Hiligaynon full-length film Salum and Mindanaoan short film Champ Green shine bright at the Puregold CinePanalo 2025 awards night

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Hiligaynon full-length film Salum directed by TM Malones and Mindanaoan short film Champ Green were honored the top prizes in their respective categories at the second edition of the wildly successful Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival.

At the awarding ceremony, held on March 19 at The Elements, Eton Centris in Quezon City, Salum took home four Puregold CinePanalo trophies in the full-length category namely: Panalong Pelikula, Panalo sa Production Design, Panalo sa Sound Design, and Panalo sa Musical Scoring as well as a cash prize of PhP 250,000. Meanwhile, Champ Green received a PhP 100,000 cash prize and five trophies in the student shorts category including Panalong Maikling Pelikula, Panalong Pangalawang Aktor for Sol Eugenio, Panalo sa Kwento, Panalo sa Brand Intrusion, and Mowelfund Special Citation.

In addition, Champ Green, being the students shorts winner, also won film equipment including a Black Mist ⅛, a Dream Filter, a Blue Lightstreak Filter from MFP Rentals and Kase Philippines; a Nanlite FC 60B with Merch from MQ Group and Nanlite Philippines; and a Hollyland Lark C1 Wireless Microphone from Sieztech Enterprize and Hollyland Tech Philippines. Champ Green also won an extra PHP25,000 for winning the Panalo sa Brand Intrusion, as did fellow short film G! and full-length film Journeyman who won the same award; as well as Checkmate and Taympers, who similarly tied for Pinakapanalong Promosyon ng Pelikula. Each of these sponsors gladly awarded Champ Green with the equipment in order to support the development of young Filipino filmmakers such as Champ Green director Clyde Cuizon Gamale.

JP Habac was named Panalong Direktor (Best Director) for his work on Olsen’s Day at Puregold CinePanalo 2025.

The Panalong Aktor (Best Actor) for the full-length category was awarded to Khalil Ramos (Olsen’s Day). He shares this award with JP Larroder (Tigkiliwi).

The Mowelfund Special Citation was awarded to Olsen’s Day in the full-length category.

Talented actress Alexa Ilacad, who stars in Co-Love, at the Puregold CinePanalo 2025.

Tigkiliwi takes home the Panalong Karangalan mula sa Hurado for the full-length category. 

Director Tara Illenberger proudly receives the Panalong Karangalan Mula sa Hurado (Jury Prize) for Tigkiliwi at Puregold CinePanalo 2025.

In the full-length category, another Hiligaynon film Tigkiliwi nabbed seven trophies including Panalong Karangalan Mula sa Hurado and Panalo sa Kwento for its writer-director Tara Illenberger. The charming film about a community of misfits swept the acting awards categories including Panalong Aktres for Ruby Ruiz, and Panalong Pangalawang Aktor for Jeffrey Jiruma. 

In an interesting turn of events, two ties were declared during the awards night. The Panalong Aktor trophy was shared between JP Larroder as Tigkiliwi’s Tata, and Khalil Ramos as the titular Olsen in Olsen’s Day while both Journeyman and Olsen’s Day were declared the winners of the Panalo sa Cinematography category. Meanwhile, JP Habac of Olsen’s Day bagged the Panalong Direktor award.

Journeyman by the sibling-tandem of Christian Paolo and Dominic Lat took home a total of six trophies namely: Panalo Sa International Jury, Panalo sa Cinematography (tie with Olsen’s Day), Panalo sa Film Poster, the MTRCB Special Award for Responsableng Paglikha, Panalo sa Brand Intrusion, and the Puregold Always Panalo Film which it shared with the romantic-comedy film Fleeting by Catsi Catalan.

For the student shorts, Uwian, directed by Panalong Direktor winner Vhan Marco Molacruz of Colegio de San Juan de Letran crushed the competition, winning five different awards including Panalong Direktor, Panalo sa Musical Scoring, Panalo sa Production Design, Panalong Aktres for Geraldine Villamil, and Panalong Pangalawang Aktres for Uzziel Delamide.

Other notable entries to the student shorts category included Sean Rafael Verdejo’s absurdist dramedy Dela Cruz, Juan P., which took home Panalong Karangalan Mula sa Hurado; as well as Ira Corinne Esguerra’s coming-of-age sibling story SamPie, which took home the Puregold Always Panalo Film award.

