Puregold CinePanalo celebrates filmmaking diversity, awards grants to emerging directors
The Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival has raised the stakes by offering six sought-after film grants to participating filmmakers, surpassing its initial commitment of five slots for the full-length film category. Following a meticulous evaluation of the standout shortlisted entries, six finalists, comprising four seasoned and two emerging directors, are set to advance to the final stage of the competition, focusing on film production.
Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival proudly announces the six outstanding directors who will receive the coveted film grant, after initially promising only five slots for the full-length category. Films are set to premiere at the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival from March 15 to 17, 2024, at the Gateway Cinemas in Cubao.
Vincent Co, President of Puregold, expressed his enthusiasm about the development, stating, “The vision for Puregold’s CinePanalo Festival is to establish it as a platform for local filmmakers to showcase their talent. I am particularly delighted to see two up-and-coming directors earning well-deserved spots in the roster, emphasizing the panalo spirit and inclusivity of this competition.”
Bacolod-based director Kurt Soberano, a relative newcomer to the industry, secured a place on the prestigious list of finalists with his entry, “Under a Piaya Moon.” Soberano, known for his roles as an actor, director, and writer, has previously crafted notable short films such as “Golden Bells” (2022), “Sa Balay ni Papang” (2021), and “Azucar” (2019).
Another recipient of a coveted grant is the award-winning filmmaker, writer, and actress Sigrid Bernardo, presenting “Pushcart Tales.” Renowned for her exceptional work in acclaimed films like “Anita’s Last Cha-Cha” (2013), “Kita Kita” (2017), and “UnTrue” (2019), Bernardo has garnered awards and nominations from various local and international film festivals.
Raynier Brizuela, an accomplished director and actor known for contributions to films such as “Video City: Be Kind, Please Rewind” (2023), “Mang Jose” (2021), and “Asuang” (2018), earned a finalist spot in the official full-length film category with the entry “Boys at the Back.”
Joel Ferrer, recognized for his work as an actor, director, and writer with an extensive portfolio of 15 films and series, secured a film grant for his entry, “Road to Happy.”
Carlo Obispo, a distinguished writer, director, and producer known for notable films like “Purok 7” (2013), “The Baseball Player” (2022), and “Gasping for Air” (2016), completed the initial list of five finalists with the entry “A Lab Story.”
In a surprising turn of events, Puregold CinePanalo added to the excitement by introducing the “Producer’s Choice” award, bestowed upon Eugene Torres for his film “One Day League: Dead Mother, Dead All.” This expansion increased the final count of full-length category finalists to six slots.
Eugene Torres, a talented actor, producer, and director, is notable for his short film “Yujin” (2017) and contributions to films such as “Deleter” (2022) and “Gatilyo” (2019).
Each of the six finalists will receive a grant of P2,500,000 to support the production costs of their full-length films. Additionally, finalists are entitled to free color grading by Optima Digital and a grocery package from Puregold. All film entries must have a minimum runtime of 90 minutes, with the submission deadline set for March 1, 2024.
The selected films are scheduled to premiere at the Gateway Cinemas in Araneta City Cubao during the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival, taking place from March 15 to 17, 2024, with potential regional screenings to follow.
The distinguished selection committee for the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival includes veteran film and television director Jeffrey Jethurian, award-winning filmmaker Victor Villanueva, Puregold senior marketing manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, Lyle Gonzales of Republic Creative, and Puregold CinePanalo festival director Chris Cahilig.
Ivy Hayagan-Piedad expressed her excitement about what lies ahead, stating, “Navigating through so much talent and creativity during deliberations was no walk in the park. The finalists’ films are very refreshing, and I cannot wait for people to witness these cinematic masterpieces.”
Meanwhile, Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival Director Chris Cahilig highlighted Puregold’s pivotal role in this endeavor, saying, “We will forever be grateful to Puregold for making this possible. It’s not just about seasoned directors showcasing their works; it’s also about allowing fresh new talents a shot at their aspirations. Thank you, Puregold, for giving space to diverse voices in the film industry.”
In a testament to Puregold’s commitment to fostering emerging talents, the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival previously named 25 promising student filmmakers as finalists in the short film category, emphasizing the company’s advocacy for the Filipino youth by providing a platform for young filmmakers to showcase their creativity and vision.
