McJim holds first Get Reel mobile shorts film fest

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WORLD-CLASS leather brand McJim Classic Leather invites filmmakers— students, amateurs, and professionals—to submit entries to the first-ever Get Reel Mobile Shorts Film Festival 2019, a competition that celebrates the values, aspirations, and vision of the modern Filipino gentleman. 

“Get Reel Mobile Shorts Film Festival 2019 aims to inspire filmmakers to create moving, relatable, and distinctly Filipino narratives that will be screened online,” says festival director and award-winning filmmaker Chris Cahilig. 

In the past two years, McJim has collaborated with Cahilig in creating memorable, viral, and critically acclaimed short films that won the hearts of millions of netizens across the globe. Three of the short films titled “Pitaka,” “Bag,” and “Sinturon” have competed in over 60 prestigious international film festivals, winning four awards so far, including the Best Digital Ad (Branded) in the 2018 Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA). 

This time, McJim is engaging more filmmakers in the creative process. 

Eligible entries will have the chance to win a total of P190,000 worth of cash prizes in eight different categories, including The McJim Prize for the festival’s best short film. 

The eight categories are: The McJim Prize for Best Short Film (P50,000); Get Reel Viral Film Award (P25,000); Best Comedy Short Film (P25,000); Best Action, Thriller, or Horror Short Film (P25,000); Best Drama Short Film (P25,000); Best Inspirational Story (P10,000); Best in Cinematography (P10,000); Best Actor (P10,000); and Best Actress (P10,000). 

The festival is open to all Filipino filmmakers. All entries must be filmed using a mobile device and recorded, submitted, and edited in not less than 720HD format, although using 1080 HD format is highly recommended. The minimum length must be two (2) minutes and the maximum length must be ten (10) minutes, including opening and closing credits. 

Get Reel accepts films of all genres. However, they must use any McJim Classic Leather products (bags, belts, and wallets) as an organic part of the narratives. Submission must be done via email at mcjimtv@gmail.com. 

A panel of judges will determine the finalists and winners through a deliberation. The results are final and irrevocable. No film entry shall be an imitation or plagiarized version of any copyrighted work. Get Reel Mobile Shorts Film Festival and its organizers will not be responsible for any copyright infringement committed by the participants. 

The deadline for submission is on June 30. The finalists will be announced on July 15, and the winners will be awarded on August 30. 

Participating filmmakers must be willing to have their works posted on various social media accounts of McJim Classic Leather and its agency, Insight 360 Consultancy Services, Inc.. 

Ai Ai de las Alas won Best Female Actor at the 7th Queens World Film Festival in New York

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A great news for the Filipino entertainment world, as one of the great artists won an International award for an Indie Film. 

"This is the first time I won in an International Film Festival."

Ai Ai de las Alas, Always A Queen.

Martina Eileen delas Alas, professionally known as Ai-Ai delas Alas,  actress and dubbed as the "Philippine Queen of Comedy"

When people are asked what’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the name Ai Ai Delas Alas, you will be amazed they have the same answer- Comedy Queen and a great actress.

Indeed. There is no question about that. She has traveled far and wide to be where she is now. The Comedy Queen.

Ai Ai has become a household name. People laugh when she laughs. They cry when she cries

Ai Ai has the power to make you roll when she cracks jokes, and cry when she does. She can be both serious and playful. On screen, she can switch roles with ease - from serious to funny, tragic to happy.

Ai Ai delas Alas was recently named Best Female Actor at the conclusion of 7th Queens World Film Festival in Astor, Queens, New York on March 19, 2017 for her dramatic portrayal as an aging prostitute in the indie film "Area," besting Karin Hanczewski, Dorothea Hagena and Amy Redford, daughter of actor Robert Redford.

“Area” 

The film, which stars Ai Ai Delas Alas, set on a whorehouse in Pampanga dubbed an “area” in which aging prostitutes either wither away or limp to finally escape prostitution.