Each award was deliberated upon by an impressive lineup of qualified judges, including Festival Director Christopher Cahilig, Festival Chair Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, and Republic Creative Creations, Inc. representative Sonny Bautista, each of whom sat on both the student shorts and full-length jury panels. Joining them on the students shorts panel were directors Emmanuel Dela Cruz and Victor Villanueva, as well as film critic Lito Zulueta. The full-length jury panel, on the other hand, consisted of Cahilig, Hayagan-Piedad, and Bautista, as well as directors Jeffrey Jeturian and Mae Cruz-Alviar, writer and producer Moira Lang, and Estonian filmmaker Tiina Lokk, the festival director of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.

This year’s CinePanalo saw increased grants for all entries, with PHP 3,000,000 grants for full-length entries, and P150,000 grants for student shorts. The festival was also supported in large part by its partner organizations ​​Terminal Six Post, CMB Film Services Inc., Gateway Cineplex 18, MFP Rentals, the MTRCB,  and the Mowelfund Film Institute.

Puregold Senior Marketing Manager and Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival Chair Ivy Hayagan-Piedad and Festival Director Christopher Cahilig

“The Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival will always be fueled by a deep love for the art of cinema, and an even deeper ambition to show what Philippine talent and passion has to offer,” said Festival Chair Ivy Hayagan-Piedad. “With the CinePanalo having reached a successful second edition, the possibilities are now endless. We can’t wait for all the wonderful films yet to grace the Puregold CinePanalo in all the years to come.”

Salum, Champ Green, and all the other full-length and student short films of the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 2025 will continue to screen exclusively at the Gateway Cineplex 18, Cubao, Quezon City until the closing of the festival on March 25. Regular tickets are P250, with discounts available for students, PWDs, seniors, Tindahan ni Aling Puring, and Perks Card members for P200. Meanwhile, festival passes for the entire experience cost P2,000, granting holders entrance to all official movie entries.

Young filmmakers pose with Festival Director and award-winning filmmaker, Chris Cahilig.

 

FULL LIST OF WINNERS:

Pinakapanalong Pelikula

Full-Length: Salum (TM Malones)

Student Shorts: Champ Green (Clyde Cuizon Gamale)

 

Puregold Always Panalo Film

Full-Length: Journeyman (Christian Paolo Lat & Dominic Lat), Fleeting (Catsi Catalan)

Student Shorts: Sampie, (Ira Corinne Esquerra Malit)

 

Panalong Direktor

Full-Length: JP Habac, Olsen’s Day

Student Shorts: Vhan Marco B. Molacruz, Uwian

 

Panalong Aktres

Full-Length: Ruby Ruiz as Nay Pansay, Tigkiliwi

Student Shorts: Geraldine Villamil as Remy, Uwian

 

Panalong Aktor

Full-Length:

Khalil Ramos as Olsen, Olsen’s Day

JP Larroder as Tata, Tigkiliwi

Student Shorts: 

Lucas Martin as Sam, SamPie

Jasper John as Juan Dela Cruz, Dela Cruz, Juan P.

 

Panalong Karangalan Mula sa Mga Hurado

Full-Length: Tigkiliwi (Tara Illenberger)

Student Shorts: Dela Cruz, Juan P. (Sean Rafael A. Verdejo)

 

Panalo Sa Mga Manonood

Full-Length: Co-Love (Jill Singson Urdaneta)

Student Shorts: Sisenta! (Mae Malaya)

 

Panalong Pangalawang Aktres

Full-Length: Gabby Padilla as Marlin, Tigkiliwi

Student Shorts: Uzziel Delamide as Imang, Uwian

 

Panalong Pangalawang Aktor

Full-Length: Jeffrey Jiruma as Pol, Tigkiliwi

Student Shorts: Sol Eugenio as Tekbong, Champ Green

 

Panalong Ensemble

Full-Length: Tigkiliwi (Tara Illenberger)

Student Shorts: Sine-Sine (Roniño Dolim)

 

Panalong Kwento

Full-Length: Tara Illenberger, Tigkiliwi

Student Shorts: Clyde Cuizon Gamale, Champ Green

 

