As part of the club’s objective to promote local films, the Ateneo Film Circle (AFC) in partnership with Mindanao Film and Televison Development Foundation Inc. (MFTDFI) and Cinematheque Davao, launched a free admission film viewing of the Mindanao Film Festival (MFF) 2017 official entries yesterday at AVR-D.

Dubbed as “Pagpupugay sa Pinilakang Tabing ng Mindanao,” Lalyn Salido, AFC President, expressed that this event intends to provide a variety of local films which showcased different realities here in Mindanao.

Seven local films were featured in the event. These were “Adlaw ni Joy” by Gian Enrique, “Kalinaw” by Virgilind Palarca, “Kwits” by Jamir Mallari, “Mama” by Jarell Serencio, “Si Astri Maka Si Tambullah” by Xeph Suarez, “Si Ray” by Creza Jill Bulacito, and “Diskarne” by April Esma.

After the film viewing, Ivan Tadena, Assistant Festival Director of MFTDFI, the foundation that organizes the annual Mindanao Film Festival, invited the students to submit their entries for the upcoming MFF 2018 and to help gather audiences for the film Fest.

Tadena highlighted how independent films differ from the mainstream films shown by big production studios.

“Usually [topics] sa mga Independent films kay mga nahitabo jud ba. More on sa vision sa director ug mga naexperience niya, bahalag dili siya mukita ug dako pero at least naexpress niya ang iyang gusto mahitabo,” he said.

The festival director stressed the difficulties of making an independent film. He also assured the new filmmakers that they are willing to help them in making their piece.

“To be honest dili ni sya lucrative na field, especially sa mga new filmmakers, medyo gastos sya kay inyohang gamit, tao and all, pero kung passion man gud ninyo, makapangita mo ug ways,” he said.

“So, if you have that [passion] in you, dapat [continue] gyud ninyo na siya and naa man pud mi para mutabang sa inyoha, pwede mi ninyo duolan sa MFTDFI, pati ang Cinematheque kay mutabang pud na sila,” he added.

He also invited the participants to join their workshops on filmmaking on Cinematheque Davao, Palma Gil Street. Archiving films, advance cinematography, and advance music scoring are some of the activities that they will tackle.

First year BS Marketing student, Johnlery Lopez, is a filmmaking enthusiast who joined last year’s Mindanao film Fest under the student Category. He shared his appreciation to the AFC for organizing the event which helped him gain ideas, and style for his next entry to the film Festival.

“Last year kasi, I had my film na nasali sa MFF. Gusto ko i-revisit gud yung mga films na naencounter ko last year para masolidify gud akong vision kung paano nako gihimuan ug attack last year na ngano siya naging wow din for the audience. Opportunity din siya, observing the styles and ideas,” he said.

The MFTDFI is now accepting entries for the Mindanao Film Festival 2018. The deadline for the submission of registration forms and screeners will be on October 1, 2018.

Submissions can be personally sent to their office at 59-B Aala Bldg., F. Inigo St. Davao city or email to [email protected] for online submissions.