Cinemalaya 2019 Full Length Feature Official Entries

To find happiness, a woman breaks free from the confines that society puts on women. Liz, a 45-year-old, single clinical psychologist, finds herself alone and resigned to a solitary life after her parents who she spent her adult life looking after passed away. Through her friends’ advice, Liz begins downsizing her home and meets Josh, a young antique dealer who has has been living on his own for years after losing his father and grandfather, and without much memory of his mother.  With their loneliness drawing them together, Liz and Josh create a special bond.

Cast: Kit Thompson, Mylene Dizon, Marlon Rivera, Jenny Jamora, Hannah Ledesma

Directed By:  Joji V. Alonso

 

When his grandfather falls ill, an orphaned boy and his malfunctioning robot embark on a quest to look for magical grains that he believes can save the old man’s life.   Set in the year 2050 at the State of Bicol, Philippines, Mithi, an  orphaned boy, moves to a farm to live with his estranged grandfather, Mauricio. When the old man falls ill, and as the crops in their farm seem to fall ill with him, the boy embarks on a quest with his malfunctioning robot to search for magical grains that he believes can save the man’s life.

Cast: Zyren dela Cruz, Ricky Davao, Miguel Valdes, Marc Felix, Anna Luna, JM Canlas, Rolando Inocencio, Rap Robles, Victor Medina, Mio Maranan, Chryssta Cordoves, Jermaine Choa Peck

Directed By:  Kim Zuñiga, Sandro Del Rosario

A public hospital serves as a witness to a young boy’s rite of passage when he is stuck to take care of his ailing father. Edward is stuck in a public hospital where he cares for his ailing father. Estranged from his father Mario and his half- brother Renato, Edward makes the hospital ward his own playground, unmindful of the hopelessness that surrounds him. His careless attitude changes when he meets and becomes enamored with Agnes, a young patient in the hospital. Finding refuge and comfort in each other, Edward and Agnes bond and connect.

Cast: Louise Abuel, Ella Cruz, Dido Dela Paz, Elijah Canlas, Manuel Chua  

Directed By: Thop Nazareno

Two friends desperately want to become famous actors but it seems the Universe has a different plan for their lives. Best buddies Ace and Miko are seasoned beauty pageant contenders. They live in a world where showing up in their bikini briefs is the easiest way to achieve fortune and celebrity status. But an ex-lover is threatening to expose them and shock their thousands of their followers in social media.

Cast: Royce Cabrera, Kokoy de Santos, Ricky Davao

Written and Directed By: Eduardo Roy Jr.

A loving but impoverished grandmother of an autistic child tragicomically loses everything and turns into someone society reckons her to be. Iska, a grandmother who wants to take her 10-year-old autistic grandson to a special needs orphanage, is deemed an unfit guardian by the media and the government. Despite dealing with life’s blows one after the other, she never loses her tenacity to survive.  

Cast: Soliman Cruz, Ruby Ruiz, Ricky Rivero, Jonic Magno, Jomari Angeles, RK Bagatsing, Pryle Gura,Angie Castrence, Ana Abad Santos, Jade Lopez, Elora Españo, Cherry Malvar, Sunshine Teodoro, Divine Acuna, Beauty Gonzales

Directed By:  Theodore Boborol

A teenage boy’s life is suddenly upended when a video of him brutally attacking a classmate goes viral    All John Denver Cabungcal, a Grade 8 student, wants is to do well in school and bring home good grades to his family. But one day, a classmate accuses him of stealing an iPad. After his classmate’s persistent allegation, John Denver snaps and assaults his accuser. Unluckily for him, someone records the incident and posts the video on social media. In just five days, this ordinary boy’s life is suddenly overturned. 

Cast: Jansen Magpusao, Meryll Soriano, Glenn Mas, Sammy Rubido Vince Philip Alegre, Jofranz Ambubuyog, Christian Alarcon, Zandro Leo Canlog, Andy Yuarata, Ricky Perez, Renato Sagot, Enrique Sanchez, Bert Briones, Elmer Yuarata, Eldin Labris, Sunshine Teodoro, Luz Venus, Estela Patino, Joerlyn Samulde, Akia Buenaflor, Shan Estoya, Jinalyn Tandoy

Written and Directed By: Arden Rod Condez

 

A pessimistic, uninspired middle-aged artist finds spark with a millennial amateur photographer who leads her on a road of creative and sexual awakening.  Nora Simeon, a 50-year-old, single visual artist, feels passe. As she recaptures her prime, she finds spark with Migs, an aspiring photographer who helps reignite her forgotten passions and elicits bursts of inspiration. As she embarks on a May-December love affair, Nora fails to notice how Migs invades her space and senses and, eventually, her art and body. 

Cast: Sunshine Cruz, Enzo Pineda, Raymond Bagatsing, Bernadette Allyson

Directed By: Danica Sta. Lucia and Leilani Chavez 

A small-town midwife’s preparation for a job interview is disrupted by series of unfortunate turn of events.   Elena, a midwife and breadwinner, aims for better future for her family. On the eve of her application process and interview for a job in Saudi Arabia, Elena finds herself in an unfamiliar territory and dances her way out - the pandanggo way. Pandanggo sa Hukay is about a woman’s journey in balancing light and shadows in her life.

Cast: Iza Calzado, Charlie Dizon, Ybes Bagadiong, Diva Montelaba, Star Orjaliza, Acey Aguilar, Mercedes Cabral, Sarah Pagcaliwagan – Brakensiek


Directed By: Sheryl Rose M. Andes 

 

A man's belief in reality is tested when suspects are accused of a crime they say they did not commit.   The death of Amang Zaldy propels his only son Ian to journey back to his hometown with his wife Erika and step daughter Joy and discover the mystery that lurks behind his father's murder. With the help of the senior inspector, Ian is introduced to three suspects that claim different versions of truths.  Each vantage point leads to various revelations solving questions and uncertainties about his childhood.  

Cast: Christopher Roxas, Ynna Asistio, Menggie Cobarrubias, Dexter Doria, Leon Miguel, Benjie Felipe, Lao Rodriguez, Richard Manabat, Bapbap Reyes   

Directed By: Xian Lim

Phone calls shatter the blissful, simple life of four childhood friends.  Sworn to always look out for each other, Elias and his three best friends start each day with phone calls before heading out to a new adventure. But when Ted, an outsider, takes a vacation in their quaint village, it triggers a change within Elias. Distraught and confused, he seeks comfort among his friends until he gradually accepts the truth about his identity. All seems good and well until that dreaded day — and the news that came with it. 

Cast: Noel Comia Jr., Ricky Oriarte, Dave Justine Francis, Junyka Santarin, JR Custodio, Juancho Triviño, Rich Asuncion, Jay Manalo, Kareen Oriarte, Jennifer Acosta, Ma. Luisa Herrera  

Written and Directed By: Maricel Cariaga

 

Cinemalaya 2019 runs from Aug 2-11 2019 at various venues of the CCP and August 7 to 13, at selected Ayala Cinemas and Vista Malls in Manila, Pampanga, Naga and Legaspi in Bicol, Bacolod, Iloilo and Davao.