The Cinemanila International Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Manila, the Philippines. It was founded by Filipino filmmaker Amable "Tikoy" Aguiluz in 1999. The focus of the festival is on the cinema of the Philippines as well as Southeast Asian cinema.

The Cinemanila icon is the bulol, a deity whose presence ensures good harvest. The Cinemanila International Film Festival invokes the bulol as a blessing towards the Filipino film industry in general – as a prayer towards good harvest, a plentiful bounty of excellent Filipino films. In the festival's competitive section, the top award is the Lino Brocka Award, given in honor of the acclaimed Filipino director, Lino Brocka. Another award, the Ishmael Bernal Award for Young Cinema, was first given at the 2000 festival, in honor of Filipino director Ishmael Bernal, to young independent Filipino filmmakers.

One of Cinemanila's running components is Sine Barangay - a three-day event with free film appreciation and education workshops, culminating in an outdoor screening to barangay residents.[1] It was previously held at the Marikina Riverbanks and Bonifacio High Street. In 2012, Cinemanila will launch the "Cinemanila Moonlight Series", regular outdoor screenings expanded from Sine Barangay, to take place over the course of Manila's dry season.

History

The second Cinemanila was held from July 3 to 10, 1999 in Mandaluyong City. It was the first international film festival in the Philippines since the Manila International Film Festival, which had been held in the 1980s.[2] (There is the Metro Manila Film Festival, but it is a national festival screening only Filipino films.) The festival featured a lecture on cinematography by Australian-Hong Kong cinematographer Christopher Doyle.

The festival has typically been a low-key affair in terms of red-carpet visits by foreign celebrities. However, in 2003, the festival honored Hollywood stars with Filipino-American roots, and was graced by Lou Diamond Phillips, Tia Carrere, Dean Devlin and Rob Schneider. The same year, the first Lifetime Achievement Award was given, honoring Indonesian actress Christine Hakim.[3]

In 2007, director Quentin Tarantino and Thai director Chatrichalerm Yukol were among the Lifetime Achievement recipients. A retrospective of Tarantino's feature films was shown, from Reservoir Dogs to Kill Bill. He attended the awards ceremony at Malacañan Palace, accepting the award from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Both the president and the honoree were late to ceremony due to being stuck in a traffic jam. Tarantino, accompanied by festival founder Tikoy Aguiluz, took a pedicab to make it to the ceremony, and showed up without leather shoes as required to enter the palace. He was given a new pair of shoes by Aquiliuz.[4]

The festival is closely identified with its founder, filmmaker Tikoy Aguiluz, who has a reputation as a maverick. In 2006, he accused the Philippine media of not doing enough to promote the festival and independent films, stating at a news conference: "All I want from you writers are three lines and a picture promoting the festival. Why do you think it's so hard for independent producers to have success here, locally? I haven't seen any support from either broadsheet or tabloids with any story on independent cinema."[5]

Among the world community of film festivals, Cinemanila has gained respectability with its programming of independent Asian film. Jurors at past festivals have included Christian Jeune, director of the film department of the Cannes Film Festival.[6]

Early incarnations of the festival were held outside of Manila, though still in the Metro Manila area, in Makati City, and for a time was known as the Makati Cinemanila International Film Festival. In 2005, the festival moved to the Manila city limits, with screenings held at SM City Manila and Robinsons Ermita cinemas.[7][8]

Awards

1999

The inaugural year for the festival included a lecture on cinematography by Christopher Doyle. Adoor Gopalakrishnan was honored in the "Director in Focus" program.

2000

The first year for Ishmael Bernal Award for Young Cinema, which is primarily given to alternative, independent films. The "Director in Focus" was Majid Majidi from Iran.

2001

The "Director in Focus" was Nonzee Nimibutr from Thailand. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was the guest of honor.

2002

The Cinemanila-ASEF Film Development Plan and a scriptwriting competition were launched. A "Direct Action Cinema" workshop was conducted by Rob Nilsson and a cinematography workshop was conducted by Pierre-William Glenn.

2003

A Tribute to Filipino-American Hollywood celebrities was held, honoring Lou Diamond Phillips, Tia Carrere, Dean Devlin, Fritz Friedman and Rob Schneider. The first Lifetime Achievement Award was given, honoring Indonesian actress Christine Hakim.

