MANILA, PHILIPPINES, APRIL 27, 2021 — There are spectacular hero stories in Philippine history, and there are also simple accounts of heroism that are just as inspiring. Such unheard stories of heroism also deserve the spotlight, and these will be showcased at Kidlat Tahimik's Unsung Sariling Bayani (USB) Short Film Competition.

Through the inaugural USB, National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Kidlat Tahimik, hopes that this cinematic movement for the youth will balance the influence of foreign comic book superheroes on the Filipino youth’s mindset with compelling engagements with the glorious stories of our very own heroes. 

“Balik tayo sa simple storytelling. I think we are all, even at a high school age, we are intelligent enough to see a positive value in somebody older or chosen as a hero who can really bring out the best in us,” he said. 

The USB Online Film Festival was launched on April 27 by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) in partnership with the National Quincentennial Committee (NQC). The Bureau of Learner Support Services - Youth Formation Division of the Department of Education is in support of this FDCP project.

April 27, 2021 is a significant moment in Philippine history as it marks the 500th anniversary of the Victory at Mactan as well as the 500th anniversary of the Philippine part in the first circumnavigation of the world.

Kidlat Tahimik, 78, remarked, “I think it is very timely, itong 500 years after to let this be a catalyzer. Para sa akin, magandang catalyzer itong pang-udyok para maka-focus tayo on heroism but maybe also on redefining ‘Ano ba talaga ang heroism?’” 

The competition for Filipinos accepts shorts of any genre as long as they feature a story depicting the life, times, and achievements of documented and verifiable unsung local heroes. The entries must be 5 to 8 minutes long, including the credits. 

The USB has three categories: Youth Category - Senior High Student (Public School), Youth Category - Senior High Student (Private School), and Adult Category (Aged 18 and above). The deadline for the submission of entries is on October 11, 2021.

The FDCP Channel will host the USB Online Film Festival from November 11 to 17 and will stream the Awards Ceremony on November 14. Aside from the festival proper, USB will hold the FDCP Film School Basic Workshops on Filmmaking as well as the “Storming with Kidlat: Usapang Bayani Forum” wherein participants can consult with the National Artist himself.

A total of 30 finalists will be selected for the USB, with equal representation from the National Capital Region (NCR), Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Finalists will receive cash prizes and free access to all educational events to aid in their filmmaking process. After the competition, USB winners and finalists will get the chance to attend more free training sessions and workshops to be conducted by the FDCP.

“Through the guidance of National Artist and Father of Philippine Independent Cinema Kidlat Tahimik together with other esteemed Filipino filmmakers, I am confident that the USB finalists will take inspiration and motivation from Tatay Kidlat’s ‘bamboo camera filmmaking’ to promote the appreciation for lesser-known local heroes through short films,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño.

The bamboo camera has been a symbol of Kidlat Tahimik’s remarkable local storytelling through the years. “Let the bamboo cameras guide our filmmaking,” said the National Artist born Eric de Guia who has received accolades from Cinemalaya, Gawad Urian, Prince Claus Fund, Amiens International Film Festival, and Berlin International Film Festival, among others.

“Sa dami ng mga bagong kuwento, I think yayaman ang kasaysayan ng Pilipinas and we, the small filmmakers, can contribute to the archives of our relevant local history,” noted Kidlat Tahimik.

For more information and to download the application form, visit www.fdcp.ph/sariling-bayani and for inquiries, contact Mr. Mark John Pamintuan at [email protected] with the subject heading “Query: USB 2021.” 

The UNSUNG SARILING BAYANI Mechanics and Guidelines:

A. SHORT FILM FORMAT

• Time limit: Minimum of five (5) minutes to a maximum of eight (8) minutes, including credits
• Genre: Any, in live-action, documentary, or animation
• Language: Preferably Filipino. English or any native language is allowed, provided that there are subtitles in Filipino. 
• File format: Complete final cut and trailer must be submitted in 1080p, mp4 format, mixed in 5.1 audio format. 

B. SUBJECT AND COVERAGE

Stories that depict the life, times, and achievements of Filipino heroes (documented and verifiable - local heroes).

Lesser-known Heroes from History

1. Local heroes recognized by the local government or by the provincial government units.

2. Local heroes that have significant acts or noble contributions to the country or their own communities, such as, but not limited to:

• An initiative that has contributed to achieving the nation’s freedom
• An initiative that has helped an individual or community achieve a life of freedom, peace, and prosperity
• An act that helped save the life of an individual, especially one that involves risk to physical comfort, social stature, or quality of life
• A notable form of service that helped an individual or community in times of adversity

3. A significant figure that has made relevant contributions or has introduced a positive change in his/her field. 

These people must have appeared at least once in literature, such as reference books, newspapers, journals, etc. 

NOTE: Nationally recognized heroes who are not covered in the Festival are Jose Rizal; Andres Bonifacio; Emilio Aguinaldo; Apolinario Mabini; Marcelo H. del Pilar; Sultan Dipatuan Kudarat; Juan Luna; Melchora Aquino; Gabriela Silang; Lapu-Lapu; Antonio Luna; Gregorio del Pilar, etc.

