#CulturePH - Get To Know The Entries From Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival 2024 (Full Length Competition)

As we celebrate the 20th year of Cinemalaya, we are thrilled to share a remarkable lineup of films that embody the theme “Loob, Lalim, Lakas” – Core, Depth, Strength. This year’s festival promises to captivate audiences with stories that delve deep into societal realities, showcasing the strength and creativity of Filipino filmmakers.

From August 2 to 11, select Ayala Malls Cinemas will screen more than 200 titles for an unforgettable cinematic experience. Here are the 10 full-length films competing for the prestigious Balanghay award:

During the 2007 elections, a former sexy star and a land-grabbing tycoon are in a tight race for mayor. Emmy, a strict yet popular teacher in a small town, is assigned to the Board of Election Inspectors for her local precinct. When violence erupts, she runs into the forest with a ballot box containing the last copy of the election results. Armed only with her resourcefulness, courage and wit, she tries to outmaneuver the goons who want the elections to fail. Her loved ones and community are caught in the crossfire as she pays an increasingly steep price for defending the democratic process.

 BALOT - Directed By Kip Oebanda

CAST: Marian Rivera, Will Ashley, Royce Cabrera, Raheel Bhyria, Esnyr, Sassa Gurl, Donna Cariaga, Sue Prado, Joel Saracho, Gardo Versoza, Mae Paner 

PRODUCTION STAFF: DIRECTOR/SCREENPLAY – Kip Oebanda; 

CINEMATOGRAPHY – Tey Clamor; 

PRODUCTION DESIGN – Eero Yves Francisco; 

EDITOR – Chuck Gutierrez; 

ORIGINAL MUSIC SCORE – Emerzon Texon; 

SOUND – Mike Idioma & Narra Wild Sound; 

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS – Kip Oebanda, GMA Films, GMA Drama Unit; 

LINE PRODUCER – Marinette Lusanta; 

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR – Charita Canstinlag; PRODUCTION MANAGER – Bunso Bandiola

ALIPATO AT MUOG - Directed by JL Burgos

The abduction of Jonas Burgos in 2007 was brazen – done at noontime in a crowded mall. As his family launched their search, a car plate brought them face to face with powerful forces. Despite insurmountable barriers, anonymous informants have dropped leads and even provided the last known photo of Jonas in captivity. Edita, the 80-year old mother, and her filmmaker son lead the long and arduous fight for justice. Presented through testimonials of their lawyer, a reporter, a former Justice Secretary and Human Rights Commission Chair, and witnesses who agreed to appear on condition of anonymity, combined with animation and never-before-seen footage of the family’s relentless search, the documentary film weaves the stories together to uncover the truths, however painful, about the brother’s disappearance.

DIRECTOR/CINEMATOGRAPHER/EDITOR – JL Burgos; 

SCREENPLAY – JL Burgos, Bernardine De Belen; 

ORIGINAL MUSIC SCORE – Bong Ramilo; 

SOUND – Jedd Dumaguina; 

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER – Ramona Nieva; 

LINE PRODUCER – Ma. Cecilia Tronqued Burgos; 

CAMERA UNIT – Chantal Eco, Jonard Nabus, Gabriel Pancho, Mark Z. Saludes; 

ANIMATION – Sonny Burgos; 

POSTER DESIGN – Karl Castro; 

PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS – Grae Dela Cruz, Vynce Genica Ong, Jun Resurreccion

AN ERRAND - Directed By Dominic Bekaert, Written By Sarge Lacuesta

Moroy, a driver, is jolted awake in the dead of night by an urgent call from SIR, his middle-aged boss, demanding he fetch his Viagra. Speeding off from Baguio to Manila, Moroy's mind drifts between reality and fantasy, unveiling SIR's secrets and reflecting on his interactions with fellow drivers and Brenda, SIR's office mistress. As the long journey unfolds, Moroy undergoes a profound transformation. Upon his return, Moroy finds himself forever changed.

CAST: Sid Lucero, Art Acuña, Nanding Josef, Elora Españo, Elora Españo, Eric Kelly, Thea Marabut 

DIRECTOR/EDITOR – Dominic Bekaert; 

SCREENPLAY – Angelo R. Lacuesta; 

CINEMATOGRAPHER – Steven Evangelio; 

PRODUCTION DESIGN – Joamar-John Canosa; 

ORIGINAL MUSIC SCORE – Michael Benedicto; 

SOUND – Jedd Dumaguina & Mario Consunji; 

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS – Paloma Urquijo Zobel de Ayala, Beatriz Zobel de Ayala, Aurora Oreta, Tarzeer Pictures Inc., Bruno de Pampelonne, Rose Anne de Pampelonne, Ludovic de Pampelonne, Alexis de Pampelonne; 

PRODUCERS – Clementine Comoy, Dee Nermal, Dominic Bekaert, Sarge Lacuesta; 

COSTUME DESIGN – Carla Villanueva

GULAY LANG, MANONG - Directed By Bc Amparado

Struggling farmer Pilo Sabado faces trouble when his grandson Ricky gets involved in the cannabis trade with his friend Razer. As the local drug war heats up, Ricky is caught by police officer Ariel Lacson. Ariel offers Pilo a deal: help catch Razer, and Ricky goes free. As they dive deeper into the cartel, they discover the cannabis trade is linked to a powerful senator with personal reasons for involvement. This revelation shakes Pilo and Ariel, making them choose between their future and doing the right thing amidst betrayals and shifting alliances.

