Bacolod Film Festival to Showcase Ten Local Short Films

 Ten budding filmmakers from Bacolod City will showcase their short films at the inaugural Bacolod Film Festival, scheduled from September 12 to 15. The screenings will take place at SM City Bacolod and Ayala Malls Capitol Central cinemas.

The festival, themed "Stories with a Smile," will feature a diverse range of short films, each offering unique perspectives on Bacolod City. The 10 selected screenplays were chosen for their ability to represent the city in various ways.

The Bacolod Film Festival, a part of the city's initiative under the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, is receiving PHP2 million in funding support from the Department of Trade and Industry's Lunsod Lunsad Project.

The finalists, Chelsea Tasic, Charlene Mae Tupas, Juan Carlo Miguel Araullo, Georgia Mari Elardo, Reginald Amador Zack Verzosa, Mary Pauline O. Santos, Banjo Hinolan, Willbryan Garcia, Vincent Joseph Entuna, and Oscar Villanueva, each received a production grant of PHP300,000 from the city government.

Here's a brief overview of the films:

•     "A Flower A Day": A young woman finds solace in a rundown café and attracts the attention of a barista.
•     "Aninaw": Three friends embark on a journey to find a place where their deepest desires will come true.
•     "Blind Date": Two social media stars struggle to meet up for a blind date.
•     "Chicken Inasal": A teenager discovers a surprising twist in her life.
•     "Glub": An outcast searches for someone who understands him.
•     "Laragway sa Karon": An old man competes in a photography contest to solve his financial problems.
•     "Manokan Country": A restaurant owner faces off against a real estate developer to save his family's eatery.
•     "Puli Na, Diche Lesly": A successful Filipino-Chinese artist returns home for her father's heart surgery.
•     "Sa Pwesto ni Pistong": A barber navigates a tumultuous era while serving a diverse clientele.
•     "The Mansion": A young artist becomes obsessed with a local legend and experiences a haunting encounter.

The short films, which can be of any genre and have a running time of 15 to 20 minutes, are available for viewing on the Bacolod Film Festival YouTube channel.

The films explore various themes and settings, from a young woman finding solace in a quiet café to a time-traveling adventure in the cyberpunk city of Bacolod. Other stories delve into family ties, artistic inspiration, and social commentary.

The Bacolod Film Festival promises to showcase the talent and creativity of local filmmakers and provide audiences with a memorable cinematic experience.