Following its official press conference held Monday, February 17 at The Podium Hall in Mandaluyong, the sixth edition of the Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival is ready to take place this year from March 17 to March 24. The film festival will screen in select cinemas across Metro Manila alongside other events and film talks held in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) that are scheduled to run through the month of March.

Founded by internationally renowned independent film director Brillante Mendoza alongside film producer and Solar Entertainment Corporation President Wilson Tieng in 2015, Sinag Maynila holds the tagline “Sine Lokal, Pang-International.” With this motto, the festival screens independent films of international caliber that strive not merely to educate but also edify its audience. 

This year Sinag Maynila features five full-length feature films making their Philippine premieres (four of which will be world premieres), six documentaries, and ten short films. The festival will also hold several other activities alongside the screenings some of which are set take place before the official opening night and others amid the festival run.

Notably, in continuation of its partnership with FDCP through the agency’s Distribution and Exhibition Division (DED), Sinag Maynila 2020 will feature a Film Talks Series led by John Wong of Shutter Post. The two talks revolve around post-production and are entitled “From Computer Screen to The Big Screen” held on February 19 and “Importance of Color and Power of Sound” which takes place on March 4. An additional special Film Appreciation Workshop under FDCP Film Talks will also be held on Brillante Mendoza’s award-winning film Mindanao on March 4.

FDCP Distribution and Exhibition Division Head Anna Abalahin, Film Talks Speaker John Anthony Wong, and Butch Ibañez of Solar Entertainment at the first FDCP Film Talks of 2020

Further FDCP support comes by way of the official FDCP Filmmakers Night which will take place on March 20 amid the festival run. During the FDCP Filmmakers Night, the various directors, producers, and actors of Sinag Maynila 2020 will be given an opportunity to network and discuss possibilities of future collaboration between them.

This year’s edition of Sinag Maynila will notably be its biggest yet. Festival co-founder Wilson Tieng discussed the festival’s growth since its premiere in 2015 during his opening remarks at Monday’s official press conference. He pointed to the steady expansion of Sinag Maynila as it continues to inspire Philippine audiences and local independent cinema. Tieng attributed the festival’s success to its working relationship with its official partners and his simple passion for furthering the development of Philippine cinema without desire for profit.

Festival co-founder Brillante Mendoza speaks to the media

Co-founder Brillante Mendoza added to the goal of Sinag Maynila by noting how Sinag Maynila has become a significant venue for Filipino filmmakers, giving them a voice and providing them an alternative space outside the dominant spheres of the local film industry’s mainstream: “Nandidito kami para sumuporta, para tumulong—para magbigay boses sa mga Filipino filmmakers” he said.

Kintsugi cast and crew members with Sinag Maynila co-founders Wilson Tieng and Brillante Mendoza

Sinag Maynila’s full-length feature films for this year are He Who is Without Sin (dir. Jason Paul Laxamana), The Highest Peak (dir. Arnel Barbarona), Kintsugi (Beautifully Broken) (dir. Lawrence Fajardo), Latay (Battered Husband) (dir. Ralston Jover), and Walang Kasarian ang Digmang Bayan (The Revolution Knows No Gender) (dir. Joselito Altajeros). 

The official selections for the documentary section are A Remembering of Disremembering (dir. Cris Bringas), Agos (dir. Jerel Travezonda), Coal Story, Bro (dir. RA Rivera), Kung Saan Ka Happy: An A.D.N. Story (dir. Kimberly Ilaya), Mga Bayaning Ayta (dir. Donnie Sacueza) and Vahay: A Documentary on The Ivatan House (dir. Rica Arevalo).

The short films are Ang Kaibigan ni Imaginary F (dir. Joey Paras), Dasal (dir. Angela Andres), Leave Notes (dir. Yssa Valdes), Nilalalang (Of Beings and Deceit) (dir. Juan Carlo Tarobal), Pabasa kan Pasyon (dir. Hubert Tibi), Silang Mga Nakatago sa Dilim (dir. Diana Manguiat and Angelica Nitura), Supot (dir. Philip Giordano), Tahanan (dir. Mick Quito), Tarang (Life’s Pedal) (dir. Arvin Belarmino and Patsy Ferrer), and Together (dir. Blasgil Tanquilut).