2004

The "Director in Focus" was Jafar Panahi.

2005

Special tributes to Roger Corman and Hong Kong filmmaker Yonfan were held. The "Director in Focus" was Raymond Red. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Kim Dong Ho, director of the Pusan International Film Festival.[7]

2006

Lifetime Achievement Awards were given to Aruna Vasudev and Philip Cheah during awards night at Malacañan Palace by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

International Cinema

Digital Lokal
  • Grand Prize: Manoro by Brillante Mendoza
  • Jury Prize: Squatterpunk by Khavn De la Cruz
  • Best Director: Brillante Mendoza for Manoro
  • Best Actress: Maricel Soriano for Numbalikdiwa
  • Best Actor: Archie Adamos for Raket ni Nanay
  • Audience Favorite Awards:
    • Numbalikdiwa by Bobby Bonifacio, Jr.
    • Anino ng Setyembre by Briccio Santos

2007

The festival was held from August 8 to 19 at Gateway Mall with an additional program from August 17 to 19 on Boracay Island. Lifetime Achievement Awards were given to Belgian director Robert Malengreau, American filmmaker Quentin Tarantino and Thai director Chatrichalerm Yukol, during awards night at Malacañan Palace by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

International Cinema

Digital Lokal
  • Lino Brocka Award: Autohystoria by Raya Martin
  • Ishmael Bernal Award for Young Cinema: Delusions by Ernest Michael Manalastas
  • Best Short Film: The Calling by Christopher Gozum
  • Best Documentary: Neo-Lounge by Joanna Arong
  • Best Director: Raya Martin for Autohystoria
  • Best Actress:
    • Ana Capri for Ala Suerte Ala Muerte
    • Maris Dimayuga for Ala Suerte Ala Muerte

2008

The 10th edition of the festival took place from October 15 to 29 at the Gateway Mall Cinemas in Cubao. The festival hosted the Asian screening Of directors' fortnight films. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, on October 20, 2008 led the awarding of winners in the 10th-2008 Cinemanila International Film Festival at Malacañan Palace's Kalayaan Hall. The President bestowed 13 out of 17 CineManila awards to Filipinos, in the following categories of the CIFF: main, Southeast Asian, local digital, Young Cinema and documentary. The President was joined in the award ceremonies by CineManila Festival director Amable "Tikoy" Aguiluz, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) chairperson and Department of Education undersecretary Vilma Labrador, and NCCA executive director Cecile Guidote Alvarez. Cinema One Originals movies dominated the award rites.

The top Lino Brocka Grand Prize was won by Israeli film The Band's Visit, directed by Eran Kolirin. The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela (Iceland/Philippines/France) by Olaf de fleur Johannesson, received the Grand Jury Prize.[16] Other awards include:

  • Vic Silayan Award for best actor : Kenneth Moraleda for Lucky Miles (Australia)
  • Vic Silayan award for best actress : Angeli Bayani for Melancholia (Philippines)

Young Cinema
  • Marlon by Ralson Jover and James Amparo as Best Documentary, - (Citation) We award the Best Documentary award to Marlon for giving a fresh look on the subject of blindness. We applaud the directors or their sharp eye for details, their patience and their restraint. They let the mundane details of the daily life of a poor blind boy speak to the audience directly but quietly... For trusting these details to resonate with the audience universally and ..for not exploiting a subject that could be easily exploited.
  • Tumbang Preso by Antoinette Jadaone as Best Short Film, - (Citation) We applaud the film Tumbang Preso for the clever use of one set of dialogue to contrast and parallel the world of Estong as a child and Estong as a grown-up. The director understands the short film medium and has the discipline to work within the limitations of it to produce a fun and very watchable short film.
  • Ishmael Bernal Award: Christopher Gozum for Surreal Random MMS Texts para ed Ina, Agui, tan kaamong ya makaiiliw ed sika: gurgurlis ed banua (Surreal Random MMS Texts for a mother, a sister, and a wife who longs for you: landscape with figures) - (Citation) We found Christopher Gozum’s flm inspiring. He was able to combine the beauty of Carlos Bulasan’s poetry with minimalist and random images of LCD screens, daily life, creating rhythm light and sound from them to convey the longing and displacement of a Filipino working in the Middle East. Revelatory and humbling, we hope this award will encourage the director to continue his quest of mapping the human heart through film.