Panalo sa Cinematography

Full-Length: 

Dominic Lat, Journeyman

Kara Moreno, Olsen’s Day

Student Shorts: Lance Lascano, Dan, En Pointe

 

Panalo sa Production Design

Full-Length: Kyle Fermindoza, Salum

Student Shorts: Andrea Jayne Perang, Uwian

 

Panalo sa Musical Scoring

Full-Length: Armor Rapista, Salum

Student Shorts: Len Calvo, Uwian

 

Panalo sa Editing

Full-Length: Vanessa Ubas de Leon, Co-Love

Student Shorts: Jose Andy Sales, G!

 

Panalo sa Sound Design

Full-Length: Fatima Nerikka Salim and Immanuel Verona, Salum

Student Shorts: Elian Idioma, Dela Cruz, Juan P.

 

Panalong Awitin

Full-Length: “DI KO PINILI” by Kiko Salazar, performed by KD Estrada, Co-Love

Student Shorts: “Suga, Camera, Saad” by Jonathan Rey Sartorio and Lloyd Martin Villacortes Arce, performed by Jonathan Rey “ROTT” Sartorio, Sine-Sine

 

Panalo sa Brand Intrusion

Full-Length: Journeyman (555 Sardines and Lucky Me!)

Student Shorts: Champ Green (Bear Brand), G! (Chuckie)

 

Panalo sa Film Poster

Full-Length: Journeyman by Christian Paolo Lat and Dominic Lat

Student Shorts: Checkmate by Alexie Nicole Pardo

 

Pinakapanalong Promosyon ng Pelikula

Student Shorts:

Checkmate by Alexie Nicole Pardo

Taympers by Naiah Nicole Mendoza

 

Responsableng Paglikha

Full-Length: Journeyman by Christian Paolo Lat and Dominic Lat

Student Shorts:

1. Dan, En Pointe by Adelbert Abrigonda
2. Sine-Sine by Roniño Dolim
3. 1… 2… Strike!!! by Kenneth Flores

 

Mowelfund Special Citation

Full-Length: Olsen’s Day

Student Shorts: Champ Green

 

Panalo sa International Jury

Journeyman by Christian Paolo Lat and Dominic Lat

vivo supports Filipino filmmaker’s dream to inspire climate action with V40

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Award-winning independent Filipino filmmaker Joseph Abello has turned to the vivo V40 to bring his climate advocacy to life in a compelling new short film for Oscar M. Lopez Foundation’s Mga Kwento ng Klima (MKK) Short Films 2024. The annual competition calls on filmmakers to portray the unique Filipino experience of climate change and highlight the urgent need for climate action.

Abello, who directed the award-winning films What Home Feels Like and Double Twisting Double Back, produced Water for Three Sisters with the V40 to capture the reality of water interruptions in his hometown of Cainta, Rizal. His film aims to inspire viewers to reflect on climate-driven challenges affecting communities across the Philippines.

“As a filmmaker, very powerful to be a filmmaker because people watch us, we can influence people through our content. So, it’s really time to do something more than just fun or more than just content. Do something na may laman, do something that can really influence people for the good,” Abello shared.

A loyal vivo user, Abello recently upgraded from the vivo V21 to the V40, specifically for this project. The vivo V40, developed in partnership with the renowned German optics company ZEISS, boasts three 50MP cameras that deliver professional-grade image quality, a perfect match for Abello’s creative vision.

“Noong nalaman ko na yung vivo V40 is co-engineered by ZEISS, eh yun talaga, it’s the perfect phone na magagamit ko dito sa pag-shoot ng aking short film. So, when deciding ano bang mobile phone yung gagamitin ko to shoot this short film, I knew talaga I had to go with vivo. Like I said, I really trust vivo as a brand,” he explained.

https://www.facebook.com/vivo.philippines/videos/1225435032058546 

https://www.tiktok.com/@vivo_philippines/video/7434382129909239057?lang=en]

Abello shot his film using the vivo V40’s 4K video resolution at 30 frames per second, achieving cinematic quality comparable to high-end cameras. “For me, using vivo V40 allows me to create a film not just in a budget-friendly way but at the same time, produce a film na yung quality niya parang shoot mo talaga using an expensive filmmaking camera,” he said.

