Sagay City’s Margaha Film Festival will now be opening submissions for its first-ever Philippine Shorts Competition in its sixth installment this February, a press release from Sagay PIO said.
Margaha Film Festival or “SineMargaha”, is announcing the opening of submission for their “Ang Istorya sang Amon Isla” Philippine Shorts Competition which aims to showcase short films from various islands of the country.
Festival director Helen Arguelles-Cutillar said that this expansion of programming is an initiative of the festival to showcase more stories from the islands of the Philippines while staying true to the film festival’s core of presenting local heritage and culture.
“Ang Istorya sang Amon Isla”, focuses on short films that explore the rich narratives of the island, mountains, sea, and the people of the Philippine archipelago.
The films should explore the heritage, culture, and way of life of the local communities, showcasing stories that reflect the connection between the island and its people.
The short film should have a runtime of 10 to 20 minutes, directed and produced by Filipino filmmakers from January 1, 2023 to October 31, 2024.
The proceeds of the submission fees for this category will proceed to the “Balhasanay Filmmaking Movement”, a community-based filmmaking organization in Sagay City.
The submission of entries is until Jan. 30, 2025, 11:59 p.m. through the url: https://forms.gle/7rC1qXhMgdJxPFCXA.
Meanwhile, the Margaha Shorts Competition that is exclusive to Sagaynon filmmakers has announced the 10 scripts in consideration.
These are “1945: Fight for Freedom” directed by John Fritz Ardeña, “Ang Babaye sa Bubon” by Jecen Despi and Junmarl Alconga, “Ga Ano Kamo?”, by Alfonso “Thirdy” Macam III, “Hangaway” by Levi James Arellano, “Kabay Pa” by Kent Raven Ardeña;
“Maca” by Mery Grace Rama-Mission, “Macamilco: Isa Ka Balinghoy ang Kalibutan” by Geryco Cortez and Star Avril Trangia, “Mga Hutik kag Tinago” by Rhyne Angel Dayaganon, “Pagpanginyawat” by Bert Jan Desphy, and “Si Sir kag ang Gamay nga Bata” by Seb Valdez.
The film festival will run during the last week of February, in line with the celebration of the National Arts Month.
The Margaha Film Festival is presented by the City Government of Sagay, in partnership with the Office of Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines.*
