‘Sinag Maynila 2024’ highlights PH Film Industry Month and Manila’s Tourism Month

AFTER a four-year hiatus, the Sinag Maynila Film Festival returns with seven full-length feature films, seven documentaries, and ten short films created by today’s most exciting Filipino filmmakers.

The comeback is made more significant as the iconic filmfest founded by Solar Entertainment President Wilson Tieng and renowned director Brillante Mendoza also marks the celebration of Manila’s Tourism Month and the Philippine Film Industry Month. All Sinag Maynila 2024 finalist-films will be screened in theaters from September 4-8, 2024.

Sinag Maynila 2024 is the sixth edition of the film festival. In competition are the following official finalists: For the full-length feature films, these are the social drama “The Gospel of the Beast” by Sheron Dayoc starring Janssen Magpusao and Ronnie Lazaro; the family drama “Her Locket” by J.E. Tiglao starring producer-lead actress Rebecca Chuaunsu and Elora Españo; the action picture “Banjo” written, directed and starring Bryan Wong; the OFW-themed romance shot in Canada by Benedict Mique entitled “Maple Leaf Dreams” starring Kira Balinger and LA Santos; the psychological thriller “What You Did” by Joan Lopez Flores starring Tony Labrusca, Mary Joy Apostol, Epy Quizon, Mercedes Cabral and Ana Abad Santos; the drama “Salome” by Gutierrez Mangansakan II with Perry Dizon, Tommy Alejandrino, and Dolly de Leon in the cast; and the thriller “Talahib” (Legend of the Tall Grass) by Alvin Yapan starring Joem Bascon, Gillian Vicencio and Kristoff Garcia.

For the documentary section included are “Ghosts of Kalantiaw” by Chuck Escasa, “Ino” by Ranniel Semana, “Natatanging Palayok” (The Exceptional Pot) by Ein Gil Randall S. Camuñas, “Pag-Ibig Ang Mananaig” (Love Will Prevail) by Jenina Denise A. Domingo, “Panatag” (Tranquil) by Allan Lazaro, “Untitled/ Unfinished” by Matthew Victor Pastor, and “Way of the Balisong” by Paul Factora.

For the short films, the lineup includes “14 Days” by Nars Santos, “Ang Maniniyot ni Papa Jisos” (Father Jisos’ Photographer) by Franky Arrocena, “As the Moth Flies” by Gayle Oblea, “Bisan Abo Wala Bilin” (Even Ashes, Nothing Remains) by Kyd Torato, “Kiyaw” (Hill Myna) by Jericho Jeriel, “ILO” by Serafin Emmanuel P. Catangay, “Mananguete” (The Coconut Sap Collector) by Mery Grace Rama-Mission, “Ina Bulan” by Melver Ritz L. Gomez, “Sa Paglupad Ka Banong” (The Flight of Banog) by Elvert Bañares, and “Suka and Toyo Can Make Adobo (Vinegar and Soy Sauce Can Make Adobo) by Jude Matanguihan.

Of these, ten films—“Way of the Balisong”, “Pag-Ibig ang Mananaig”, “Maple Leaf Dreams”, “What You Did”, “Banjo”, “Salome”, “Talahib”, “Kiyaw”, “Ina Bulan”and “Bisan Abo, Wala Bilin”— are world premieres; one film, “Untitled/Unfinished” is an international premiere, and one film “Her Locket” is a Philippine premiere.
The finalists were chosen from hundreds of entries that were received from Filipino filmmakers from all over the globe. “By the time we closed the submission on July 24, we had received an overwhelming number of entries,” said Sinag Maynila co-founder Brillante Mendoza. “Our screening committee had a difficult time making their choices because all had compelling reasons to be included,” he added.

Mr. Wilson Tieng, the father of Sinag Maynila, is extremely elated. “It just goes to show that there are so many talented Filipino filmmakers and they are raring to show their works and are looking for avenues to present their stories. Sinag Maynila is happy to be able to provide opportunities for them. With the support of our partners and the movie-going audience, we can continue our advocacy for ‘Sine Lokal, Pang-International.”

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(ROHN ROMULO)