Expressing his gratitude to vivo Philippines, Abello added, “Thank you so much vivo Philippines for helping me create my short film using your vivo V40, co-engineered by ZEISS. It really helped me produce a quality-looking short film."

While the premiere date for the 2024 MKK Short Films is yet to be announced, the vivo V40 is now available for purchase at vivo stores nationwide and online via the vivo website, Shopee, and Lazada. Get yours today for as low as Php 26,999 and experience professional filmmaking right in your hands.

First time filmmakers talk about their Puregold CinePanalo experience

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There is little denying just how groundbreaking the recently concluded Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival was. The festival, held last March 15-19 at Gateway Cineplex 18, is a celebration of firsts. Not only does it mark the supermarket chain’s first foray into bringing original films to the silver screen, but it marks the debut pieces of six first-time filmmakers from all across the country.

During the Puregold CinePanalo Awards Night, the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund) generously awarded a number of deserving filmmakers scholarships to continue pursuing their artistic goals.

The six debuting filmmakers–Rafaela Abucejo of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Dizelle C. Masilungan of the University of Sto. Tomas, Joshua Andrey A. Doce of Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology, Joanah Pearl Demonteverde of the University of the Philippines Visayas, Daniel Gil of Ateneo de Davao, and Jenievive Adame–bravely answered the call to let Puregold help bring their stories to life, and competed against each other as well as 19 other selections in the student short film category. Yet, for these new directors, the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to release their stories into the world is a win in itself.

In addition to being debut films, the films were remarkable for bagging a number of prizes at the CinePanalo Film Festival. Rafaela Abucejo's film entitled "Saan Ako Pinaglihi?" won the Panalo sa mga Manonood Award (Audience Choice); Dizelle Masilungan, one of the recipients of the Mowelfund production scholarship, won Panalong Direktor, Panalo sa Cinematography, 3rd place for MTRCB's Responsableng Paglikha Award, and also saw one of his actors winning the Panalong Pangalawang Aktor Award. Likewise, Joshua Doce and Daniel Gil both received production scholarships from Mowelfund; while Jenievive Adame, who was also a recipient of the Mowelfund production scholarship, bagged a number of awards, including Panalong Ensemble, Panalo sa Musical Scoring, Always Panalo Film (brand choice), and 1st place for MTRCB's Responsableng Paglikha Award.

 Rafaela Abucejo shows off their Panalo sa mga Manonood Award. Abucejo directed “Saan Ako Pinaglihi?”, a coming-of-age story about the child of two lesbian parents.

Jenievive Adame’s story “Smokey Journey” bagged plenty of trophies, including the Always Panalo Film Award.

For two of the directors from the province–Joshua Doce from Bicol (“I am Mutya and I Thank You!”) and Joanah Demonteverde from Iloilo (“Kang Pagpuli Ko”)--getting to represent their province on a big stage was a massive motivating factor in completing their films. Doce, who speaks Bikolano, and Demonteverde, who speaks Hiligaynon and Kinaray-a, both believe in the power of their movies to represent the languages and cultures they love, especially amid the swath of mostly Tagalog and English-centric entries.

“As a kid who grew up in a town whose language is a hybrid of Kinaray-a and Hiligaynon, language has been a great element to me in representing my province through filmmaking, especially in Puregold’s CinePanalo Film Festival,” says Demonteverde, who also warns viewers for the possible waterworks that may ensue from her film.

“In our country, Filipino/Tagalog ang most dominant medium na ginagamit sa films and malimit tayong makakita o makarinig ng regional dialects/language sa mga pelikula,” says Doce, “I am so proud of our language and as a filmmaker, through our dialect that I used in my films, you get to see how ‘oragon’ (great) the Bicolanos are.”

Dizelle Masilungan was one of the ceremony’s breakout stars, winning Best Director for his very first film production, “Kung Nag-aatubili.”

Meanwhile, two of the six new filmmakers–Dizelle Masilungan (“Kung Nag-aatubili”) and Rafaela Abucejo (“Saan Ako Pinaglihi?”)--released LGBT-themed short films, drawing from their personal experiences with the daily struggle that queer Filipinos face, and the joy that comes from queer love.

