MANILA, JULY 24, 2013 – With the theme Cinesthesia: Synergy of the Senses, the 9th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival will showcase 25 films in its three competitions, Short Film, New Breed and Director’s Showcase, from July 26 to August 4, 2013.
Respected names in the mainstream movie and TV industry will be featured in most of the festival films. For her first Cinemalaya appearance, Vilma Santos is the lead star in Jeffrey Jeturian’s Ekstra. Indie film veteran actress, Eugene Domingo will be in Leo Abaya’s Instant Mommy. Gretchen Barrretto and Alessandra de Rossi will also star in the indie films.
This year is also a season of second-generation directors. Among the young directors who aim to continue their family’s legacy is Christopher Ad. Castillo, son of the late Celso Ad. Castillo for The Diplomat Hotel; Mikhail Red, son of Raymond Red, for his film Rekorder; and Paolo O’ Hara, nephew of the late Mario O’ Hara, for his The Houseband’s Wife.
Aside from the independent film, the event will also feature a variety of sections, namely the Ani, Cinemalaya Documentaries, Cinemalaya Premieres, Retrospective: Urian’s Best (The Gawad Urian Best Film 2000-2009), and tributes to Marilou Diaz-Abaya, Celso Ad. Castillo and Eddie Romero.
Cinemalaya is a project of the Cinemalaya Foundation, Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Econolink Investments, Inc. and Film Development Council of the Philippines. It is an all-digital film festival that aims to discover, encourage and honor cinematic works of Filipino filmmakers that boldly articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity.
The festival will run from July 26-August 4, 2013 at the CCP, TriNoma, Greenbelt 3 and Alabang Town Center.
Winners of the competition will be named in the Awards night on August 4 at the CCP.
