ANi (THE HARVEST)

When his grandfather falls ill, an orphaned boy and his malfunctioning robot embark on a quest to look for magical grains that he believes can save the old man’s life.

SYNOPSIS: Set in the year 2050 at the State of Bicol, Philippines, Mithi, an orphaned boy, moves to a farm to live with his estranged grandfather, Mauricio. When the old man falls ill, and as the crops in their farm seem to fall ill with him, the boy embarks on a quest with his malfunctioning robot to search for magical grains that he believes can save the man’s life. ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS: KIM ZUÑIGA has always been a storyteller. Her 2014 student short film “Bimyana,” a coming-of-age tale of a young Ayta girl, has been screened at the 2014 Metro Manila Film Festival New Wave, and at the 2015 Manhattan International Festival in New York City where it won the third Best Film. SANDRO DEL ROSARIO’s love for filmmaking started at a young age. A big fan of films like Blade Runner and Jurassic Park, he wants to champion the presence of more genre films, especially science fiction, in the Philippine Cinema. In 2016, his science fiction short, “Dystopium,” was part of the 2017 Viddsee Juree Philippines.

It is their first time to take part in Cinemalaya through their first full length film “ANi.” In 2018, ANi won the Best Film Pitch during the DGPI – FDCP Film Pitch competition, and is one of the top projects in the Southeast Asian Film Financing (SAFF) Forum in Singapore.

MAJOR CREDITS: CAST: Zyren dela Cruz, Ricky Davao, Miguel Valdes, Marc Felix, Anna Luna, JM Canlas, Rolando Inocencio, Rap Robles, Victor Medina, Mio Maranan, Chryssta Cordoves, Jermaine Choa Peck PRODUCTION STAFF: DIRECTOR/EDITORS – Kim Zuñiga, Sandro Del Rosario; SCREENPLAY – Toni Zuñiga, Kim Zuñiga, Sandro Del Rosario; DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY – Alex Uy; ORIGINAL MUSIC SCORE - Vince Lim; SOUND DESIGN – Andrew Millalos; PRODUCTION DESIGN – Verna Ignacio, Darwin Ignacio, Raedag Villamin; ANIMATION – Cholo Katipunan; EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS – Carlo Katigbak, Olivia Lamasan, Toni Zuñiga

(120 MINUTES | Science Fiction, Coming-of-Age)

Rating: PG

DIRECTED BY KIM ZUÑIGA & SANDRO DEL ROSARIO

BELLE DOULEUR (BEAUTIFUL PAIN)

To find happiness, a woman breaks free from the confines that society puts on women.

SYNOPSIS: Liz, a 45-year-old, single clinical psychologist, finds herself alone and resigned to a solitary life after her parents who she spent her adult life looking after passed away. Through her friends’ advice, Liz begins downsizing her home and meets Josh, a young antique dealer who has has been living on his own for years after losing his father and grandfather, and without much memory of his mother. With their loneliness drawing them together, Liz and Josh create a special bond. ABOUT THE FILMMAKER: One of the Ten Outstanding Young Scientists of the Philippines, JOJI VILLANUEVA ALONSO pursued degrees in political science and law and became a sough-after lawyer serving huge corporate accounts. She hosted Legal Forum and The Police Hour in 1992 and 1993, respectively. She eventually ventured into movie production under Quantum Films, producing 32 feature films including the two-time Fipresci awardee and NETPAC awardee “The Bet Collector” and the Philippine entry to the Oscars, “The Woman in the Septic Tank.” She is currently part of the production of “Whether the Weather is Fine,” a product of La Fabrique Cannes, the Torino Film Lab and the L’atelier Cinefoundation Cannes. Her first short film, “Last Order,” took the plum prize at the Pyongyang International Film Festival in North Korea. She will make her debut as full-length director via “Belle Douleur” at the Cinemalaya 2019. She heads Quantum Post, a post-production house that caters to both independent filmmakers and studios since 2013.

MAJOR CREDITS: CAST: Kit Thompson, Mylene Dizon, Marlon Rivera, Jenny Jamora, Hannah Ledesma PRODUCTION STAFF: DIRECTOR – Joji V. Alonso; SCREENPLAY – Therese Cayaba; EDITOR – Marya Ignacio; DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY – Mycko David; MUSIC – ; ORIGINAL MUSIC SCORE – Len Calvo; SOUND DESIGN – Kat Salinas, Daryl Libongco, Mikko Quizon; PRODUCTION DESIGN – Angel Diesta; EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS – Josabeth V. Alonso, Ricardo S. Lee, Carlo L. Katigbak, Cory V. Vidanes, Roldeo T. Endrinal (1 HOUR, 37 MINUTES | Romance)

Rating: R-13

DIRECTED BY JOJI V. ALONZO

CHILDREN OF THE RIVER

Phone calls shatter the blissful, simple life of four childhood friends.

