schoolscolleges2020 hed news

The Xavier Film Society recently concluded its XFShorts 2014, a short film festival. This year’s theme was Gaston Park, Cagayan de Oro’s famous park fronting the Saint Augustine Cathedral.

Mariefred Gaid, XFS President, referred to the activity as, “Our contribution to the celebration of the National Arts Month.”

Kathleen Araña, DevCom alumna and XFS consultant, broached the idea of Gaston Park as the overall theme of the film festival.

“It’s going back to old Cagayan de Oro and appreciating the long forgotten Gaston Park photographers,” Araña said.

Four films competed for various awards, which included the Best Short Film, the Best Director, the Best Actor, and the Best Actress, among others.

Walang Basagan ng Trip won the Best Short Film award. Directed by DevCom junior, Angelo Dabbay, the film is inspired by Twilight, the bestselling novel of author Stephanie Meyer. Set in a university, the main character, Albert (Albert Fudotan won Best Actor), acts as modern-day Edward Cullen.

Lente won several awards for its filmmakers. Best Director winner Princess Alonto’s film tackles the longing for lost love with Gaston Park as its witness. Lente also won Best Musical Score, Editing and Cinematography.

Other films in the festival include Cedric Rodriguez’s Upload Complete and Alonto’s Every Teardrop is a Waterfall.

“We have a good harvest of noteworthy short films,” Evans Yonson, XFS moderator said.

The XFShorts 2014 entries were outputs of XFS members after a one-day workshop by Yonson in January.

The XFS also holds a weekly film showing at Mister Donut Divisoria. This month’s theme is Love in the Cinema and includes Roman Holiday, Before Midnight, and On a Golden Pond.

“We hope to have another short film festival and several workshops in the coming school year,” Gaid said.