Southeast Asian Social Development Films Shine at SineMaya Awards 2024

The SineMaya 2024 Community Short Film Festival held its awarding ceremony on December 15, 2024, at SM City Sto. Tomas in Batangas. The event celebrated the creative talents of budding Southeast Asian filmmakers, showcasing the power of storytelling to drive social change.

This year’s festival featured 16 short films produced by microfinance institutions and social development organizations. The theme, “A Glimpse of Chín Muồi: Harvesting Dreams and Success Together with Social Development Organizations” (Filipino: “Pagsulyap sa Karilagan ng Pagbabago: Mga Bunga ng Pangarap at Tagumpay sa Tulong ng Social Development Organizations”), emphasizes community narratives that inspire hope, resilience, and achievement.

A panel of seven esteemed judges deliberated the entries, including directors, producers, media professionals, and community development experts. The jury comprised Mr. Hugo “Boboy” Yonzon III, Mr. Dennis Empalmado, Mr. Daniel Castro, Mr. Allan Sicat, Dr. Edmund Centeno, Ms. Catsi Catalan, and Mr. Jolan Rivera.

Here’s the full list of finalists and winners of the 2024 SineMaya: Community Short Film Festival:

Teoryang “Ako” from K-COOP, Quezon City took home the Best Film award, Founder’s Excellence Award (Local Category), Best Screenplay for Mica Superable, Hazel del Bando, and Ajed Mostairo, Best Editing by Ericson Bulahan, and Best Male Actor in a Leading Role for John Patrick Bequillo.

Second Best Film went to Balud: Waves of Resilience by CARD, Inc. (A Microfinance NGO) from Cebu, and also earned Best Director for Eduardo Pacquiao, Best Trailer,  and the People’s Choice Award. Meanwhile, Escaping Poverty: A Story of Muong Woman Supported by TYM from Vietnam clinched the 3rd Best Film and Best Cinematography.

Other winners include Victoria from Malvar Senior High School from Batangas, with Best Female Actor in a Leading Role for Abygail Mirandilla and the Young Filmmaker Award for CineBughaw Film Production.

Tinapay by People’s Alternative Livelihood Microfinance Foundation of Sorsogon Inc. (PALMFSI) won Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role for Princess Lasala, the Community Development Award for Women’s Economic Empowerment, and the Managing Director’s Choice, a legacy award given by Mr. Aristeo A. Dequito.

Antipara at Libreta from CARD Mutual Benefit Association in Laguna earned Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role for Paul Kenneth Fordan and the Community Development Award for Social Transformation.

In addition, Sa PILIng ni Inay by ASA Philippines Foundation Inc. from Camarines Sur, received the Community Development Award for Resiliency, while Hope in the Tides by NWTF Project Dungganon, Negros Occidental, was recognized with the Community Development Award for Financial Literacy. Seed of Changes by Ekphatana Microfinance Institution from Laos was honored with the Bente Productions Special Distinction Award while Mingalarbar by CARD Myanmar Company Ltd. won the Founder’s Excellence Award (International Category).

The finalists also included Sweet Dawn by Dungganon Bank from Bacolod City, Puno ng Buhay by CARD Bank from Quezon Province, Kabute by Simbag Microfinance from Albay, May Ngiti ang Pangarap by CARD MRI Rizal Bank from Rizal, A Light in the Shadow by CARD SME Bank from Zamboanga, and Litrato by CARD-MRI Development Institute from Davao del Norte.

“With the success of this 3rd Edition of the Sinemaya Community Short Film Festival, we have seen just how much we can achieve when we come together,” shared Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip, Founder and Chair Emeritus of CARD MRI. “These films are powerful stories of empowerment, hope, and deep connections that bind communities and social organizations across Southeast Asia.”

Since its inception in 2022, the SineMaya Community Short Film Festival has expanded significantly, now welcoming filmmakers from social development organizations throughout Southeast Asia. The 2024 edition underscores the power of film to inspire positive change and amplify voices.