UPV launches first FilmFest

The University of the Philippines Visayas and the Iloilo City Government partnered to bring out Western Visayas narratives through the first CineMapadayon Film Festival, running October 17–21, 2022, at the UP Visayas Cinematheque, Iloilo City Campus.

Despite the limitations set by pandemic, the collaboration between the university and the local government ignites the purpose of supporting the diverse and often no-platform stories, culture, and arts from the Western Visayas region.

The partnership was cemented on October 5, when CineMapadayon was officially launched as part of the Iloilo Arts Festival’s series of major activities that aims to showcase and cultivate the Ilonggo’s creativity and history through art.

Program and Screenings

Professor Nick Deocampo, multi-awarded filmmaker and film historian, of the UP Film Institute is joining the opening program on October 17. This is followed by a Fellowship Night.

CineMapadayon’s complete line-up comprises 19 Western Visayas short films that have been formally recognized by at least one national film festival and/or produced by UPV faculty members, students, and staff.

There are four sets of films that will be screened for the rest of the week from 11:00 AM to 6:30 PM.

Set A – Life as We Know It

• Kim Janus N Justo – Antos Anak
• Mile Gomilla – Balda Bari
• Jonathan Jurilla – Tiempo Suerte
• Manie Magbanua Jr. – Ugbos ka Bayabas

Set B – Grief Comes in Many Faces        

• Leo Art Diosep Borres – Exploration XY
• TM Malones – Sin-o ang Tiktik?
• Mark Joseph Perez – Marikudo
• JR Macahilas & Genevieve Cabarte – Sa Direksyon ni Makoy: The Final Cut
• Kevin Pison Piamonte – SOLO

Set C – Dream Sounds Like Nightmare Sometimes  

• Mark Raymund Garcia – Mga Bag-ong Nawong (sang Damgo kag Katingalahan)
• Edgar Joseph Derecho – Huni Kang Pungaw
• Raymund Encanto Salao – ANIMO
• Luisa G. Nalupano – Panihol Sang Katungdan (Whistle of the West)
• TM Malones – Bawod

Set D – The Waters Have Tales To Tell

• Richard D. Olano, Jr. – Litaniya Sang Dutang Ginpatumbayaan
• Dennis Hubag – Ang Duyan Ko Sa Panganod
• Niño B. Maldecir – Mata Kang Busay
• Kenneth De la Cruz – Sa Pagpula sang Lawod
• Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay & Richard Jeroui Salvadico – Mga Handum nga Nasulat sa Baras

Other aspects intended for the festival’s sustainability include the initiative of the UP Visayas Communication and Media Studies program to offer 30 units of film courses to boost students’ knowledge of regional filmmaking and eventually empower the Philippine cinema industry. The university also plans to host a 2-week Miagao Summer Film Camp in 2023 to provide workshops on various filmmaking technicalities. The said camp expects to exhibit the film output at the succeeding CineMapadayon Film Festival at the UP Visayas Miagao campus.

For more information about the event, visit CineMapadayon Film Festival’s social media channels: Facebook: CineMapadayon; Twitter: @CineMapadayon