SYNOPSIS: Sworn to always look out for each other, Elias and his three best friends start each day with phone calls before heading out to a new adventure. But when Ted, an outsider, takes a vacation in their quaint village, it triggers a change within Elias. Distraught and confused, he seeks comfort among his friends until he gradually accepts the truth about his identity. All seems good and well until that dreaded day — and the news that came with it. ABOUT THE FILMMAKER: Born in Santiago, Isabela, MARICEL CABRERA-CARIAGA finished BS Computer Engineering (2005), MS Information Technology (Thesis Program, 2012), MA Education (Major in Educational Management, 2014), BS Secondary Education (Major in Mathematics, 2014) at the University of La Salette, Santiago City, Isabela. Her film career started when she studied Advance Motion Picture Production at Asia Pacific Film Institute in 2014-2015. She also attended the 2nd Brillante Mendoza Film Workshop in 2015 and came up with a short film “Lapis.” She also attended several workshops including the Ricky Lee Scriptwriting Workshop and Directing Actors under film director Emmanuel dela Cruz.

MAJOR CREDITS: CAST: Noel Comia Jr., Ricky Oriarte, Dave Justine Francis, Junyka Santarin, JR Custodio, Juancho Triviño, Rich Asuncion, Jay Manalo, Kareen Oriarte, Jennifer Acosta, Ma. Luisa Herrera PRODUCTION STAFF: DIRECTOR/ SCREENPLAY – Maricel Cariaga; DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY – Hector Calma; EDITOR – Maricel Cariaga, Jerome Dulin, Zig Dulay; MUSIC – Lorenzo Neilsen; SOUND DESIGN – Wildsound Studios; PRODUCTION DESIGN – Joseph Arcegono; PRODUCTION MANAGER – Precious Cabacungan; ART DIRECTOR – Fernando Lagmay; EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS – Albert Almendralejo, Annette Gozon Valdes, Joey Abacan

Rating: PG

DIRECTED BY MARICEL CABRERA-CARIAGA

EDWARD

A public hospital serves as a witness to a young boy’s rite of passage when he is stuck to take care of his ailing father.

SYNOPSIS: Edward is stuck in a public hospital where he cares for his ailing father. Estranged from his father Mario and his half- brother Renato, Edward makes the hospital ward his own playground, unmindful of the hopelessness that surrounds him. His careless attitude changes when he meets and becomes enamored with Agnes, a young patient in the hospital. Finding refuge and comfort in each other, Edward and Agnes bond and connect. ABOUT THE FILMMAKER: THOP NAZARENO earned his degree in Multimedia Arts at the College of St. Benilde – School of Design and Arts. His first feature is the award-winning Cinemalaya film “Kiko Boksingero,” which has won Best First Feature at the Young Critics Circle Awards 2018, Audience Choice Award at Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2018, and was nominated for Best Director at the FAMAS Awards 2018. He is a film editor. His work “123” won Best Editing at the Northern Virginia International Film and Music Festival 2018. Thop has also received nominations from Asean International Film Festival, FAMAS Awards, Gawad Urian and PMPC Star Awards for Directing, Editing and Producing.

MAJOR CREDITS: CAST: Louise Abuel, Ella Cruz, Dido Dela Paz, Elijah Canlas, Manuel Chua PRODUCTION STAFF: DIRECTOR/ EDITOR – Thop Nazareno; WRITER – John Paul Bedia, Thop Nazareno; STORY – Denise O' Hara, Sarah Pagcaliwagan Brakensiek, Thop Nazareno; DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY – Kara Moreno; MUSIC – Pepe Manikan; SOUND DESIGN – Imman Verona; PRODUCTION DESIGN – Alvin Francisco; EXECUTIVE PRODUCER – Joyce Bernal; PRODUCERS – Sarah Pagcaliwagan-Brakensiek, Ferdinand Lapuz

Rating: R-13

DIRECTED BY THOP NAZAREN0

FUCCBOIS

Two friends desperately want to become famous actors but it seems the Universe has a different plan for their lives.

SYNOPSIS: Best buddies Ace and Miko are seasoned beauty pageant contenders. They live in a world where showing up in their bikini briefs is the easiest way to achieve fortune and celebrity status. But an ex-lover is threatening to expose them and shock their thousands of their followers in social media. ABOUT THE FILMMAKER: After making his first mainstream film Last Fool Show, EDUARDO ROY JR returns with his fouth Cinemalaya film, Fuccbois. He is known for his film Pamilya Ordinaryo, which won Best Film, Best Director, NETPAC Award, Best Actress and Best Editor at the 2017 Cinemalaya. His other Cinemalaya films were Quick Change (2013) and Bahay Bata (2011). All of Roy’s films are based from research and interviews mostly with individuals that he encounters. He is always engaging with the ordinary and mundane, and the filmmaker in him is always hungry for stories that are unfolding. He follows these stories with a fervent hope that the underdog, the marginalized will emerge triumphant in some way.

