Cinema One Digital Filmfest starts on November 9

LAST YEAR’s Cinema One Digital Filmfest produced one of 2010’s best films, ‘Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria’ that won awards here and abroad. Strangely, the festival judges didn’t make it win at all and chose “Layang Bilanggo” that was rightfully ignored by other award-giving bodies. It’s good “Damgo” was vindicated later, winning awards even abroad and also best picture in the Urian. This is the filmfest’ 7th year and instead of just 7, there will be 10 original film entries, chosen from among 110 scripts submitted to the screening committee. Each one was given a P1 million grant (bigger than Cinemalaya).

We just hope festival director Ronald Arguelles will pick more perceptive jurors who’ll make wiser decisions this time. The filmfest opens on Wednesday, November 9, and all the entries can be seen at the Shangrila Cineplex until November 15. The awards night will be held on Nov. 13 at the Grand Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

There will be two honorary awardees this year: actress Nora Aunor and director Mario O’Hara, who both just did “Sa Ngalan ng Ina” with TV5. Take note that aside from this, Ate Guy is also being honored with a lifetime achievement award by Tikoy Aguiluz’ Cinemalaya, along with her rival Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos. If and when both Ate Vi and Ate Guy attend the awards night to get their trophies, that will be the first time they’d see each other since Ate Guy returned home. But personally, we doubt if that would happen. Meantime, about the 10 Cinema One entries, we’ll tell you more about them later.