For Masilungan, it was crucial for him to use his very first filmmaking experience to create the BL piece of his dreams, exclaiming that he has wanted to create a BL piece since “time immemorial,” as it was queer films and literature that gave him the inspiration to carry on.

Meanwhile for Abucejo, it was important to display the flipside of the queer experience, by also displaying the real pain that queer people go through, and the strength that can come out of those experiences.

“They were not good experiences-–they were a struggle,” said Abucejo. “But at least I was able to share my narrative through the film and hopefully inspire those who are currently going through the same things.”

In their speech, Abucejo stated that they hope their win in the Audience Choice Award shows filmmakers and film producers everywhere that audiences do choose queer stories, saying, “Yung kwento po ng ‘Saan ako Pinaglihi?’ is proof na meron pong clamor for queer stories, queer narratives at masasabi ko pong galing po talaga siya sa puso namin. Patuloy nating suportahan ang kwento ng mga bakla, tomboy, and everyone in between the spectrum.”

Abucejo and Masilungan both won big for their queer films, with Masilungan bagging Best Director. On his win, the filmmaker said, “Masaya, na di ko akalain, na wala po akong masabi. Sabi ko nga yung mapalabas lang pelikula namin sa Gateway Cineplex 18 sobrang saya na ako, na makita yung mga taong pumupunta sa sinehan para panoorin yung kwentong gusto namin ikwento at pinaghirapan namin. Pero yung makatanggap ng award bilang Best Director, para sakin isang malaking karangalan, really humbled and honored. Pero I really share this award with all the cast and crew ng Familea Films, kay Sir Nico at Lucca Creatives, and January Skies.”

Finally, the last two new directors–Daniel Gil (“Distansya”) and Jenievive Adame (“Smokey Journey”)--sought to use the platform to create more family-oriented and wholesome films that everyone can come to enjoy and reflect on the love that only family can offer.

In the words of Adame, viewers can expect her film to wrap the seemingly simple theme of family with layers of both hidden meaning and earnest sincerity.

“Since the festival itself is only for family-oriented, inspiring, and wholesome film concepts,” says Adame, “what you can expect from my film is the deep bond, love, and unity within a typical Filipino family na hindi namin pinakita literal pero mararamdaman mo.”

As for Gil, whose story was inspired by his father teaching him how to drive, he wanted to use his film as a vehicle for recognizing all the solo parent fathers who show up to raise their kids right, even when said fathers aren’t always understood from the start.

“I hope people will find this film nostalgic,” said Gil. “Especially to the kids who grew up with parents who had a hard time searching for their parenting skills and finding it as they get to know their children more as their family grows older.”

Ronjay-C Mendiola and his team won big at the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival, racking up awards including Pinakapanalong Maikling Pelikula, for his film “Last Shift,” about two queer lovers forced to choose between their relationship and their diverging paths in life.

In addition to the debut filmmakers, the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival’s short film category also saw two big winners in neophyte directors Ronjay-C Mendiola and Kent Michael Cadungog. Mendiola nabbed the Pinakapanalong Maikling Pelikula Award (Best Short Film) for his film “Last Shift,” a story about two working-class queer lovers at a crossroads in their relationship, as one seeks to find better pastures. Cadungog, on the other hand, won the Special Jury Prize Award for “Text Find DAD and Send to 2366,” a tale about an uncharismatic teenage girl who must convince a voice to cast her in a reality TV show, in order to find her father.

On his historic win, Mendiola says the feeling still hasn’t sunk in.

“Sabi nga namin sa prod, pumasok kami ng awards night nang walang expectations pero sobra-sobra pa ang ibinigay sa amin,” said Mendiola. “Ang pinaka importante talaga sa amin nung mag-umpisa ang film festival ay hindi yung awards kundi ang mabitbit namin ang panawagan ng mga workers at maexpose ang kanilang kalagayan."

 Kent Cadungog won the Special Jury Prize for “Text Find Dad and Send to 2366,” a story about a teenager using reality TV to find her lost father.

Meanwhile, Cadungog is grateful to Puregold for allowing him to fully express his art which, according to him, has often been misunderstood.