MAJOR CREDITS: CAST: Royce Cabrera, Kokoy de Santos, Ricky Davao PRODUCTION STAFF: DIRECTOR/ SCREENPLAY – Eduardo Roy Jr . ; DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY – Albert Banzon; EDITOR – Carlo Francisco Manatad; MUSIC – Andrew Florentino; SOUND DESIGN – Immanuel Verona; PRODUCTION DESIGN – Carmela Danao; EXECUTIVE PRODUCER – RS Francisco, Sam Versoza, Almond Derla, Eduardo Roy, Jr.

Rating: R-16

DIRECTED BY EDUARDO ROY JR.

ISKA

A loving but impoverished grandmother of an autistic child tragicomically loses everything and turns into someone society reckons her to be.

SYNOPSIS: Iska, a grandmother who wants to take her 10-year-old autistic grandson to a special needs orphanage, is deemed an unfit guardian by the media and the government. Despite dealing with life’s blows one after the other, she never loses her tenacity to survive. ABOUT THE FILMMAKER: THEODORE CAPISTRANO BOBOROL is a Filipino film and television director who graduated cum laude from U.P. Diliman with a bachelors degree in broadcast communication in 2000. He also studied film directing under the tutelage of the late director Marilou Diaz-Abaya in 2007. Since then, he has directed various drama series for ABS-CBN including Angelito: Batang Ama (2011); the remake of Annaliza (2013); and CMMA Best Drama Series, Be My Lady (2016). Boborol has won Best Directing (Fiction) in 2018’s Asian Academy Creative Awards for his latest drama, Araw Gabi. He made his film directorial debut with Star Cinema’s Just the Way You Are (2015). His second feature film, Vince and Kath and James, won the Audience Choice Award in the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival. His third film, Finally Found Someone, was one of the highest-grossing films in 2017. Iska is Boborol’s fourth film as a director, and also his first non-romantic comedy film.

MAJOR CREDITS: CAST: Soliman Cruz, Ruby Ruiz, Ricky Rivero, Jonic Magno, Jomari Angeles, RK Bagatsing, Pryle Gura,Angie Castrence, Ana Abad Santos, Jade Lopez, Elora Españo, Cherry Malvar, Sunshine Teodoro, Divine Acuna, Beauty Gonzales PRODUCTION STAFF: DIRECTOR – Theodore Boborol; SCREENPLAY – Mary Rose Colindres; DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY – Gary Gardoce; EDITOR – Alexces Megan Abarquez; ORIGINAL MUSIC SCORE – Francis Concio; SOUND DESIGN – Immanuel Verona; PRODUCTION DESIGN – Donald Camon; EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS – RJ Agustin, Real Florido, Jerry Palaganas, Theodore Boborol

(100 MINUTES, 45 SECONDS | Drama)

Rating: R-13

DIRECTED BY THEODORE BOBOROL

JOHN DENVER TRENDING

A teenage boy’s life is suddenly upended when a video of him brutally attacking a classmate goes viral.

SYNOPSIS: All John Denver Cabungcal, a Grade 8 student, wants is to do well in school and bring home good grades to his family. But one day, a classmate accuses him of stealing an iPad. After his classmate’s persistent allegation, John Denver snaps and assaults his accuser. Unluckily for him, someone records the incident and posts the video on social media. In just five days, this ordinary boy’s life is suddenly overturned. ABOUT THE FILMMAKER: ARDEN ROD CONDEZ hails from Pandan, Antique, Philippines. He has been a writer of ABS-CBN Corporation for almost 15 years. He is a brroadcast communication graduate f rom the University of the Philippines-Visayas. He also took a second major in literature, specializing on Western Visayas literature. “John Denver Trending” is Condez’s directorial debut. The script won 2nd place in the Screenplay Category at the 68th Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature. The project was proclaimed Best Project at the 2018 Hanoi International Film Festival Project Market in Vietnam., and has been selected for the 2018 Southeast Asian Film Financing Project Market in Singapore. The film was also one of the two Filipino narrative features selected at the 1st Cut Post-Production Lab in the Philippines, an editing mentorship headed by Matthieu Darras, the former artistic director of the Torino Film Lab.

MAJOR CREDITS: CAST: Jansen Magpusao, Meryll Soriano, Glenn Mas, Sammy Rubido Vince Philip Alegre, Jofranz Ambubuyog, Christian Alarcon, Zandro Leo Canlog, Andy Yuarata, Ricky Perez, Renato Sagot, Enrique Sanchez, Bert Briones, Elmer Yuarata, Eldin Labris, Sunshine Teodoro, Luz Venus, Estela Patino, Joerlyn Samulde, Akia Buenaflor, Shan Estoya, Jinalyn Tandoy PRODUCTION STAFF: DIRECTOR/ SCREENPLAY – Arden Rod Condez; DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY – Rommel Sales; EDITOR – Benjo Ferrer III; ORIGINAL MUSIC SCORE – Len Calvo; SOUND DESIGN – Mikko Quizon, Kat Salinas; PRODUCTION DESIGN – Harley Alcasid

(98 MINUTES | Drama)

Rating: PG

DIRECTED BY ARDEN ROD CONDEZ

MALAMAYA (THE COLOR OF ASH)

A pessimistic, uninspired middle-aged artist finds spark with a millennial amateur photographer who leads her on a road of creative and sexual awakening.

