Young filmmakers to screen short films at 2024 Manila Film Festival

YOUNG filmmakers will take the center stage in the upcoming Manila Film Festival (TMFF) next month, as their short films will be screened in the festival’s 2024 edition.

With the theme of “Manila in Me,” the second edition of TMFF will feature the works of eight Filipino independent student filmmakers, who were chosen from nearly 100 student filmmakers from schools across the country.

These eight young individuals received a P150,000 cash grant each from the Manila government to aid their film production.

Here are the eight official entries competing under the Short Form category of this year’s festival:

• “Ballad of a Blind Man”

Director: Charlie Garcia Vitug of De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde

• “Happy (M)others Day”

Director: Ronnie Ramos of University of the Philippines Film Institute

• “Una’t Huling Sakay”

Director: Vhan Marco Molacruz of Colegio de San Juan De Letran – Manila

• “Threefor100: o ang tamang porma ng pag uukay at iba pang mga bagay-bagay, i think!”

Director: Cedrick Labadia of iACADEMY

• “An Kuan”

Director: Joyce Ramos of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

• “Ditas Pinamalas”

Director: Adrian Renz Espino of Adamson University

• “Pinilakang Tabingi”

Director: John Pistol Carmen of Bicol University

• “Bahay, Baboy, Bagyo”

Director: Miko Biong of UP Film Institute

TMFF has released a student directors’ trailer for this year’s edition, showing teasers of the eight short films. It featured several familiar faces like veteran actor Nonie Buencamino in “Una’t Huling Sakay” and comedian John Feir in “Ditas Pinamalas.”

The festival also shared posters of the official entries and behind-the-scenes photos during their filming.

TMFF will have its premiere night on June 4 at the Metropolitan Theater. 

The eight short films will have their theatrical run from June 5 to 11 at Cinema 3 of Robinsons Manila; and on June 10 to 11 at Cinema 3 of Robinsons Magnolia in Quezon City.

The awards night is scheduled on June 11 at the Metropolitan Theater, where 11 recognitions are expected to be given.

Four other films by renowned directors

TMFF 2024 will also feature four other films: “Lumang Tugtugin” by Pepe Diokno, “MAY at NILA” by Sigrid Bernardo, “NANANAHAN” by Dwein Baltazar, and “Shortest Day, Longest Night” by JP Habac.

Diokno is the director of “Engkwentro,” which won the Lion of the Future award at the 2009 Venice Film Festival; and “GomBurZa” which was among the 10 official entries at the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). The 2023 historical film recently won the Best Cinematography and Best Musical Score awards at the 72nd Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) awards.

Bernardo is best known for directing films like “Kita Kita,” which had its world premiere at the 12th Osaka Asian Film Festival in Japan, and “Under Parallel Skies,” which was topbilled by Filipino actress Janella Salvador and Thai actor Win Metawin.

Meanwhile, Baltazar is known for his films “Mamay Umeng,” which won Best Picture at the 2013 Jeonju International Film Festival, and “Gusto Kita With All My Hypothalamus,” which won two awards at the Golden Horse Film Festival in Taipei.

Lastly, Habac’s works included the hit movie “I’m Drunk, I Love You” and LGBTQIA+-themed series “Gaya sa Pelikula” and “Drag You & Me.” He has bagged recognitions from the Cairo International Film Festival, Busan International Film Festival, and Shanghai International Film Festival.