The showcase of the films in competition at the Margaha Film Festival extends its screenings through the Film Development Council of the Philippines’ online streaming platform “JuanFlix” from March 10 to 16, a press release from Sagay PIO said.
After its official kick-off on February 22, SineMargaha films are still being showcased through public screenings at the Sagay City Plaza and on JuanFlix: The FDCP Channel, featuring 10 films from the Sagaynon Shorts Programme and 7 from the Philippine Shorts Programme.
Late last month, Margaha Film Festival held its awarding ceremony where the panel of 9 jurors gave out 23 awards, including technical, acting, and creative awards.
In the Philippine Shorts Category, Jermaine Tulbo’s “A Crab from a conch shell”, a film that explores grief in the lens of an orphan girl is the first-ever Best Philippine Short Film of the festival.
The jury cited the film as “a masterful depiction of grief without being overpowering, with the transition so seamless that it has ceased to be the images of sadness but already sadness itself.”
“Refined and yet lacking a self-consciousness common in well-constructed film, visual poetry takes over the narrative of this film, which rightfully deserves the top prize”, the citation added.
In the same category, Anjo Salmorin’s “Sino Nagaeog-Gaeog sa Eugan-Eugan?” was awarded Best Director and Jury Prize.
The jury prize award in the Philippine Shorts Category was given “ex-aequo” or equal with Juvy Ann Clarito’s “Sa Ilalum sa Balabal sa Alitaptap”.
Alleison Dimatulac’s “Subasko” was awarded the best screenplay.
Meanwhile, Seb Valdez’ “Si Sir kag ang Gamay nga Bata”, a film about a mystical “Kapre” teaching a young mystical creature the ways of how to coexist with the people is the Best Sagaynon Short Film.
The jury said that the film was “daring and confident, this film represents how the filmmakers from Sagay are constantly pushing themselves to new boundaries, breaking them even, and crossing barriers to present an extraordinarily unusual way of looking at creatures that are supposed to frighten us and yet turn out to be more breathtakingly human than any one of us”.
The film also won best editing, best sound design, best original soundtrack, best acting performance in a supporting role for RZ Magpusao, acting award in a leading role for Carlo Navarette, and best screenplay.*