Ai Ai is truly a queen. Countless times she has proven her grit that she is a bombshell wherever and whatever instance she maybe.

Jurors of the Queens World Film Festival were spellbound by her portrayal in the movie. Her character showed the real truth of the state of prostitution in the country and even in other parts parts of the world.

Ai Ai says that she was not optimistic to get an international award because there were 156 great international movies in the competition.

"Area" is not Ai Ai Delas Alas’ first foray into indie filmmaking. She has starred in Nick Olanka’s 2014 film Ronda as a police officer who tries to look for her missing child.

But truly as the old saying goes, "when it rains, it pours." And with Ai Ai, everything is rosy in the home front, in her love life and in her career. (Ai Ai stars in the forthcoming Regal Films Mighty Yaya and will be working in a movie under Star Cinema soon. She is a mainstay in GMA 7's Hay Bahay and Sunday Pinasaya)

But through all these years, her stardom never consumed her totality. She is still the same Martina Eileen family and close friends knew, the same Martina Eileen who just wants to be happy and be surrounded with people she loves.

And everybody knows she works hard for her family, who not only is an inspiration, but the reason for being.

1st Sem wins Best Feature at India filmfest; lead star Lotlot de Leon cited

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If earning Best Picture nomination nod at the 2nd CineFilipino Filmfest was any indication that indie film 1st Sem was bound for something great, it all became clear when it won Best Feature Film at a prestigious international film dubbed the biggest in South Asia.

First-time feature film directors Dexter Hemedez and Allan Ibanez found directorial breakthrough right on their first try after they won the Debut Directors Competition at the All Lights India International Film Festival last September 27. They bested entries from the US, Brazil and other countries.

1st Sem is a family comedy centered on mother and child relationship and themes on schooling, separation anxiety, youth, friendship, education, and ultimately, the sanity and sense of home.

“This victory is overwhelming for us considering that we went to India not expecting anything but just to enjoy being there,” expressed Dexter who informs that the film is a comedy that does not force itself to be and a drama told with just the right light feel to it.

The movie actually delivered a double strike after its lead actress Lotlot de Leon was honored with a Sole Acting Citation for her “exceptional performance." The Indian Filmfest usually gives honorable mention to the next best film but this time around, the esteemed jury decided to give the honor to the Pinay actress. It is her first international acting recognition -- a feat she bagged by acting lead for a comedy just for the first time in her career. 

The triumphant film, with screenwriting icon Ricky Lee as creative consultant, was cited by the All Lights jury as “containing courage and cinematic storytelling.” The jury was composed of Hassan Nazer whose film Utopia was Afghanistan’s Best Foreign Film entry to this year’s Oscars, Pan Nalin who directed the globally distributed Samsara, and Rajesh Touchriver who was nominated best debut director at Cannes. 

In 1st Sem, Lotlot stars as single mom of three Precy Marasigan, a probinsyana who sends his son Maru, played by Darwin Yu, to a Manila university to attend collegiate education. The incoming freshman apparently cannot cope with the transition to dorm life that he quickly returns home. From there, the story, describes by film critic Oggs Cruz as “a tender coming-of-age tale that has its heart in the right place” smoothly takes off.

Allan, who as writer has collaborated with Dexter, ventured to film directing with an eye for what’s honest and courageous. He related, “We crafted a story that will appeal to the youth, especially high school and college students, and to mothers like Precy. We intend to inspire and this win is for us, inspiring.”

Supporting Lotlot is a cast loaded with newbies taking her lead well, led by boyish-looking Darwin who honed his acting chops from Star Magic workshop. He plays the academically brilliant son who heads back home ahead of the batallion that sends him to the big city. That description alone from the duo director solicits laughter without them trying at all.

Allan Paule is no newbie, but him playing “that” cool uncle, makes way for a good balance opposite rising young actors Miguel Bagtas and Sebastian Vargas who are seen here as Maru’s brothers. Others in the cast are tried and tested thespians, including Teri Lacayanga, Maddie Martinez, and Karen Romualdez who had her acting training in Toronto, Canada.