"I got called “baliw” so many times for creating the kind of cinema I make, so I’m very grateful to Puregold for giving this niche comedy film a platform. Maraming salamat din sa jury sa pagkilala,” said Cadungog, who also takes pride in being one of the short films set in the province, using a regional language. “Yung pagrecognize sa isang munting Bisaya film galing sa Negros Oriental ay isa ring malaking panalo, in and of itself — true to the festival’s vision."

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French Film Festival, one of the highlighted events of the 75th anniversary of France-Philippines diplomatic relations

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Highly-acclaimed French actress Isabelle Huppert and popular French actor Lucas Bravo were in town for the festival

As part of the celebration of the 75th anniversary of France-Philippines diplomatic relations, the French Film Festival brings to Manila a fresh selection of French and Filipino films at Greenbelt 3 Cinemas from October 22 to 30, 2022. The curated movies are composed of current releases and new ones that came out in the last two years.

Award-winning and accomplished French actress Isabelle Huppert and French actor Lucas Bravo who became popular for his portrayal of Gabriel in the hit Netflix series Emily in Paris engaged moviegoers, fans, and the media in a brief interview about their movies that were screened for the festival. 

Huppert and Bravo are part of the cast of Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris by Anthony Fabian. About Joan by Laurent Larivière and Promises by Thomas Kruithof are the two most recent films starring Huppert. She is also the main actress in Brillante Mendoza’s Captive.

Filipinos and the French share a passion for moving images. Soon after the Lumière brothers invented cinema, Pathé projectors found their way to the Philippine islands and soon enough Filipinos were making films already. The French Film Festival has been bringing some of the most critically acclaimed and crowd pleasers to the discerning Filipino audience in search of movies that look into social issues, family values, and beautiful scenery that are close to the heart.

Opening the festival, Eiffel by Director Martin Bourboulon recounts the building of the Eiffel Tower inspired by a love story. The selection includes Lost Illusions by Xavier Gianolli, Farewell Mr. Haffmann by Fred Cavayé, set in Paris during World War 2, Notre Dame on Fire by Jean-Jacques Anneaud about the incident that damaged another historical monument in the center of Paris, Him by Guillaume Canet on the life of a music composer, Paris Memories, remembering Paris under terrorist attacks, a sequel to the popular French agent OSS 117: From Africa with Love. Rise by Cédric Klapisch tells an inspiring story about a ballet dancer.

The French Film Festival is also the event that brings together France and the Philippines with the screening of Filipino films that have gained recognition by the French audience. Like On the Job by Erik Matti which was shown in the Director’s Fortnight in Cannes. OTJ Missing 8 will be screening also in the festival.

In the height of the pandemic, Director Sigrid Bernardo flew to Paris with actors and crew to shoot Walang Kaparis, produced by Piolo Pascual. While the film is still in post-production, it paves the way toward co-productions between France and the Philippines.

The Film Development Council of the Philippines under the Chairmanship of Tirso Cruz III will strive to work toward the signing of a co-production agreement between France and the Philippines that will open more opportunities for collaboration between filmmakers and more French and Filipino movies in the near future.

Catch all the films here https://bit.ly/FrenchFilmFest25

The 25th French Film Festival in the Philippines is organized by the Embassy of France to the Philippines, Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines, Philippine Embassy in France, Alliance française de Manille, INSTITUT FRANÇAIS, Film Development Council of the Philippines, Ayala Malls Cinemas, Greenbelt, QCinema, San Miguel Corporation, Olympia Violago Power, Raffles Makati, VPF Creative Marketing Communications, Reality MM Studios, PLDT, Smart Communications, Inc., SSI Group, Inc., Lacoste, Filmloft OPC, and RSVP FILM Studios, Phils.

Cahilig’s award-winning short films now streaming internationally on CinemaWorld

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The multi-talented Chris Cahilig wears many hats—producer, director, public relations entrepreneur, talent manager, published poet, and political adviser.

As president of Insight 360, Cahilig runs one of the most influential public relations, marketing, and social media consultancy firms in the Philippines. And through his agency’s subsidiary, Insight 360 Films, Cahilig has crafted full-length movies and short films, made riveting for their plots, characters, and purpose.

