Star Powerhouse

Finalist of 2018 Sinag Maynila Film Festival 2018 Finalists for Sinag Maynila’s Film Festival Full Length, Short Film, and Documentary categories were announced last 21st of February at The Block, SM City North EDSA. With its theme on their 4th season this year, “Sine Lokal, Pang-Internasyonal” truly defines how good award winning Filipino Movie Makers are when it comes to film, bringing it into the next level and showing them what we’ve got in international film festivals.

Now on its fourth year, Sinag Maynila Film Festival 2018: Sine Lokal, Pang-Internasyonal is now accepting finished full-length feature films, short films, and documentary.

Sinag Maynila Film Festival: Sine Lokal, Pang-Internasyonal remain true to its advocacy as two of its full-length films qualify for the Tokyo International Film Festival.

Two small-time felons with disparate personas cross paths: One’s a principled tough gay; the other is a scheming, street-smart teenager. Together, they get caught up in a string of petty exploits while managing to forge a stronger bond. Can they survive the ordeal?

Spanning five decades and filmed in three continents, this energetic docudrama showcases the rich, vivid history of an understated fixture of Pinoy culture.  Beyond the Block  chronicles the evolution of Filipino street dance, as seen from the eyes of the filmmaker.

Ladyfish follows a gay misfit’s search for clarity and acceptance after being unjustly fired from her job. The plot thickens when her best friend appears at her doorstep with her adopted Swedish son. Soon, the friends must face the challenge of thriving in a cold, judgemental society.

Kristo (Hf Yambao) A man suddenly faces an assortment of personal struggles – ironically, in the midst of a family milestone. In this hard-hitting drama, he will fight to protect his livelihood, maintain his honor as a family man, and, eventually, save his own life. Ultimately, Kristo poses the question: In the game of life, who wins and who loses?

Tu Pug Imatuy, which means "the right to kill" in Manobo, follows Lumad couple Obunay & Dawin who encounter soldiers who break their family and community apart. Inspired by true events, the film tackles Lumads' struggles against mining and militarization.

Last March 12, 2017 Sinag Maynila announced the winners of the festival at the Samsung Hall, Sm Aura. List of Winners Best Picture: "TU PUG IMATUY" Best Director: ARBI BARBARONA – "Tu Pug Imatuy” Best Actor: KRISTOFER KING - “Kristo” and RAYMOND FRANCISCO - “Bhoy Intsik”

The local film festival’s new tagline “Sine Lokal, Pang-Internasyonal” lives up to its core as the roster of finalists handpicked by Sinag Maynila CEO and Founder Wilson Tieng and world-renowned and internationally acclaimed film director Brillante Ma Mendoza have been announced. “The upgraded mechanics for this season may have been a risky move, but we are very happy with the outcome,” says Tieng. “We are looking forward to the reception of these films here and of course, internationally.”

Entries are now being accepted for the third season of Sinag Maynila Film Festival! Sinag Maynila and its featured local indie films have been gaining traction in various international film festivals—Vesoul International Asian Movies Film Festival, Busan International Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival among others. Under the supervision of Sinag Maynila CEO and Founder Wilson Tieng, and world-renowned and internationally acclaimed film director Brillante Ma Mendoza, the diverse and captivating stories of the produced films garnered attention overseas.

Since its successful inauguration last March 2015, the first set of featured films have debuted in various international film festivals. “The exposure of the filmmakers in other countries brings pride and honor to Sinag Maynila and to the Filipino Filmmakers,” says Festival Director Brillante Mendoza. As we welcome the new year, the independent film festival Sinag Maynila already has a line-up of films to be premiered this April.