MANILA: Eight aspiring film directors who are students from different colleges and universities have been named as finalists of "The Manila Film Festival 2024". Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, in a press briefing during the festival's launch at the City Hall on Monday, said each student would receive a production grant worth PHP150,000 to produce a short film that will run at least 15 to 20 minutes with a theme 'Manila in Me.' From full-length movies that were showcased last year, she said the festival would feature short movies that would enable young filmmakers to express a subject within a limited time frame. The eight finalists are: --'Happy (M)others Day!' by Ronnie Ramos (University of the Philippines Film Institute); --'Bahay, Baboy, Bagyo' by Miko Biong (University of the Philippines Film Institute); --'An Kuan' by Joyce Ramos (Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila); --'Threefor100: o ang tamang pormang paguukay at iba pang mga bagay-bagay, I think!' by Cedrick Labadia (iAcademy) --'Ditas Pinamalas' by Adrian Reno Espino (Adamson University); --'Pinilakang Tabingi' by John Pistol Carmen (Bicol University); --'Una't Huling Sakay' by Vhan Marco Molacruz (Colegio de San Juan de Letran) --'Ballad of a Blind Man' by Charlie Vitug (De La Salle University-College of Saint Benilde) The student directors, meanwhile, thanked the Manila City government for providing a platform to help them showcase and hone their filmmaking skills. On the other hand, Vice Mayor John Marvin 'Yul Servo' Nieto said that based on the request of the mayor and tourism chief Charlie Dungo, the Manila City Council which he heads would pass a measure that would make venues or sites to be used by the filmmakers free of charge. Nieto said the eight entries will be joined by four movies made by featured directors during the festival. A total of 69 entries were screened for the competition. This was initially reduced to 15, with only eight making it to the list of finalists. The festival's premiere night will be on June 4 and will run from June 5 to 11. Ticket prices will be announced later. Source: Philippines News Agency