Rounding up the 1st Sem cast are film and TV actor Simon Ibarra, model Marc Paloma, and fresh-faced Sachie Yu who plays Maru’s loyal bestfriend Michelle.

“On my first taping day, I was told by Tita Lotlot to just be natural on camera. She really helped me loosen up,” shared Darwin who played lead role Hercules in a high school production. 

Last July 7, 1st Sem’s DP (Director of Photography) Neil Daza received recognition for his cinematography, given by Cinema World Fest Awards in Ottawa, Canada.

The movie is set to participate at the Nazioarteko Zinetxiki Children and Youth International Film Festival to be held in Bilbao, Spain from November 14 to 27, 2016. The Hemedez-Ibanez tandem is bound to make a wave at the New Directors Section.

The Kids First! Film and Video Festival in New Mexico, USA likewise shortlisted 1st Sem in its selection and raved that “it offers a very realistic depiction of a Philippine single mother dealing with her son’s misadventures."

Part of 1st Sem's quick success is the brilliant camera work termed by the directors as "tuhog scenes" shown without the usual cut intervals --- for as long as five minutes. The background music is anchored on a couple of songs from seminal alternative rock band Siakol titled "Inihaw" and "Sige Na Tuloy Pa." Yes, the movie is very Pinoy and universal. 

(For further information on Ist Sem, check 1st SEM’s official Facebook page.)

Globe pioneers the first online film festival in the Philippines - Globe Independent Film Festival #GIFF

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Globe launched the first online film festival in the Philippines - Globe Independent Film Festival, or GIFF.

Through its film productions arm Globe Studios, Globe's GIFF sets the bar for film festivals by maximizing the online platform to reach a wider audience.

Veering from traditional film fests, and advocating Filipino talent and championing original content, 

GIFF adds a whole new dimension to digital entertainment by bringing the film entries online. This way, more people will be able to access and watch on demand, right on their device.

Open to all amateur filmmakers, GIFF will be accepting entries for any of these 5 genres: Narrative, Documentary, Animated, Experimental, Music Video, and Webisode. 

Film submissions will be evaluated by an esteemed panel of judges from the entertainment industry namely, Antoinette Jadaone, Bianca Gonzalez,Philbert Dy, and Sid Maderazo. 

Dan Horan, Globe Senior Advisor for Consumer Business

Dan Horan, Globe Senior Advisor for Consumer Business said : 

“The launch of Globe Studios gave us a whole new way of bringing wonderful entertainment to our customers. With GIFF, our vision for Globe Studios is realized – to be able to advocate local talent and eventually collaborate with them for content. GIFF allows us to fuel creativity among filmmakers and we look forward to the entries and bring these amazing films closer to every Filipino.” 

In the course of the film fest, the public will be able to watch the shortlisted films on GlobeStudios.ph, the Globe Studios YouTube channel, at the Globe ICONIC store, or at select cinema screenings.

Winners per category are set to bring home up to P200000.00 and will be announced at GIFF’s culminating event in November. Interested groups can learn more about the complete mechanics by visiting www.GlobeStudios.ph. 

As a special showcase, GIFF kicks off the film fest with 5 laudable short films led by 5 esteemed Filipino directors. 

Available on GlobeStudios.ph and the Globe YouTube channel, everyone can watch the following titles:

• How to Find Love directed by Quark Henares
• An Open Door by Paul Soriano
• Trapik by Dan Villegas
• Ang Painting ni Tatay by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo
• Bestfriend by Bb. Joyce Bernal

In addition to the major film categories, GIFF also launches another program: “The Globe 5-Minute Video Challenge”. 

