CINEMAGIS, a digital short film competition open to all student and professional film makers, is now on its 6th year of nurturing and harvesting the filmmaking potentials of Northern Mindanao.
CINEMAGIS started in 2009 as one of the CINEMAS in the REGIONS – film festivals supported by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts through its National Committee on Cinema. CINEMAGIS is organized by Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts (Xavier University), Xavier Science Foundation, Research Institute for Mindanao Culture, XU NSTP and SM City Cagayan de Oro.
From 2009 to 2011, CINEMAGIS’ student best directors have been given scholarships and have taken film courses in DLSU – College of St Benilde.
Glenn Mark Doromal graduated from St Benilde in 2013, where he directed his film thesis titled “Infinite Sun” or “Walay Katapusang Adlaw.” His thesis won acclamations and bagged the Grand Jury Prize during the 2013 Mindanao Film Festival in Davao City. Infinite Sun will also be shown during the regular screening of CINEMAGIS. Mr Glenn Mark Doromal will also receive a special citation on his achievement.
Jenriel Pons Lagat, an alumnus of Xavier University High School, is taking up film production still at St Benilde and is about to defend his thesis. Lagat has directed films that have qualified for the top awards in CINEMAGIS from 2011-2013.
Another breakthrough was Jasmine Limas’ film CARMEN, which won the best film award and was featured in CINEMA REHIYON 4. CARMEN was also programmed and featured in a film festival in San Francisco, USA.
These are just a few of the accomplishments of CINEMAGIS. Since it started, winners of both the student and professional categories and some outstanding films have been programmed in the annual CINEMA REHIYON, which is the mother regional film festival and flagship project of the National Committee on Cinema.
Filmmakers who have made it to CINEMA REHIYON’s programs are Shaun Alejandrae Uy, Tsaddi Esguerra, Glenn Mark Doromal, Jenriel Lagat, Aine Codas, Rosalie Zerrudo, Javey Martinez, Ray Anthony Lao, Gray Em Erezo, Krizza Campano and Frenz Dale Magno.
This year, CINEMAGIS is proud to curate films that have social relevance. There are films that touch on the issues of climate, women, gender, peace and development, food, health and sanitation, social prejudice, self awareness and respect.
CINEMAGIS- 6th Digital Short Film Festival entries include students: Christine Pulgo’s LUGOS, Angel Frances Borres’ PERLA, Eastine Charles Taneo’s WA KO KAKITA, Richard Mar Cabarte’s KAON TA, Jamela Bato’s CEASEFIRE, Krystel Hypa Magallanes’ UNAWA, Janine Banday’s THE PERFECT GIRL and JS Legara’s BINIBINING KANSER.