Southeast Asia Film Competition
  • Frou Frou... Shhh, Huwag Mong Sabihin kay Itay by Michael Juat as Best Southeast Asian Short Film - (Citation) Clever appropriation of cinematic, media and cultural clichés done with finely tuned comedy. uses a glossy exterior and high production values to deceptively comment of notions of artistic expression and satirises everything from a cynical but biting point of view.
  • Confessional by Jerrold Tarog and Ruel Dahis Antipuesto as Best SEA Film, - (Citation) Clever execution of the mockumentary style to comment on the art of filmmaking, personal relationships, politics, and culture. The film was well orchestrated in the use of film making production elements to support a point of view and engage the audience. Showed great ability in amalgamating seemingly disparate elements to a cohesive whole.
  • Anita Linda - Best Actress for Adela. - (Citation) A beautifully understated performance rich in emotional nuances. Showing a great reflective understanding of the relationships between the different characters within the film’s microcosm.
  • Mario Maurer - Best Actor for The Love of Siam. - (Citation) Mature acting choices within a wide range of situations. Beneath a calm and placid external demeanor his performance he displayed a rich inner struggle dealing with emotional burdens, with family, friends, his social circle and his romantic and sexual awakening.

Digital Lokal
  • Lino Brocka Grand Prize to Sherad Anthony Sanchez for his film Imburnal, - (Citation) Water as the greatest metaphor on the lifeblood of the Filipino – this film earnestly shows the experience is both harrowing and poignant.
  • Lino Brocka Grand Jury Prize to Raya Martin for Next Attraction, - (Citation) It is a strongly structured film and Martin’s work is showing us a new path for cinematic language
  • Best Actor - Carlo Aquino for Carnivore,
  • Best Actress - Jodi Sta. Maria for Sisa,
  • Best Director - Ato Bautista for Carnivore.

United Nations Millennium Development Goals Prize
  • Zan-Ay: Candles Burning on Still Water by Nilo Tolentino[17][18][19]

International Cinema

Southeast Asia Film Competition
  • Best Short Film - Focal Point by Alizera Khatami and Ali Seiffouri,
  • Best Film - Talentime by Yasmin Ahmad,
  • Special Mention - Woman on Fire Looks for Water by Woo Ming Jin.

Young Cinema
  • Best Short Film - To Siomai Love by Remton Siega Zuasola,
  • Ishmael Bernal Award for Young Cinema - To Siomai Love by Remton Siega Zuasola.

Digital Lokal
  • Lino Brocka Grand Jury Prize - Biyaheng Lupa by Armando Lao,
  • Lino Brocka Grand Prize - Anacbanua by Christopher Gozum,
  • Best Director - Christopher Gozum for Anacbanua .

2010

The 2010 festival opened with Pinoy Sunday by Wi Ding Ho, a Filipino comedy directed by a Malaysian born filmmaker living in Taiwan. It closed with John Sayles' Amigo.

Guests of the festival included Thai superstar Ananda Everingham, filmmaker Im Sang Soo (The Housemaid, South Korea), journalist Stephen Cremin (FilmBiz Asia), filmmaker Wi Ding Ho, filmmaker Edmund Yeo (Malaysia), Jeonju Film Festival programmers Un-seong Yoo and Ji-hoon Jo (Jeonju, South Korea), and cinematographer Yadi Sugandi (Indonesia).

International Competition

SEA Competition
  • Best SEA Film: Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria by Remton Siega Zuasola

Digital Lokal
  • Best Director: Khavn De La Cruz for Mondomanila
  • Grand Jury Prize: Balangay by Sherad Anthony Sanchez
  • Lino Grand Prize: Di Natatapos ang Gabi by Ato Bautista

Young Cinema: Documentaries in Competition
  • Ishmael Bernal Award for Documentary: Malaya Camporedondo for Ang Panagtagpo ng Akong mga Apohan (The Philippines)
  • Best Documentary: Kano: An American and his Harem by Monster Jimenez (The Philippines)

Young Cinema: Shorts in Competition
  • Jury Prize: Hazard by Mikhail Red
  • Ishmael Bernal Award for Young Cinema: Christian Linaban for Doktora
  • Best Short Film: Nilda by Joy Aquino

2011

The 13th Cinemanila International Film Festival was held from November 11 to 17 in Taguig City in Metro Manila screening eighty films from thirty different countries.