This joint initiative with the Singtel Group and its telco associates comprised of Singtel, Optus, AIS, Airtel, and Telkomsel, the 5-minute video challenge is part of the group’s efforts to drive content innovation across its markets and it will be conducted at two levels – local and regional. 

 Quark Henares, Paul Soriano and Dan Villegas

Epy Quizon hosting the Globe's GIFF launched held at the Globe Icon Store, Bonifacio Global City, September 1, 2016

Globe invites aspiring or experienced local filmmakers to submit 5-minute entries based on the theme “Connecting Lives”. The entries will be judged on criteria such as originality of content, storytelling and cinematography. The top two video entries from the Philippines will win P350000.00 each and will automatically qualify for the regional level of the competition. 

“We are making a big push in digital content as consumers have radically changed the way they consume entertainment. For many of Singtel’s more than 600 million customers, the mobile phone is also the only way for them to access the Internet. A pan-regional competition makes a lot of sense, as the power of content is its ability to transcend geographical and language barriers. Our customers will be able to enjoy access to a rich variety of original content created by the most talented content-makers from the region,” said Mark Chong, CEO, International, Singtel 

The grand finals will be held in Bangkok, Thailand on Nov. 21, with cash prizes of $30000.00 and $15000.00 to be awarded to the grand winner and runner-up, respectively. The regional winners will also get the opportunity to promote their videos on each associate’s mobile and video platforms to customers in the Group’s markets across Asia, Africa and Australia. 

To find out more about The 5-min Video Challenge, visit www.the5minvideo.com.

#FlotsamTheMovie - 1 SURF TOWN. 8 LOVE STORIES. 10 ORIGINAL SONGS; Solenn Heussaff and Rocco Nacino’s rom-com in surf town, La Union

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With charm, wit, and clever twists, not to mention a terrific pair of leads, Flotsam is this year’s maindie love anthology—8 (interweaving) love stories, offering something relatable for everyone. 

A film named after a quaint artist beach hotel in San Juan, La Union, the story unfolds when a work-obsessed overachiever Kai (Solenn Heussaff) arrives in an Elysian Surf Town to run away from a volatile relationship. Kai hides at Flotsam where she meets Tisoy (Rocco Nacino), a very mysterious local bartender who became her summer fling and perfect antidote to restiveness. It contains about a dozen more characters who are in love – that’s however an approximate figure because some of them fall out of love while others double up or change partners. Each interleaving with the other in a grid of foreshadowing and disquiet.

Rocco Nacino

The poetic keynote to the film comes from one of the child actors’ examination about that ‘goddamn love’ the adults are talking about, to which Tisoy explained, “Ang love, walang libro diyan… Kailangan subukan.”

With Flotsam, filmmaker and writer Jay Abello establishes himself as one of the most exciting and distinctive directors around. His new film contains sweeping visual style, while the dialogues deliver a jolt to your consciousness. While most of its mainstream counterparts would go for just gloss and shine, Abello gunned for simple and heartwarming attack. 

Right from the opening credits, Flotsam endears itself with scenic views of La Union – the northern sun, beach, waves, magnificent falls, and of course, chicks in bikinis! The intrepid traveler cum film buffs are granted much more to explore. 

The film also gathers around live music, originally written for the film by Eraserheads guitarist, Surfernando Marcus Adoro, and Flotsam Folk Yeah! Family Band, Mia Sebastian & Kiddo Cosio. The songs were not only sung live, but also recorded real-time in true jamming sessions to reflect the real musicality of the place. Look forward to songs performed by actors, Solenn Heussaff, Marc Abaya, Carla Humphries, Franco Daza, and up & coming, Julia Quisumbing! 

The actors, the soundtrack, and the location have proven to be pretty potent. The product is a love story as real as it gets. 

#FlotsamTheMovie also stars an ensemble of endearing cast including Carla Humphries, Marc Abaya, Mara Lopez, Franco Daza, Zack Varkaris, Jun King Austria, Barbara Miguel, Adrian Cabido, Gerard Garcia, Anja Peter, and introducing, Julia Quisimbing with local actors Jeff Ortega and Lemon. 

