College of St. Benilde’s indie film fest CineSB6 opens

The 6th edition of the CineSB Independent Film Festival at the College of St. Benilde kicked off on Monday, July 18.

It showcases a wide selection of films, including films produced by students from Benilde's Film Department; indie films from regions outside of Metro Manila; and works of students from other film schools in the country. “CineSB6 promotes the Filipino experience in film-making,” said Benilde film professor Edward Cabagnot, one of the CineSB6 organizers.

The Benilde film festival features a variety of events such as “The Chair,” a competition of Benilde Film theses; “Twenty Quatro,” an inter-school, 24-hour guerrilla filmmaking competition; “Indie Ani,” a showcase of outstanding short films from different Metro Manila schools; “Harvest Moon,” an exhibition of undergraduate short film projects; and “Cinema Rehiyon,” a masterpiece showcase for film-makers from Luzon to Mindanao.

Cinema Rehiyon, one of the festival's non-competition programs, exhibits selected works of filmmakers from all over the Philippines.

National in scope, Cinema Rehiyon is a “celebration of the diversity of Philippine culture coming together in the medium of film,” Cabagnot said.

“These films offer varied perspectives and unique experiences from people from different walks of life.”

Cinema Rehiyon runs from July 20 to July 28 and features films from different regions every day. These include “Angkla,” directed by Joyce Pascua; Kenneth Dagatan’s “Sanctissima,” which won the Cinemalaya 2015 Audience Choice Award; and “Tami-aw” by director Mary Ann Gabisan, winner of the 11th Mindanao film festival special jury award.

CineSB will also hold forums tackling topics such as the state of Philippine independent cinema funding, documentary film-making, cinematography, and production management. Filmmakers and film professionals will also talk about various aspects of being a filmmaker, whether indie or mainstream.

The forums will include “The Pinoy Documentary: Challenges and Opportunities,” to be conducted by director Coreen Jimenez on July 21; “The State of Independence: Funding the Future” with Quezon City Cinema Festival director Ed Lejano; CinemaOne Festival director Ronald Arguelles, and Artikulo Uno’s Vicente Brida, Eddie Rocha, and Fernando Ortigas on July 25; and award-winning cinematographer Neil Daza's masterclass on cinematography on July 27.

Bianca Balbuena, producer of Lav Diaz’s “Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis” and Antonette Jadaone’s “That thing Called Tadhana,” will hold a masterclass on production management on July 28.

Admission to the forums will be free.

The CineSB6 awards night is on July 29, 7 pm, at the DLS-CSB School of Design and Arts Building 5th floor theatre. — BM, GMA News

CineSB6 runs until July 29 at the DLS–CSB School of Design and Arts Building along Pablo Ocampo Street corner Vito Cruz Street in Manila. Go here for more information.

Seats for Cinema Rehiyon are on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission is free.

The four-day CineSB6 film forums start at 8 a.m. Admission is free.