SYNOPSIS: Nora Simeon, a 50-year-old, single visual artist, feels passe. As she recaptures her prime, she finds spark with Migs, an aspiring photographer who helps reignite her forgotten passions and elicits bursts of inspiration. As she embarks on a May-December love affair, Nora fails to notice how Migs invades her space and senses and, eventually, her art and body. ABOUT THE FILMMAKER: LEI CHAVEZ has written award-winning and landmark TV narratives including “Ang Dalawang Mrs Real,” “The Rich Man’s Daughter,” and “My Faithful Husband” for GMA Network Inc. She also helmed TV series such as “Taddy Taddy po!” and “Outlife” for Viva and D5. She attended the Cinemalaya Institute’s screenwriting class in 2016. She is currently working on publishing a collection of flash fictions. DANICA STA. LUCIA is an advertising major by education but a video editor and producer by profession. She edited TVCs and TV shows for GMA Network, and produced digital series for D5 and corporate videos for Globe.

Leilani and Danica make their directing debut with “Malamaya (The Color of Ash),” produced through Cine Likha Productions, Spears Films and ALV. Cine Likha aims to produce stories of women, written and directed by women to empower women.

MAJOR CREDITS: CAST: Sunshine Cruz, Enzo Pineda, Raymond Bagatsing, Bernadette Allyson, PRODUCTION STAFF: DIRECTORS – Danica Sta. Lucia, Leilani Chavez; SCREENPLAY – Leilani Chavez, Liberty Trinidad; DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY – Ian Marasigan; EDITOR – Estela Paiso (Contagious); MUSIC/SOUND DESIGN – Media East Productions; PRODUCTION DESIGN – Kim Perez; ART DIRECTION – Ryan Kabigting; PRODUCTION MANAGER/LINE PRODUCER – Ana Zamora; CREATIVE CONSULTANTS –Paul Sta. Ana, Keith Deligero; ASSOCIATE PRODUCER – Catherine Valles

Rating: R-13

DIRECTED BY DANICA STA. LUCIA & LEILANI CHAVEZ

PANDANGGO SA HUKAY

A small-town midwife’s preparation for a job interview is disrupted by series of unfortunate turn of events.

SYNOPSIS: Elena, a midwife and breadwinner, aims for better future for her family. On the eve of her application process and interview for a job in Saudi Arabia, Elena finds herself in an unfamiliar territory and dances her way out - the pandanggo way. Pandanggo sa Hukay is about a woman’s journey in balancing light and shadows in her life. ABOUT THE FILMMAKER: SHERYL ROSE M. ANDES is a development worker, filmmaker, and educator. She obtained her BS Community Development and MA Media Studies (Film) degrees from UP Diliman. She has a decade experience working in NGO as community organizer in Tondo and project evaluator/consultant for catholic European funding agencies. At present, she teaches documentary and digital cinema production courses for college students. Pandanggo sa Hukay is her first feature film.

MAJOR CREDITS: CAST: Iza Calzado, Charlie Dizon, Ybes Bagadiong, Diva Montelaba, Star Orjaliza, Acey Aguilar, Mercedes Cabral, Sarah Pagcaliwagan – Brakensiek PRODUCTION STAFF: DIRECTOR – Sheryl Rose M. Andes; SCREENPLAY – Andrian Legaspi; DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY – Albert Banzon, Jippy Pascua; EDITOR – Apol Sapsa-Dating; MUSIC – Len Calvo; SOUND DESIGN – Jedd Dumaguina, Bryan Dumaguina; PRODUCTION DESIGN – Marielle Hizon; PRODUCTION MANAGER – Ljay De Guzman, Bernadette Anne Manlongat, Lloyd Reyes; EXECUTIVE PRODUCER – Albert Langitan, Coleen Cho, Rean Corales

Rating: R-13

DIRECTED BY SHERYL ROSE M. ANDES

TABON

A man's belief in reality is tested when suspects are accused of a crime they say they did not commit.