C. CATEGORIES AND PARTICIPANTS

The competition is open to all Filipinos and will have the following categories: 

1. Youth Category - Senior High Student (Public School)

• Open to all public senior high school students who are currently enrolled in the academic year 2020-2021(2nd semester) or academic year 2021-2022.

2. Youth Category - Senior High Student (Private School)

• Open to all private senior high school students who are currently enrolled in the academic year 2020-2021 (2nd semester) or academic year 2021-2022. 

3.  Adult Category

• Open to all filmmakers from ages 18 and above.

D. AWARDS AND PRIZES 

For the Youth Categories (Public and Private):

• Best Short Film - P30,000 + certificate each
• Best Director - P20,000 + certificate each
• Audience Choice Award - P10,000 + certificate each

For the Adult Category:

• Best Short Film - P50,000 + certificate
• Best Director - P30,000 + certificate
• Audience Choice Award - P15,000 + certificate

The 21 non-winning finalists will be given consolation prizes of P5,000 each + certificates.

The winners and finalists will also get the chance to attend free training and workshops to be conducted by the FDCP after the competition.

E. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

The following must be submitted online in an organized Google Drive folder with shared viewing setting:

For the Youth Categories (Public and Private Senior High Schools):

• Duly accomplished Application Form which can be downloaded here.
• A secured direct link (either in Vimeo or Google Drive) to a high-resolution copy of the short film, available for download
• Movie trailer, maximum of 90 seconds. (This may be included in the Vimeo or Google Drive link.)       
• Poster design in JPEG format (27”x41”, 300dpi)
• School ID, enrollment form, or any proof that the student is enrolled in the current academic year (2nd Semester of AY 2020-2021 or 1st Semester of AY 2021-2022)

All requirements must be emailed to [email protected]. With the subject “FDCP_USB_(TITLE OF THE FILM)”.

For the Adult Category:

• Duly accomplished Application Form which can be downloaded here.
• A secured direct link (either in Vimeo or Google Drive) to a high-resolution copy of the short film, available for download.              
• Movie trailer, maximum of 90 seconds. (This may be included in the Vimeo or Google Drive link.)       
• Poster design in JPEG format (27”x41”, 300dpi)
• Resume with two (2) 2x2 photos
• Copy of a government-issued ID

All requirements must be emailed to [email protected]. With the subject “FDCP_USB_(TITLE OF THE FILM)”.

F. RULES AND GUIDELINES

By entering the competition, the participants agree to abide by the competition guidelines and rules as follows:

1. The submitted films must meet the short film format as stated in the mechanics.

2. The submitted films must not have been released on any platform, festival, or event before submission.

3. Participants must submit complete and correct application requirements on or before the deadline of submissions. Films with incomplete requirements will not be accepted to apply. 

4. The use of original literary sources, music materials, artwork, photography, etc., in the films, must have proper clearance from their respective copyright owners. The competition organizers shall not be liable for any costs related to claims of performing rights organizations.

5. Any modification will not be allowed for final entries except the addition of necessary subtitles.

6. Revised or re-submitted films, whether using the same or a different title, are not eligible to apply.

7. The organizers shall not be required to return any submitted material.

8. In case of any violation of the guidelines and rules or if any participant is found to have committed plagiarism or has undertaken fraudulent practice and/or activities harmful to the competition event or the submission process, the organizers reserve the right to disqualify the participant and their film, remove them from the program, or forfeit any prize from a participant at any point in the competition.

9. The USB Selection Committee will determine ten (10) finalists from each of the three categories, totaling 30 finalists. 

10. The USB Jury will determine the winning films from the thirty (30) finalists. All entries will be judged based on the official criteria given. 

11. The thirty (30) finalists will be viewed by the USB Jury that will judge the films based on the same official criteria and will decide the winners of the competition.

12. FDCP shall have non-exclusive non-commercial rights to screen the films in schools and educational institutions, various public events, and platforms for educational and cultural purposes for free, for three (3) years after the last day of the competition.

13. FDCP reserves the right to create, revoke, and modify at any time, in any way its entry requirements, rules, and regulations at its absolute discretion without prior notice. Finalists and submitted entries shall be bound by any amendments or addition to the entry requirements, rules and regulations herewith.

14. The decision of the USB Jury is final and irrevocable. The organizers and the judging committee are not obliged to explain the results.

G. DEADLINE OF SUBMISSION

Entries must be submitted on or before 11:59 pm on October 11, 2021 (Indigenous Peoples’ Day).

H. CRITERIA FOR JUDGING

I. USB ONLINE FILM FESTIVAL

The 30 finalist films will be screened during the USB Online Film Festival via the FDCP Channel on November 11-17, 2021.

J. ANNOUNCEMENT OF WINNERS DURING AWARDS NIGHT

An Awards Ceremony will be held on November 14, 2021 (Sunday).

K. INQUIRIES

All queries can be sent to [email protected] with the subject heading “Query: USB 2021.”