MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The most anticipated film event of the year, the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, started streaming consciousness on August 7, Friday, via Vimeo.
Co-produced by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Cinemalaya Foundation Inc., the biggest indie film festival in the country opens with a short virtual program, with pre-recorded messages from Cinemalaya and CCP airing on the official CCP and Cinemalaya Facebook pages, Vimeo and Kumu.
The 10 Short Films in Competition also premiered, grouped into two sets:
Set A: Ang Gasgas na Plaka ni Lolo Bert by Janina Gacosta and Cheska Marfori; Pabasa Kan Pasyon by Hubert Tibi; Fatigued by James Mayo; Tokwifi by Carla Pulido Ocampo; and Quing Lalam Ning Aldo by Reeden Fajardo.
Set B: Ang Pagpakalma sa Unos by Joanna Vasquez Arong; Living Things by Martika Ramirez Escobar; Utwas by Richard Salvadico and Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay; Excuse Me Miss, Miss, Miss by Sonny Calvento; and The Slums by Jan Andrei Cobey.
There will be talkbacks with the competing filmmakers after each screening, were streamed on Kumu and Facebook.
Gawad Alternatibo opened with a virtual program, followed by the screening of with director Raymond Red’s 12-minute short film Anino, plus rare footages of the late veteran actor Eddie Garcia.
Other Cinemalaya components such as Visions of Asia, Indie Nations, Tribute, Premieres, Cinemalaya Retro, among others will be screening on Vimeo until August 16.
To watch over 175 Cinemalaya featured films, go to https://vimeo.com/ondemand. Then, search for Cinemalaya 16 and choose the package or bundle you want to purchase. You may also check out www.cinemalaya.org and click ‘Buy Tickets,’ pick a bundle, and click ‘Rent,’ after which you will be redirected to the Vimeo site.
Regular bundles, are available for Php75 each. This includes Main Competition Shorts A and B (five films per program), Indie Nation full-length: Mindanao, Double Feature A: Cinemalaya Retro full-length: Jay and Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank; Double Feature B: Cinemalaya Retro full-length Amok and Ekstra.
Triple Feature, priced at Php150, gives you access to Premieres short films (Basurero, Heneral Rizal and Nang Em).
With Basic bundle, you can watch Indie Nation Shorts, Indie Nation Full-Length, Dokyu and Cinemalaya Retrospective Shorts Double feature.
Standard bundle, priced at Php200, lets you enjoy Main Competition Shorts A, Main Competition Shorts B, Indie Nation Shorts and Full-Length, Dokyu, Cinemalaya Retro Full-Length and Shorts.
If you want to catch all films and watch the talkbacks with filmmakers, Cinemalaya Campus talkbacks, and other fringe events, opt for the Premium bundle, priced at Php350. It includes the Standard bundle offering plus Premieres, Tribute to Peque Gallaga and Anita Linda, Digital Classics, and Experiments During Quarantine (VLF Kapit Plays).
When you click the Buy button, you will be prompted to sign up or log in to Vimeo. If you have an existing Vimeo account, simply log in. Otherwise, join Vimeo by registering your name, email address and desired password. Or you can simply click the “Join with Facebook” or “Join with Google.”
After creating a Vimeo account, fill out the necessary payment details and follow the payment process. You can pay using your credit/debit card and Paypal account, as well as GCash Mastercard/Virtual Card and Virtual American Express cards.
Once done, you will receive an email with e-receipt and a link where you can now enjoy and watch the Cinemalaya 2020 films.
For more information, check out the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph), follow the CCP official account in Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. You may also check out the official Cinemalaya Facebook page.