SYNOPSIS: The deaths of Amang Zaldy propels his only son Ian to journey back to his hometown with his wife Erika and step daughter Joy and discover the mystery that lurks behind his father's murder. With the help of the senior inspector, Ian is introduced to three suspects that claim different versions of truths. Each vantage point leads to various revelations solving questions and uncertainties about his childhood. ABOUT THE FILMMAKER: ALEXANDER XIAN CRUZ LIM UY is a Fil-Am-Chinese actor best known for his starring roles for films in Star Cinema, Viva Films, and various TV series in ABS-CBN. In 2017, Lim made his directorial debut in his own music video for Star Records, “Getting to Know Each Other.” A year later, he directed “A Love Story,” starring Mara and Isabel Lopez, a short film about a dysfunctional mother-daughter relationship, which premiered in the Pelicula-Pelikula Spanish Film Festival. “Tabon” is his first full-length feature film as a director in Cinemalaya.

MAJOR CREDITS: CAST: Christopher Roxas, Ynna Asistio, Menggie Cobarrubias, Dexter Doria, Leon Miguel, Benjie Felipe, Lao Rodriguez, Richard Manabat, Bapbap Reyes PRODUCTION STAFF: DIRECTOR – Xian Lim; SCREENPLAY – Xian Lim, Eseng Cruz; DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY – Jethro Jamon, Justin Jaro; EDITOR – Nelson Villamayor; MUSIC – Emerzon Texon, Jem Florendo; SOUND DESIGN – Promovi; PRODUCTION DESIGN – Alvin Francisco; EXECUTIVE PRODUCER – Xian Lim

(90 MINUTES | Mystery, Crime)

Rating: PG

DIRECTED BY XIAN LIM

DISCONNECTION NOTICE

Away from home, a young man shuffles between the responsibilities of being the eldest sibling in their apartment and reconnecting with his youngest brother who now lives with him.

SYNOPSIS: Paul, who struggles as a new member of the labor force, comes home to their rented space fuming because of the household mess that Carl, his youngest brother who just set foot in Manila to study, has left unattended. Paul berates him in annoyance, frustrated that he has to shuffle between working and being the eldest sibling who looks after their youngest and the space that they occupy. Unbeknownst to him, Carl is also struggling to adjust to the urban life away from home and their family who stays in the province. Before they know it, the distance between them becomes wider; the silence gets deafening, and the isolation gets glaring. Caught in a space that does not speak of home, Paul decides to recreate their space and change his faulty ways of dealing with his youngest brother. ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS: GLENN FORNESTE AVERIA is a graduate of MAPUA University School of Media Studies. He has a bachelor degree in fine arts in digital cinema. Disconnection Notice is his thesis film.

MAJOR CREDITS: CAST: Jude Matthew Servilla, John Vincent Servilla, Aireen Soriano, (voice), Marynor Madamisila (voice) PRODUCTION STAFF: DIRECTOR/SCREENPLAY – Glenn Averia; EDITOR – Glenn Averia; ART DIRECTION – Lloyd Reyes; SOUND DESIGN – Jason Villegas; PRODUCTION DESIGN – Lloyd Reyes, Hannah Grace Maur; PRODUCTION MANAGER – Vinnie Veronica Valenzuela; EXECUTIVE PRODUCER – German P. Averia Jr., Josefa F. Averia, Maria Jaselle F. Averia

(18 MINUTES, 43 SECONDS | Family Drama, Comedy)

Rating: PG

DIRECTED BY GLENN LOWELL FORNESTE AVERIA

GATILYO (TRIGGER)

The lone survivor of an ambush is being haunted by the war he survived.

SYNOPSIS: Rodel was the lone survivor of a failed operation by a group of soldiers led by the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Maguindanao. The soldiers were ambushed by the rebels, leaving only Rodel who hid behind the big trees surrounding the area of the ambush to survive. Although a survivor, Rodel faces the scar and trauma that the incident had left him. ABOUT THE FILMMAKER: HAROLD LANCE PIALDA is a film graduate from Mapua University. A filmmaker who dreams to create films with societal impact, he started working as a camera operator for various films like The Lookout, Mamang, and Anatomiya ng Pag-Ibig. Dreaming big, the filmmaker aims to be a part of different movies in the near future.

MAJOR CREDITS: CAST: Rocky Salumbides, Liya Sarmiento, Bon Andrew Lentejas, Ruby “Ube Lola” Daleon PRODUCTION STAFF: DIRECTOR – Harold Lance Pialda; SCREENPLAY – Miguel Ramos, Patricia Salic, Eugene Torres, Harold Lance Pialda; EDITOR – Miguel Ramos; DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY – Harold Lance Pialda; MUSIC – Runt Collective; PRODUCTION DESIGN – Juan Pablo Pineda III; CASTING DIRECTOR – Kyla Domingo; CREATIVE CONSULTANTS – Sheryl Rose Andes, Cenon Obispo Palomares; EXECUTIVE PRODUCER – Homer Pialda; PRODUCER – Patricia Salic (18 MINUTES, 54 SECONDS | Drama, Action)

Rating: PG

DIRECTED BY HAROLD LANCE PIALDA

HEIST SCHOOL

A ragtag group of students try to steal from the faculty room as they save both their grades and friendship.

