Three short films by local Dipolognon filmmakers were recently endorsed for selection at this year’s Cinema Rehiyon, the first national film festival that aims to showcase the works of emerging filmmakers outside of Metro Manila.
This was announced by Ernie Rojo, executive director of Indiepolog and lead organizer of the Dipolog Film Festival held annually with the support of Mayor Darel Uy and the City Government of Dipolog.
“Indiepolog is pleased to announce that we have endorsed for selection at this year’s Cinema Rehiyon the top three short films in the recent Dipolog Film Festival 2022,” Rojo said.
The entries include “Tingog,” a film by 17-year old senior high student Rey Anthony Villaverde which got most of the awards in the local festival including Best Film and Best Director; “Live On” by Chaps, winner of second best film and best in sound design; and “Sinag” by Kyle Erika Sayson.
Ruel Joseph Tabada, festival director of the Dipolog Film Festival affirms the importance of providing an opportunity for local filmmakers especially the first-timers to exhibit their films to a wider audience.
Tabada said, “Cinema Rehiyon is a good platform to give our young filmmakers their first steps to get exposed to the wider world of film. Through this program, we hope to tell our local stories to other regional filmmakers and build networks from this experience.”
Tabada likewise confirmed that Dipolog Film Fest winners would, from now on, be endorsed to the Cinema Rehiyon’s “Best of the Regions” programming for selection.
Cinema Rehiyon is a flagship project of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) that provides an opportunity for regional filmmakers – first-timers, veterans, amateurs and professionals to build networks and exhibit their films to a wider audience. This is also their way to promote films that tell stories rooted in the culture of their regions.
(Source: Dipolog City Government Facebook page)