Chris Cahilig

The road to Cahilig’s personal nirvana, however, is paved by a string of award-worthy short films, earning for him the title, “King of Branded Shorts”. This close to home as Cahilig’s short films have reaped honors at local and international film festivals.

And now CinemaWorld is showing three of Cahilig’s select short films across Asia various traditional pay tv and streaming platforms.

A multimedia entertainment company incorporated and headquartered in Singapore, CinemaWorld is an international movie service showcasing award-winning movies, box office hits, and critics' favorites from around the world—the "first and only pan-Asian movie service to do so.” Launched in 2012, CinemaWorld has rapidly gained audiences in territories that include Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines.

Believing in the “articulating, emotive, and transcendent power of films to touch people’s hearts,” CinemaWorld gives immense value to films, features, and shorts—and their filmmakers and audience. This led to the launch of CinemaSHORT, a service expansion that aims at the trendier and younger—including the young minded—audience. As a platform, CinemaSHORT showcases quality short films from young and independent Asian filmmakers.

CinemaWorld describes the short film industry in Asia as a “largely untapped but incredibly dynamic industry.” And to Cahilig’s acclaim, CinemaWorld found not just one, but three gems in its archives: Cahilig's branded shorts titled ‘Pitaka’, ‘The Belt’, and ‘The Bully’.

Featured in CinemaWorld is Chris Cahilig’s most viewed short film on YouTube so far, “Sinturon” or “The Belt”, with 44.5 million views, which tells a daring and fun story focused on the theme of marital fidelity.

According to CinemaWorld, Filipino director Chris Cahilig’s award-winning works were chosen to be part of CinemaSHORT as these well-produced short films show a deeper meaning behind them. As the movie service points out, “The underlying themes of brotherhood, loyalty, and the dangers of bullying are well woven into the screenplay, making Cahilig’s stories highly relatable.”

CinemaWorld likewise asserts that short films are vital tools in telling the stories of ordinary people. “Connecting audiences from different parts of the world to beautiful films is our mission, and CinemaSHORT provides a unique curation of short films that often reflect untold stories from various regions."

Cahilig’s “The Bully” is a short film that dared to discuss the socially-relevant dangers of bullying, and the harm it can cause to the victims and the perpetrators–also now on the international platform CinemaWorld.

Cahilig shares his excitement on the opportunity to be part of all this. “I believe short films have the capacity to make indelible marks in the industry. This was affirmed when my short films went viral locally and earned international recognition. “And now CinemaShort’s streaming of ‘Pitaka’, ‘The Belt’, and ‘The Bully’ once more attests to how my short films were remarkably written, shot, and produced.”

“Pitaka” or “The Wallet” is one of Cahilig’s most memorable and award-winning short films, narrating the tale relatable to many Filipinos–a hardworking brother determined to work and provide for his younger brother, and how the latter strived to thank the former for his perseverance.

To date, Cahilig is one of the most sought-after Filipino directors for his seamless blend of branding and well-told stories. His short films have succeeded not only in promoting brands but also in drawing millions of organic views.

For instance, “Pitaka” (The Wallet) tells the story of a hardworking brother who is determined to put his younger brother through school. Competing in over 15 international film festivals across the globe, “Pitaka” has garnered over 40 million views on various social media platforms, including Facebook.

Known Filipino film critic Tito Valiente lauded the film for its exquisitely crafted storytelling. In his film review, he said, “The whole drama works and well-thought-out advertising can be engaging.”

A must-watch for high-school students, “Pitaka” uses Filipino poetry to add depth to its story. This, and the film’s excellent cinematography, handed “Pitaka” the following awards: Best Digital Ad Category at the 40th Catholic Mass Media Awards and Best Illustrated Poem in the 2018 Wales International Film Festival. “Pitaka” also made it to international film festival screenings in the US and Italy.

Featuring a more daring and fun storyline, “Sinturon” (The Belt), Cahilig’s most viewed and most viral branded short film, now has 44.5 million organic views on YouTube. Its theme of marital fidelity also created a loud buzz on social media. Netizens mentioned the effective use of the belt as a metaphor, and cited the plot twist as a noteworthy storytelling device.