SYNOPSIS: On the brink of failing high school, wayward best friends Omar and Joedel devise a risky plan to keep their graduation plans alive. With everything at stake, the odd duo takes their final test of resiliency, street smarts, and most of all, friendship.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER: JULIUS RENOMERON JR is a student filmmaker who is passionate with the intersections of film, design, and technology.

MAJOR CREDITS: CAST: PRODUCTION STAFF: DIRECTOR – Julius Renomeron Jr.; SCREENPLAY – John Paolo Barrameda, Julius Renomeron Jr., Johmar Damiles; EDITOR – John Paolo Barrameda, Julius Renomeron Jr.; DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY – Johmar Damiles; PRODUCTION DESIGN – Ezren Caneda; SOUND RECORDIST – John Paolo Barrameda; ASSISTANT DIRECTORS – Alvin Jamora, Keanu Managuas; PRODUCTION MANAGER – Klaire Dulay; EXECUTIVE PRODUCER – Last Minute Films

Rating: PG

DIRECTED BY JULIUS RENOMERON JR

SA GABING TANGING LIWANAG AY PANINIWALA (BELIEF AS THE LIGHT IN DARKNESS)

A town captain and his son investigate the disappearance of the townsmen in the woods and came across a mysterious answer.

SYNOPSIS: Soliman, a town captain, leads a search team to look for the missing people and investigate who and where they are taken. As days pass by, Soliman’s team would come across bodies with seemingly no souls. When the search failed and Soliman made his way home, his son Dylan was aware that something was left behind. One dark evening, Dylan knew Soliman had made it home, but it wasn’t really his father.

ABOUT THE FILMMALER” On September 21, 1996, a peculiar child was born with primary complex and an urge to never remain at one point. Despite growing up as if the world ran out of air to give, this child never remained still and never saw the world stop. Until one day, he met the Cinemas. Inside where the temperature was different and the surrounding was meant to drown you in darkness, the whole world stopped for three hours as he slowly swims into a new, unidentified, and unfamiliar world. Today he lives in Quezon City, Philippines and has learned to create worlds, bend time, and create fictions to share (and even to keep to his own), within the countless corners of Cinema. Within arm’s reach of the current generation and the next generation of Filipino film makers, FRANCIS GUILLERMO aims to become a prominent film maker of his own generation.

MAJOR CREDITS: CAST: Soliman Cruz, Dylan Ray Talon, Sheryll Ceasico, Stefanoni Nunag PRODUCTION STAFF: DIRECTOR/ SCREENPLAY – Francis Guillermo; EDITORS – Zaire Andrade, Francis Guillermo; DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY – Rommel Galapia Ruiz; PRODUCTION DESIGN – Christian Ron Alos; SOUND DESIGN – Francis Guillermo; SOUND – Krysver Gomez, CJ Miranda; PRODUCTION MANAGER – Arianna Napay; EXECUTIVE PRODUCER – Dylan Ray Talon

(15 MINUTES, 2 SECONDS | Horror Fantasy)

Rating: PG

DIRECTED BY FRANCIS GUILLERMO

‘WAG MO ‘KONG KAUSAPIN (PLEASE STOP TALKING)

An elderly man tries to repair his relationship with his estranged son, but a mysterious black figure gets in the way.

SYNOPSIS: This animated film centers on Sixto and his son Alex, who comes home after years away. As Sixto tries to repair their relationship, an antagonizing black figure starts to invade his vision. ABOUT THE FILMMAKER: JOSEF GACUTAN is a filmmaker currently focusing on the animation and documentary genres. Her first animated short, ‘Wag Mo ‘Kong Kausapin (Please Stop Talking) was part of the 29th Singapore International Film Festival. She also recently won the Zonta Leipzig-Elster Talent Development Prize during Dok Leipzig’s Dok Co-Pro Market for the documentary-in-progress, Miss Universe in Jail.She works as a writer, producer, and production manager on most days, but really just dreams of making a full-length animated film.

MAJOR CREDITS: CAST: Rener Concepcion, Junjun Quintana, Karen Romualdez, Vincent Pajara PRODUCTION STAFF: DIRECTOR/ SCREENPLAY – Josef Gacutan; ASST. DIRECTORS - Denjamyr Alino, Kaye Banaag; EDITOR – Steven Paul Evangelio; DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY – Mayee Foz Baquiran; PRODUCTION DESIGN – Sonia Regalario; SOUND DESIGN – Glenn Barit, Daryl Libongco; MUSIC – Glenn Barit; ANIMATION – Christine Joy Silva; PRODUCTION MANAGER – Nonilon Abao; EXECUTIVE PRODUCER – Oktopus Productions, Alex Gacutan, Ellen Gacutan

(13 MINUTES, 33 SECONDS | Animation)

Rating: G

DIRECTED BY JOSEF GACUTAN

HELE NG MAHARLIKA (LULLABY OF THE FREE)

In the midst of an ongoing siege, a reluctant child combatant finds a safe place to pray where he meets a newly orphaned, infidel boy who seeks refuge in the unknown.

