Cinemalya 2013 Finalists

The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival has announced the finalists for this year’s edition. In line with the announcement, Cinemalaya will also hold its traditional casting call/open auditions to be held on January 19 to 20, 2013 (Saturday and Sunday), 9AM to 6PM (with breaks), at the MKP Hall, 4th Floor of the Cultural Center of the Philippines at Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City. The filmmakers will be there to personally conduct the auditions.

Each official entry is entitled to receive a P500,000 seed grant from the Cinemalaya Foundation, Inc. Cinemalaya 2013 will be held within a 10-day run showcasing new indie films from July 26 to August 4, 2013 at the CCP theaters, Trinoma, and Greenbelt Cinemas.

Here are the following entries for Cinemalaya 2013

  
DIRECTOR'S SHOWCASE

‘AMOR Y MUERTE’
Directed by Cesar Evangelista and Written by Jerry Gracio
Assistant Director and Line Producer is Armand Reyes
Set in the 16th century, “Amor Y Muerte” (which means “love and death”) is an examination of the initial encounter between the Indios (natives) and their colonizers (Spaniards) and their conflicting views on love, passion, religion, and sexuality. The roles — which include Spanish and Filipino brown hunks — call for nudity. For casting inquiries, email ces_e2004@yahoo.com.

‘EXTRA’
Directed by Jeffrey Jeturian and written by Jeffrey Jeturian, Antoinette Jadaone, and Zig Dulay
Produced by Atty. Joji Alonso
A story about a woman who works as an “extra” or bit player in indie films. The film marks the indie film debut of Vilma Santos. There is no word yet from the production if their cast is complete or if it still needs a casting call.

‘PORNO’
Directed by Adolfo Alix, Jr. and written by Ralston Jover
The story concept simply state that it’s a powerful story about individuals linked by pornography. Major roles are already taken but minor roles for several male actors and transgenders are yet to be cast.

‘SANA DATI’
Written and Directed by Jerrold Tarog
A love story about a woman whose wedding is thrown into disarray when a mysterious person arrives and reminds her of the man she really loves. It is the third part of Tarog’s Camera Trilogy after “Confessional” (Cinema One Originals 2007) and “Mangatyanan” (Cinemalaya 2009). Up for casting grabs is the male lead role and several supporting parts. For inquiries, email anamarinella@gmail.com.

 ‘THE LIARS’
Director: Gil M. Portes
Writer: Senedy Que
Based on a real-life sports scandal, “THE LIARS” traces the incredible rise and the humiliating fall of a humble Filipino baseball team of young boys in an international baseball competition in the 1990s. Adult roles are already taken so the film only needs to cast a total of 18 characters for boys aged 10 to 14 years old who also know how to play baseball. For casting inquiries, email itayportes@yahoo.com.

NEW BREED CATEGORY

‘BABAGWA (THE SPIDER’S LAIR)’
Written and directed by Jason Paul Laxamana
No logline or story concept submitted yet. Lead, supporting and special roles for male and female actors to be cast. For casting inquiries, email sisig_man@yahoo.com.ph.

‘DAVID F.’
Directed by Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Palo
As per the “unofficial” story concept, the film is the story of the African-American soldier who sided with the Filipinos during the Philippine-American war. It’s a three-stories-in-one film about blacks. Casting requirements to follow. Send message to: http://www.facebook.com/eqpalo

‘DEBOSYON’
Written and directed by Alvin Yapan
Story concept to follow. According to producer Alemberg Ang, they already have the cast, but if the need arises, they would look for back-up talents and actors who are fluent in Bicolano.

‘PRIMERA BELLA’
Written and Directed by Richard Soriano Legaspi
“Primera Bella” is the story of a young man haunted by a tragic past who escapes from his childhood to mend his ways and make up for all the wrongdoings he had done for the sake of his one true love, Bella. All major and minor roles are yet to be cast. For inquiries, email primerabella@gmail.com.

‘PUROK 7′
Written and Directed by Carlo Obispo
A countryside dramedy that follows 14-year-old Diana and her younger brother who live by themselves after their mother went abroad and their father lived with another woman. Set in a remote purok or village, the film features the light side of country lifestyle as the main characters take advantage of the fun and thrills of the town festival to take hold of their sweet childhood. Numerous lead and supporting roles to be cast. For casting inquiries, please send message to: http://www.facebook.com/carlo.obispo.

‘QUICK CHANGE’
Written and Directed by Eduardo Roy Jr.
No logline or story concept submitted yet. Three transsexual roles and two supporting characters need to be cast. For casting inquiries, email rage_indie_pro@yahoo.com.

‘REKORDER’
Directed by Mikhail Red and written by Mikhail Red and Ian Victoriano
The story of a former 1980s film cameraman who now currently works as a movie pirate operating in present day Manila. He routinely smuggles a digital camcorder into movie theaters in order to illegally record films. One night he records something else. And the footage goes viral. For casting are minor roles only. For inquiries email andy.jalaw@gmail.com.

‘SIYAM’
Written and directed by Joseph Israel Laban
Inspired by the actual story of one of the youngest mothers in Philippine history, “Siyam” follows the story of Krista who at the tender age of 9 got pregnant from the sexual abuse perpetrated by her own father. Her story is complex. Krista refuses to see herself as a victim. With an almost documentary style, “Siyam” follows Krista’s story as she demonstrates a level of resilience uncommon for her age. Her mother, on the other hand, is torn between her love for her child and her love for her husband. Lead and supporting roles are up for grabs. For casting inquiries, email roderick.cabrido@gmail.com or onebigfightproductions@gmail.com.

‘THE DIPLOMAT HOTEL’
Written and Directed by Christopher Ad Castillo
A disgraced reporter seeks redemption by leading his documentary crew to spend one night and tell the story of what really happened at the haunted and infamous The Diplomat Hotel in Baguio City. The production is still looking for actors who can play a boy and a girl, both between 9 to 11 years old, and a 22-year old punk rocker and are all able to work under Baguio’s cold weather. Email ang.alem@gmail.com for casting inquiries.

‘TRANSIT’
Written and directed by Hannah Espia
Produced by Paul Soriano
Moises, a single dad working in Israel, must now accompany his 4-year old son, Joshua, back to the Philippines after the Israeli government declared that children of foreign workers will be deported. The major lead actor’s part is already taken but several supporting characters are yet to be cast. Email ten17p@gmail.com for casting inquiries.

My Take:

Based on the title, casts and log line of the entries I am excited to watch Extra, Porno, Rekorder and The Diplomat Hotel.