After a long wait, local films made by local filmmakers take their rightful place with first ever Cine de Oro Film Festival.
From December 15-18, cineastes will enjoy 12 films from Cagayan de Oro, other Filipino and World filmmakers at the Limketkai Cinemas in Cagayan de Oro City.
Six films will compete in the main short film section showcasing movies from Kagay-anon filmmakers: Mama (Adrian Manapil), Timbang (Tat Soriano), Maskara (Benjinel Jampit), Ako, Tao (Michael Edillor), Baruganan (Angelo Dabbay), and Ang Reyna Nga Wala’y Saput (James Murillo Elaco).
On the other hand, six films will vie in the festival’s open competition: Kalipay (Arnel Rox Aguirang & John Carlou Romanos, Nabunturan), Baynte Noybi (Dysel Rose Sumandac, Nabunturan), Mountain To Cry For (Khurshid Kalabud Jr., General Santos), Ang Pagbalik sa Ugat-Hinungdan (Keisha Halili, Davao), Budots: The Craze (Jay Rosas & Mark Limbaga, Davao) and Abi (Lindon Roy Trangia Songahid, Nabunturan).
The Festival opens December 15 with the screening of the film Markado: The Moon Devourer by multi-awarded Kagay-anon filmmaker and Cine de Oro Festival Director Joe Bacus at Limketkai Cinema.
The film is considered a milestone for Mindanao cinema as it is the first full-length feature film to come out of Cagayan de Oro decades after Lorenzo M. de la Serna’s Sa Imong Lawas ug Dugo.
Bacus notes that with Cine de Oro, he aims to educate Kagay-anons' taste in cinema, stressing the importance of taking our place in Southeast Asian Cinema.
“Even though it is still our first year holding this festival, we will be relentless in our pursuit of making a festival in Cagayan de Oro that will be a platform for aspiring filmmakers to develop their talents. We will give them the opportunity to watch not only the very best of Mindanao cinema, but also Southeast Asian cinema as well,” he said.
Besides the twelve films in competition from Mindanao, there will also be a showcase of award-winning short films from internationally-recognized Filipino filmmakers such as Sheron Dayoc, Remton Zuasola, Keith Deligero, and Bagane Fiola, among others. As a bonus, movie goers will also enjoy watching a showcase of Asian and European short films.
On December 18, the film festival concludes with a screening of Julienne Ilagan's Kauyagan: The Way of Life, considered a milestone for Mindanao cinema as it is the first full-length feature film by a female Mindanaoan.
The festival's jurors for the main competition include award-winning Mindanaoan filmmakers Gutierrez Mangansakan II and Bagane Fiola and artist, activist and sculptor Antonio ‘Jojo’ Hesumaria Sescon.
The jury for the Open Competition includes award-winning Malaysian-born Philippines-based filmmaker Bradley Liew, award-winning Filipino production designer Benjamin Padero, and Thai auteur Phuttiphong Aroonpheng.
Cine de Oro Film Festival is organized by Imoortals and Blackfish Productions with the support of Limketkai Center, Limketkai Mall, Limketkai Cinemas, Limketkai Luxe Hotel, Kanto, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Seriña-Moreno, the Film Development Council of the Philippines, Primavera Residences, and Uptown Condotel with BusinessWeek Mindanao, Mindanao Daily and Metro Cagayan de Oro Times as media partners.