SYNOPSIS: The city is in a state of siege. Masumah, a neophyte child combatant, tries to Outlast the day while still fulfilling one of the practices of his faith, salat al-‘isha - a prayer done before going to sleep. He finds a bombed house where he meets a newly orphaned, infidel boy who escapes from reality by reminiscing his mom’s lullaby. The two spends some time together, staring at a seemingly spectacular display of fireworks in the night sky. ABOUT THE FILMMAKER: NORVIN DE LOS SANTOS is a poet, music video director, filmmaker, and a volunteer for different NGOs that advocate peace and children’s rights. His first short film, Papang, won Best Film at San Juan Film Camp in La Union and a finalist in the 2016 Cinema One Originals.

MAJOR CREDITS: CAST: Omar Sharief Udin, Bon Andrew Lentejas PRODUCTION STAFF: DIRECTOR/ SCREENPLAY – Norvin De Los Santos; EDITOR – Alren Desoyo, Victor Elijah; DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY – Dino Placino; PRODUCTION DESIGN – James Rosendall; SOUND DESIGN – Zeke Carillo; ORIGINAL MUSIC – Rice Lucido; PRODUCTION MANAGER – Angelo Palpal-Latoc; PRODUCERS – Norvin De Los Santos, Joshua Elefan

(14 MINUTES, 45 SECONDS | Psychological Drama, War)

Rating: G

DIRECTED BY NORVIN DE LOS SANTOS

KONTROLADO NI GIRLY ANG BUHAY N’YA (GIRLY IS IN CONTROL OF HER LIFE)

A gay teenager looks for a job in a world he is unaware of.

SYNOPSIS: Girly, an unemployed gay man, lives below poverty line with a passive mother and an abusive father. He later finds his mother being sexually harassed by her partner. His life changes when the abuses also happened to Girly and he has nothing left to do but to control his life forward.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER: GILB BALDOZA is a film graduate from UP Film Institute who has a passion towards a sensitive and free representation of third-world queers in motion pictures. As a film student, he gained exposure and signature upon making queer-centric short films in realist third-world rural town of San Mateo, Rizal.

MAJOR CREDITS: CAST: Marcus Belisario, Gay Quililan, Lowell Kip Conales, Arrian Labios, Raion Sandoval, Claudia Enriquez, Giane Pascual, Nathan Ocampo, Cris Cruz, Rexzone Miguel, Jian Balderama PRODUCTION STAFF: DIRECTOR/ SCREENPLAY – Gilb Baldoza; EDITOR – Vanette Mendoza, Bab Baldoza; DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY – Deriq Tribdino; MUSIC – Mariah Reodica; PRODUCTION DESIGN – Austin Tan; SOUND DESIGN – Mikko Quizon; PRODUCTION MANAGER – Stelle Laguda, Tanya Macapagal; EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS – Martin Mayuga, Jeto Seen, Bessie Badilla

(19 MINUTES, 59 SECONDS | Queer Narrative)

Rating: R-18

DIRECTED BY GILB BALDOZA

SA AMONG AGWAT (IN BETWEEN SPACES)

Two brothers face their impending separation when an aunt who can’t bear a child offers to adopt the younger one.

SYNOPSIS: June, a 16-year-old farmer, lives with his mother Mina and his younger brother Mako near a pineapple field in Bukidnon. His aunt from Manila offers to adopt his brother Mako and let him study in a prestigious school. His mother is hesitant at first but later on agrees with the offer. Even if he is against it, June convinces Mako to go, thinking it would be best for his future. The two brothers now face their impending separation and think of ways they can spend every minute together before their aunt arrives. ABOUT THE FILMMAKER: DON SENOC is a filmmaker from Mindanao and a product of the University of the Philippines Film Institute where he graduated Cum Laude. He had written and directed several short films that received recognitions f rom local and international film festivals including “Daluhong,” which was part of Salamindanaw Asian Film Festival 2017 and has been nominated for Best Picture, Best Sound and Best Cinematography at the Mindanao Film Festival 2017. He participated in the Thailand International Film Destination Festival 2017 and shot his short film “Sound of Colors” in Thailand. His film “Delayed si Jhemerlyn Rose” won the Jury Prize in the 1st Sine Kabataan Short Film Competition during the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2017. He co-founded Film Producers Society, which aims to provide avenues for films that champion and reflect the Philippine artistry and talents to reach a wider audience through strategic marketing and distribution plans. He continues his passion for filmmaking and writes script for Spring Films and other filmmakers.