1 surftown. 8 love stories. 10 original compositions. Which one is yours? 

Flotsam, a film by Jay Abello is showing November 4, 2015 in cinemas nationwide.

"Puti", with Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Ian Veneracion

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"Puti," the truth is color blind, is an instant classic film entry at the 1st Cinefilipino Festival, directed by Mike Alcazaren starring Jasmine Curtis Smith . Ian Veneracion and Lauren Young.

Young actress Jasmine Curtis-Smith will be featured in new independent film "Puti, as this is her first independent movie since it was shot ahead of "Transit."

Jasmine said that she gave her all for the movie even she's not expecting any award for "Puti." She shared that her role in this film is different from in "Transit. "Here my challenge was becoming an eerie person. Little dialogue but intense ka tumingin and facial reaction."

Synopsis: 

Amir Luna is a skilled artist who makes a living painting forgeries. These are sold in the art black market. But his life changes when he gets into a car accident with his 8- year old son.

Amir survives the accident but suffers a head injury that renders him colour blind. His son is comatose. His world collapses as he struggles with the twin tragedies. While recuperating, strange things start happening to him.

The film features several original paintings by very talented Filipino artists. Most prominent is Geraldine Javier, one of the more successful contemporary artists in the Philippines today. Several of her paintings have fetched record sales in renowned auction houses such as Sotheby’s and Christie’s. Also used in the film were works by CCP 13 Artists awardee Juan Alcazaren III, abstract painter Bernie Pacquing, up and coming young artist Pam Celeridad and respected visual artist Roy Veneracion, father of lead star Ian. 

This fim is directed by Miguel 'Mike' Alcazaren, a freelance television commercial director and has won several Ad Congress awards and a First Prize in the 2007 Carlos Palanca Awards for Literature. 

“Puti” stars with Jasmine Curtis-Smith is blazing a trail away from her famous sister’s shadow. She made an auspicious film debut in this year’s Cinemalaya Best Picture “Transit”, winning best supporting actress. “Puti” is her second outing in an independent film. She balances a full schedule with her television series and studies at the Ateneo de Manila University.

She enjoyed and  gained new friendship with Lauren during the course of the film. Even they don't have any scenes together, Jasmine said they went to all the script readings and pre-production preparations of the film.

Instant Mommy

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“Instant Mommy”, written and directed by Leo Abaya is a movie with mix of drama and comedy with a huge range of emotions - happiness, excitement, anxiety, sacifice, lost, sad, grief, fury. This is a long distance love story with dreams, fairy tale and reality. 

Instant Mommy follows the story of Bechayda, a two-months-pregnant wardrobe assistant for TV commercial production. There’s a rich Japanese bachelor excited to have a child to be the heir of his family. In the fear of losing her Japanese lover and her dreams of a better life, Bechayda embarks on a plan that will get herself out of her predicament. 

Pruduced by Kris Aquino, "Instant Mommy" with main cast Eugene Domingo, Yuki Matsuzaki, Luis Alandy, Rico J. Puno, Shamaine Buencamino, Tuesday Vargas, Nicco Manalo, (cameo appearances of) Angel Aquino, Madeleine Nicolas, Suzette Ranillo, Nico Antonio

"Instant Mommy" is showing now (August 28)  in theaters nationwide. 

This was also an Official Entry to the 9th Cinemalaya Film Festival, New Breed Category

Written and directed by Leo Abaya

Story-concept by Chris Martinez and Jeffrey Jeturian

Producers - Josabeth Alonso, Kris Aquino, Chris Martinez, John Victor Tence, Leo Abaya

Cinematography - Nor Domingo, Dexter de la Peña and Jan Tristan Pandy

Editing - Glenn Ituriaga

Sound - Michael Idioma

Music - Teresa Barrozo

Supervising Producer - Alemberg Ang