Lifetime Achievement Awards were given to Filipino actress Nora Aunor, and Italian director, Dario Argento.

International Competition

Digital Lokal
  • Best Director: Mes De Guzman for Sa Kanto ng Ulap at Lupa
  • Grand Jury Prize: Sakay sa Hangin by Regiben Romana
  • Lino Grand Prize: Sa Kanto ng Ulap at Lupa by Mes de Guzman

SEA Competition

Young Cinema
  • Best Short Film: 123 by Carlo Obispo
  • Ishmael Bernal Award for Most Outstanding Young Filipino Filmmaker: Carlo Obispo for 123
  • Special Mention: Saranghae My Tutor by Victor Villanueva

2012

The 14th Cinemanila International Film Festival was held from December 5 to 11, 2012 in Bonifacio Global City in Metro Manila.

Lifetime Achievement Awards were given to Italian director Sergio Leone, Filipino directors Marilou Diaz-Abaya and Celso Ad Castillo and the Thai motion picture production and distribution company Sahamongkol Film International.

International Competition

Digital Lokal
  • Lino Grand Prize: Obscured Histories and Silent Longings of Daguluan’s Children by Teng Mangansakan
  • Grand Jury Prize: Ang Paglalakbay ng mga Bituin sa Gabing Madilim by Arnel Mardoquio
  • Best Director: Teng Mangansakan for Obscured Histories and Silent Longings of Daguluan’s Children

Young Cinema
  • Best Short Film: Ang Prinsesa, Ang Prinsipe at si Marlborita by Carl Joseph Papa
  • Ishmael Bernal Award: Bienvenido Ferrer III by Kabilang Dulo

2013

The 15th Cinemanila International Film Festival was held from December 18 to 22, 2013 in Bonifacio Global City in Metro Manila.

International Competition

Digital Lokal
  • Lino Grand Prize: How to Disappear Completely by Raya Martin
  • Best Director: Raya Martin for How to Disappear Completely

Young Cinema
  • Best Short Film: Pantomina sa mga Anyong Ikinubli ng Alon by John Lazam
  • Ishmael Bernal Award: Theodore Lozada for Tunga (Halved)

References
  1. "Filmfest in your neighborhood" Archived September 24, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, by Gerry Plaza, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 2008-10-24
  2. Zulueta, Lito B. (1999-06-27). "Will Cinemanila put us back in the world-cinema map?". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
  3. Reyes, Paolo R.; Cuenca-Dario, Janine (2006-10-28). "Lights, camera, Cinemanila!". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on 2011-09-30. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
  4. Dalangin-Fernandez, Lira (2007-08-15). "A 'fun' experience for Tarantino aboard a 'pedicab'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on 2008-01-21. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
  5. Red, Isah V. (2006-11-06). "Cinemanila 2006 films in competition". Manila Standard. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
  6. Bautista, Jude (2006-11-07). "06 indie masterpieces premiere in Cinemanila". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on 2007-11-09. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
  7. Ladaw, Dennis (2005-10-12). "Cinemanila is finally in Manila!". The Manila Times. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
  8. "Atienza, Aguiluz open Cinemanila festival". Manila Bulletin. 2005-10-14. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
  9. "Cinemanila International Film Festival: 1999". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 2009-02-07.
  10. "Birth of A Butterfly". NETPAC. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  11. "Fetch A Pail of Water". NETPAC. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  12. "Hollywood Hongkong". NETPAC. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  13. "Harmful Insect". NETPAC. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  14. "Divine Intervention". NETPAC. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  15. "The Seventies". NETPAC. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  16. www.screendaily.com, The Band's Visit takes top prize at Cinemanila fest
  17. pia.gov.ph, PGMA gives 13 out of 17 CineManila awards to Filipinos
  18. abs-cbnnews.com, Cinema One Originals movies dominate 10th Cinemanila award rites
  19. bworldonline.com, Arroyo awards winners in 10th Cinemanila festival

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