“Astro Mayabang” – A comedy from writer-director Jason Paul Laxamana starring Arron Villaflor, Megan Young and John Lapus.
“Tsardyer” – Loosely based by Siegfried Sanchez on the Abu Sayyaf abduction of Ces Drilon, it stars Dimples Romana, Jhong Hilario, Nor Domingo, and tot star Martin de los Santos in the title role of the boy who goes up and down the mountain to charge the cellphones of kidnappers in the lowlands.
“Dagim” – A horror film from Joaquin Valdes about a dreadful tribe starring Martin del Rosario, Samuel Quintana, Bembol Roco, Marc Abaya, Luis Alanday and Daniel Fernando.
“Third World Happy” – Writer-director EJ Salcedo’s drama stars Sam Milby as a balikbayan artist who left Manila after the death of his parents and now returns home for another funeral to confront his past, with Jodi Sta. Maria, Richard Quan, Melissa Mendez and Archie Alemania.
“Layang Bilanggo” – From filmmaker Mike Dagnalan, this stars Pen Medina as an assassin running away from his tormentors who seeks the help of the daughter he abandoned years ago, Miriam Quiambao.
“Ishmael” – Writer-director Richard Somes (“Yanggaw”) wrote this action-drama for Ronnie Lazaro who plays a killer just paroled after 12 years in jail. Also stars Mark Gil, Pen Medina, Dan Alvaro and newcomer Ria Garcia as a girl with a secret connected to Ronnie’s past.
“Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria Kirchbaum” – Written by Ma. Victoria Beltran and directed by Remton Zuasola, this is the story of a Cebuana (Donna Gimeno) who becomes a mail order bride marrying a German to help improve the life of her poor family. The film is one long take, tuhog style, showing Donna leaving her home and going to a boat that will take her away, and the people she encounters along the way.
Programming director Ronald Arguelles also announces that they’re now accepting entries to the 7th filmfest and deadline is earlier at January 14. They will get 10 entries for next year, just like in Cinemalaya. “This will give them more time to shoot the movies during the summer months,” he says.
