The Office of Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva has turned over P400,000 worth of seed fund to the 10 short films in production for the Margaha Film Festival slated this February, a press release from Sagay PIO said.
Each of the producers received P40,000 each from Vice Mayor Cueva as their seed fund to produce their short films in consideration for the 6th SineMargaha Sagaynon Shorts Competition.
Cueva said that this is his way of encouraging more filmmakers to create local stories, as well as help them by providing financial support to make it a reality.
Festival director Helen Arguelles-Cutillar said that she is thankful to Vice Mayor Cueva for his support, and this is a big help to the local filmmakers to elevate the quality of their films.
“Thank you for championing local filmmaking in Sagay City,” she said.
By far, this is the biggest seed fund that has been given to filmmakers since the Margaha Film Festival started in 2020.
Arguelles-Cutillar also looks forward to their partnership with the Second Congressional District Office, National Commission for Culture, and Film Development Council for the mounting of the festival that will be held last week of February.
The submissions for the Philippine Shorts Competition are still ongoing until January 30.
The festival organizers are also looking forward to a 10-panel board of jurors for this year’s festival.*