CAST: Cedrick Juan, Perry Dizon, BJ Tolits Forbres, Ranzel, Dong Abay and Lui Manansala

DIRECTOR/SCREENPLAY – BC Amparado; 

CINEMATOGRAPHER – Emmanuel Liwanag; 

PRODUCTION DESIGN – Juan Pablo Pineda III; 

EDITOR – Marie Estela Paiso; 

ORIGINAL MUSIC SCORE – Willie Apa Jr.; SOUND – Bien Sparks; 

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER – Jien Villena; LINE PRODUCER – Patricia Denize Salic; 

PRODUCTION MANAGERS – Jerome Dulin & Joseph Arcegono

KANTIL - Directed By Joshua Caesar Medroso

Star-crossed lovers Paleng and Eliong bid farewell as their love is threatened by the imminent demolition of Paleng’s coastal village. However, when a fisherman discovers a mysterious alien shell lurking in a trench, the community is confronted with a wave of hope and intrigue, jealousy and fear. As tensions surge like an incoming tide, their tangled lives unravel secrets on how to navigate the turbulent waters ahead, their ultimate survival depends on hidden truths that need to be retrieved from the depths of the trench.

CAST: Edmund Telmo, Andre Miguel, Sue Prado, Raul Arellano, Ram Botero, Perry Dizon, Fe Gingging Hyde, Tads Obach, Alyssa Makiling, Ryle Equia 

DIRECTOR/SCREENPLAY – Joshua Caesar Medroso; 

CINEMATOGRAPHY – Arnel Barbarona; PRODUCTION DESIGN – Perry Dizon; 

EDITOR – Edmund M. Telmo; 

ORIGINAL MUSIC SCORE – Allan Balberona; 

SOUND – Allan Balberona, Jen Balberona; 

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS – Teng Mangansakan II, Jake Muñoz Consing, Dean Marcial, Galileo Mondol, Braden Friedman; 

LINE PRODUCER – Teng Mangansakan II

KONO BASHO - Directed By Jaime Pacena II

Ella, a 28-year-old Filipina anthropologist, travels to Rikuzentakata City for her estranged father Emman's funeral, where she navigates the cultural and emotional complexities of his second family, including her Japanese half-sister, Reina. As they confront their intertwined histories, Ella and Reina find solace and connection, each reevaluating their perceptions of their father. Their journey of self-discovery intersects with Rikuzentakata's post-2011 earthquake and tsunami recovery. Discovering their father's photographs propels them on a path of rediscovery, exploring their relationships and individual identities. This poignant narrative explores themes of family, loss, identity, and renewal, reflecting deeply on the Filipino diaspora amid a backdrop of historical trauma.

CAST: Gabby Padilla, Arisa Nakano PRODUCTION STAFF: DIRECTOR/SCREENPLAY – Jaime Pacena II; 

CINEMATOGRAPHY – Dan Villegas; 

PRODUCTION DESIGN – Eero Yves Francisco; EDITOR – Marya Ignacio; 

ORIGINAL MUSIC SCORE – Len Calvo; 

SOUND – Allen Roy Santos; 

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS – John Bryan Diamante, Jim Baltazar, Dan Villegas, Antoinette Jadaone, Reign Anne De Guzman; 

LINE PRODUCER – Catsi Catalan; 

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER – Angel Thomas, Tomoyuki Nakamura; 

STYLIST – Zara Loayon

THE HEARING - Directed By Lawrence Fajardo, Written By Honee Alipio

Lucas, a deaf boy from a small fishing village, is sexually abused by Fr. Mejor, an influential priest. After his parents Madonna and Dante discover the truth, they decide to file a court case against the priest despite the obstacles in their way. In their pursuit of justice, they cross paths with sign language interpreter Maya, who has also witnessed powerful people manipulate the results of cases. In a society where few choose to listen, how can they win against forces that silence those who cannot speak and break the souls of those who can?