Finally, “The Bully,” Cahilig’s socially relevant and heart-rending short film, tells the story of an alumnus returning to his alma mater to talk about bullying and its consequences, only to evoke a scene that haunts him to this day.

“The Bully” has been tagged as a must-see for students and their parents as it tackles the age-old issue of bullying and its deleterious effects on mental health.

All told, CinemaWorld affirms the exceptional qualities of these short films. "Their relatability, down-to-earth and simple narratives, combined with the talent of the cast, crew, and director make them the right fit for CinemaSHORT. We are happy to have Director Cahilig’s works in our platform."

For his part, Cahilig vows to continue partnering with brands to bring meaningful narratives to life, especially through short films.

“Pitaka,” “Sinturon,” and “The Bully” are now available to watch in various territories in Asia through CinemaWorld.

Tilda Appleseed animation wins Asian Television Awards 2017 for Best Preschool Program

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Tilda Apple Seed animation

Hamburg-based WunderWerk GmbH along with Manila’s ASI Studios Inc. & Singapore’s August Media Holdings have announced that their animated pre-school production Tilda Appleseed has won the Asian Television Awards 2017 in the BEST PRE-SCHOOL SHOW category. 

Speaking about the win, Gisela Schaefer, Managing Director at WunderWerk said, “We are delighted to have received the award. This recognizes the true beauty of the characters and the simple but key values that this show will deliver to it pre-school audiences.”

.Jackeline Chua Managing Partner of ASI Animation Studio Inc and Jyotirmoy Saha Founder of August Media Holdings

For her part, Jackeline Chua, Managing Partner at ASI Studios Inc. said, “The show presented for the studio, a particularly unique challenge in its art style. Once again our team demonstrated its versatility by not only taking on that challenge but also creating award winning works.”

The recently completed Tilda Appleseed is based on Andreas Schmachtl’s book series of the same name. The series follows the adventures of a spirited mouse with a big heart and an even bigger imagination – Tilda. The series is filled with many wonderful characters who model friendship in marvelous ways. This show about friendship and problem solving is designed for pre-schoolers and features an art style that completely resembles water colored books. The first season of the show was delivered in 2017 and a second season of 52 episodes is currently in the works.

WunderWerk had developed the book series into a TV series under license from German broadcaster, MDR/SWR for KiKA and is also the lead producer of the series. The series is animated at ASI Studios and co-produced by Synergy88 and August Media Holdings. 

For August Media Holdings, this is the 6th nomination in the last 3 years, 4 of which have been for shows produced in partnership with ASI Studios Inc. Founder of August Media Holdings (who is also a partner at ASI Studios), Jyotirmoy Saha said, “It’s wonderful to hit a home run year after year. I am proud of my teams at ASI and August Media and the association between the two companies.”

Tilda Appleseed is currently on air on MDR/SWR in Germany, Good TV in Taiwan and is available on the recently launched Over-the-top platform Tapow™ media streaming and download service. The show is soon to air on multiple other networks in various parts of the world starting the early half of 2018.

ABOUT WUNDERWERK

WunderWerk is a German production animation company focused on creating live action and animation features that deliver a powerful message. The company, based in Unterföhring (near Munich) and Hamburg, is passionate about stories in the field of children’s programming and family entertainment. 

They handle all areas of film production and distribute their titles internationally under the label WunderBox by Beta Film. Contact person: Gisela Schaefer (Gisela.schaefer@wunder-werk.de)

ABOUT ASI STUDIOS INC.

ASI Studios, Inc. is a full-service animation studio based in Singapore. The studio is a collaborative effort between Manila-based Synergy88 group and Singapore’s August Media Holdings. ASI Studies holds an office in Quezon City, Philippines and is focused on generating high-quality media projects. Its roster boasts of 130 highly trained artists with a collective experience in 2D traditional, Digital Cut Out, and paperless animation.

ASI is currently in the middle of the production of a new domestic TV series that is slated for release next year. Contact person: Jackeline Chua (jackie.chua@asi.media)

ABOUT AUGUST MEDIA HOLDINGS.

August Media Holders creates and manages intellectual properties for the youth and children. Along with its rights management arm August Rights, the company has made a mark with its properties which are on air in more than 100 countries. Contact Person: Jyotirmoy Saha (moy@augustmh.com)