MAJOR CREDITS: MAJOR CREDITS: CAST: Cid Madula Senoc, Kelvin John Lim, Sheila Zafra Labos PRODUCTION STAFF: DIRECTOR/ SCREENPLAY – Don Senoc; ASST. DIRECTOR – Pat Pamintuan; EDITOR – Jaye Jacinto; DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY – Steven Paul Evangelio; PRODUCTION DESIGN – Drestel Leigh Galang; SOUND DESIGN – Krysver Gomez; MUSIC – Glenn Barit; SOUND RECORDIST – Krysver Gomez; COLORIST – Dia Magsaysay; PRODUCER – Bam Manlongat

(8 MINUTES, 30 SECONDS | Drama)

Rating: G

DIRECTED BY DON SENOC

TEMBONG (CONNECTING)

In a culture where designs are dreamt about and to be woven only by women, a T’boli man is challenged to face a cultural norm as the abaca goddess shows him a pattern to weave in his dreams.

SYNOPSIS: Grieving for the recent passing of his mother, a T’boli man from South Cotabato collects a series of patterns as an abaca goddess visits him in his dreams. He takes a journey of unearthing his history, making him disregard the consequences of defying a sanctified practice through secretly enduring the tedious process of weaving T’nalak – defining birth, life, marriage, and death, a sacred cloth only to be weaved by women. ABOUT THE FILMMAKER: SHAIRA ADVINCULA is a Filipina filmmaker with a film degree from the University of the Philippines Film Institute. Her recent work, “Tembong” was a nominee for Best Short Film at the FAMAS. The film was also a recipient of the UPFI-Canon Filmmaker Grant 2018 and was awarded Best Thesis for the UPFI’s Likha Adarna 2018. Her film also won the Golden Durian Prize for Best Mindanao Short at the Salamindanaw Asian Film Festival 2018 held in General Santos City. “Tembong” was also screened at the 6th CineKasimanwa in Western Visayas, the 11th CinemaRehiyon in Dumaguete, and the Short Cut Film Festival in Inđija, Serbia. Hailing from South Cotabato, Advicula aspires to bring forward diverse Mindanaoan narratives through visual storytelling. She is currently a creative associate at the Project 8 corner San Joaquin Projects, Inc. which teams up with new directors in producing films where the story is king.

MAJOR CREDITS: CAST: Charlie Dulay, Jeanilyn Dulay, Armando Tan , Sebulan Dulay, Florencio Dulay PRODUCTION STAFF: DIRECTOR/ SCREENPLAY/EDITOR – Shaira Advincula; ASST. DIRECTOR – Cola Cristobal; DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY – Ron Nigel Mosot; PRODUCTION DESIGN – Miguel Arciga; SOUND DESIGN – Kat Salinas; SOUND RECORDIST – Alejo Barbaza; COLORIST – Dia Magsaysay; PRODUCTION MANAGER – Jeremy Luke Bolatag, Roberto Advincula; EXECUTIVE PRODUCER – Joffrey Hapitan

(15 MINUTES, 06 SECONDS | Narrative, Historical, Drama)

Rating: PG

DIRECTED BY SHAIRA ADVINCULA

THE SHOE MAKER

An aging lady shoemaker gets a visit from her first love who abandoned her for three decades.

SYNOPSIS: Grace, a 65-year-old widow, runs a shoe factory in Marikina, the Shoe Capital of the Philippines. One day, Elias, Grace’s first love and first heartbreak, returns to her doorstep, asking for a pair of custom-made shoes. Circumstances force Grace to make him his pair of shoes. And when she does, she starts to slowly uncover the very reason why Elias returns for her forgiveness. When heartache returns from years ago, will it heal wounds or will it lead to more cuts? ABOUT THE FILMMAKER: SHERON DAYOC is director/producer who shifts from fiction/non-fiction storytelling to TV commercial directing. His notable films are Halaw (Ways of the Sea), which was Cinemalaya 2010 Best Film and NETPAC Jury - 2011 Berlinale, NETPAC Award – APSA 2011; “The Crescent Rising,” named Best Documentary at the Busan IFF 2011 and Best Documentary at the Gawad Urian; and “Women of the Weeping River,” which won numerous local and international awards. In advertising, his most notable work includes 2018 Vick’s “Touch of Care,” created with Publicis One, Singapore, which won awards in Spikes Asia and the Kidlat Awards at the Philippine Advertising Awards. Sheron founded the Southern Lantern Studios, a creative think tank and production company for multimedia short and long film and video content for various platform.

MAJOR CREDITS: CAST: PRODUCTION STAFF: DIRECTOR/PRODUCER – Sheron Dayoc; SCREENPLAY – Sonny Calvento; EDITOR – Benjo Ferrer; DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY – Rommel Sales; PRODUCTION DESIGN – Amihan Jumalon; SOUND DESIGN – Immanuel Verona; MUSIC – Khavn Dela Cruz; COLORIST – Timmy Torres; EXECUTIVE PRODUCER – Ho Hock Doong (ASTRO-Alist)

(14 MINUTES | Comedy Drama)

Rating: PG

DIRECTED BY SHERON DAYOC