CAST: Mylene Dizon, Nor Domingo, Ina Feleo, Ruby Ruiz, Enzo Osorio, Angie Castrence, Marvin Yap, Rom Factolerin, Rome Mallari, Ruslan Jacob Asumbrado 

PRODUCTION STAFF: DIRECTOR – Lawrence Fajardo; 

SCREENPLAY – Honee Alipio, Lawrence Fajardo; 

CINEMATOGRAPHY – Roberto Yñiguez; 

PRODUCTION DESIGN – Ian Traifalgar, Hai Balbuena; 

EDITOR – Lawrence Fajardo, Ysabelle Denoga; 

ORIGINAL MUSIC SCORE – Peter Joseph Legaste; 

SOUND – Jannina Mikaela Minglanilla; 

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS – Sheila Yusay, Lawrence Fajardo, Brillante Mendoza; PRODUCER – Krisma Maclang Fajardo; 

ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS – Endi Balbuena, Meg Bryan Bermudez, Mary Antonette Perez, Neil Howard Bantoc

THE WEDDING DANCE- Directed By Julius Lumiqued

Following the Japanese invasion in the 1940s, Awiyao comes home to his wife Lumnay to ask her to attend the wedding dance, an invitation that stirs memories of joy, pain, and emptiness. It is an invitation to celebrate his new wedding dance.

CAST: Mai Fanglayan, Arvin Balageo 

PRODUCTION STAFF: DIRECTOR/SCREENPLAY – Julius Lumiqued; 

CINEMATOGRAPHY – Richard Cawed; 

PRODUCTION DESIGN – Rochelle Bakisan, Winston Awing; 

EDITOR – May-i Guia Padilla; 

ORIGINAL MUSIC SCORE – Kurt Alalag; 

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER – Mai Fanglayan; 

LINE PRODUCER – Giul Sanchez; 

PRODUCERS – Julius Lumiqued, Mira Ticlao, May-i Guia Padilla, Daniel Daguio

TUMANDOK - Directed By Richard Jeroui Salvadico & Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay

Despite contentions from historians, legend has it that in ancient times, an Ati chieftain traded their land to Bornean datus for a golden necklace and a wide-brimmed hat. The mountains were left to the Atis, while the plains and rivers went to the Malays. Today, even the mountains are under threat, sometimes violently taken from the Atis. Featuring an all-Ati non-professional acting ensemble, speaking in their own language, Inati, the film reveals the relentless struggle of these indigenous people to reclaim their land. As one Ati once said, “Tell us where the end of the earth is, and we will go there to live in peace, untouched.”

CAST: Jenaica Sangher, Felipe Ganancial 

PRODUCTION STAFF: DIRECTOR – Richard Jeroui Salvadico, Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay; 

SCREENPLAY – Arden Rod Condez, Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay; 

CINEMATOGRAPHY/EDITOR – Pabelle Manikan; 

PRODUCTION DESIGN – Lynne Belle Salvadico; 

ORIGINAL MUSIC SCORE – TBA; SOUND – TBA; 

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS – Sheron Dayoc, Sonny Calvento, Arden Rod Condez, Bridget Ng-Ting; 

LINE PRODUCER – Jo Andrew Torlao; 

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR – Mikko Baldoza; 

PRODUCTION MANAGER – Krizzia Millanes

LOVE CHILD - Directed By Jonathan Jurilla

College sweethearts Ayla and Paolo decide to drop out of school to start a family after a whirlwind romance leads to an unplanned pregnancy. Four years later, they are devastated to learn that their son, Kali, is diagnosed with autism. As they navigate the complexities of raising a child with special needs, they confront an increasingly unsupportive environment. Their journey challenges their relationship and the dream of a complete, harmonious family, forcing them to find strength and resilience in the face of adversity.

CAST: RK Bagatsing, Jane Oineza, John Tyrron Ramos 

PRODUCTION STAFF: DIRECTOR/STORY – Jonathan Jurilla; 

SCREENPLAY – Arden Rod Condez, Arianna Martinez (with Angel Benjamin); 

CINEMATOGRAPHY – Rommel Sales; 

PRODUCTION DESIGN – Kurt Soberano; 

EDITOR – John Paul Ponce; 

ORIGINAL MUSIC SCORE – Andrew Florentino; 

SOUND – Lamberto Casas Jr.; 

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS – Lily Y. Monteverde, Roselle Y. Monteverde, Keith Monteverde; 

CO-PRODUCERS – Sheron Dayoc, Sonny Calvento; 

PRODUCER – Arden Rod Condez; 

INE PRODUCER – Jo Andrew Torlao; 

PRODUCTION MANAGER – Angel Benjamin; 

LOCATION MANAGER – Jan Phillyn Jagorin; ASSISTANT DIRECTOR – Reeden Fajardo

For MORE UPDATES, 

You can follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Threads, Tiktok  & Facebook!

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel.

LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, SHARE & COMMENT. 

Thank you!

DISCLAIMER: All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The pictures or videos posted here doesn't necessarily mean that it's the owner's property. The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.