By Stephen J Pedroza
Among the official entries from all over Northern Mindanao, “Lucid” by Cloyd Winstanley in the senior category and “Senyas” by Kenneth Sabijon in the student set have secured nine nominations each in the 8th Cinemagis Digital Short Film Festival. The nominees were unveiled during the opening ceremony at the XU Little Theater held Wednesday night.
“Lucid” follows the story of the protagonist named Phillip who grapples between the realms of reality and fantasy, while “Senyas” tells the story of Kagay-anons ravaged by the wrath of TS Sendong in December 2011.
After the presentation of nominees, this year’s film feature “Ang Nerseri” (The Nursery) by Vic Acedillo of Camiguin was shown to the audience, composed of professional and budding filmmakers, Cinemagis judges, XU faculty members, students and guests.
With screenings running until Jan 23 at the XU Little Theater and SM Cagayan de Oro Cinema 3, the eighth installment of Cinemagis presents three professional entries, ten student films, five Pi-length entries and the award-winning short films of Joe Bacus and Clark Cabantan.
Under the banner of Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts (XCCA), Cinemagis serves as a platform for local filmmakers to showcase their talents, skills and stories, contributing to the development of the filmmaking industry in Northern Mindanao. Since its inception in 2009, a number of films have already gone on to national independent film festivals and even to the international stage.
The members of the judging panel are Cinemalaya 2009 Best Screenplay Awardee and “Ang Nerseri” director Victor Acedillo of Camiguin; theater actor and director from Pagadian City Felimon Blanco; and Davaoeño filmmaker, musician and production sound mixer Arbi Barbarona, who will determine this year’s winners in their deliberation on Saturday morning.
The awards night will be held at SM City Event Center on Jan 23.
Here is the complete list of nominations.
Best Short Film
Student Category
“Sabali” by Christian Alan Toring
“Silid” by Karyl Jill Gonzales
“The Mist of Mind” by Harold Villegas
“Tabanog” by Kirby James Jagape
“Hali” by Harold Jess Siason
“Almost” by Sarah Lituañas
“Alarm Clock” by Lucky dela Rosa
“Casting Couch” by Gari Jamero and Rajesh Pandey
“Katapusan” by Heintze Crile Malack
“Senyas” by Kenneth Sabijon
Professional Category
“The Barrel” by Orpheus Nery
“Lucid” by Cloyd Winstanley
“Ang Mga Bulaclac ng Abuquerque” by German V Gervacio
Best Director
Student Category
“The Mist of Mind” (Harold Villegas)
“Tabanog” (Kirby James Jagape)
“Hali” (Harold Jess Siason)
“Alarm Clock” (Lucky dela Rosa)
“Casting Couch” (Rajesh Pandey and Gari Jamero)
“Katapusan” (Heintze Crile Malack)
“Senyas” (Kenneth Sabijon)
Professional Category
“The Barrel” (Orpheus Nery)
“Lucid” (Cloyd Winstanley)
“Ang Mga Bulaclac ng Abuquerque” (German V Gervacio)
Best Story
Student Category
“Silid” (Karyl Jill Gonzales)
“The Mist of Mind” (Harold Villegas)
“Tabanog” (Aileen Llesis)
“Hali” (Harold Jess Siason)
“Alarm Clock” (Lucky dela Rosa)
“Katapusan” (Heintze Crile Malack)
“Senyas” (Edmund Telmo)
Professional Category
“The Barrel” (Orpheus Nery, Joe Bacus and July Ilagan)
“Lucid” (Cloyd Winstanley)
“Ang Mga Bulaclac ng Abuquerque” (German V Gervacio)
Best Art Direction
Student Category
“Sabali” (Jacques Saladaga, Robert Omandan and Raven dela Cruz)
“The Mist of Mind” (Harold Villegas)
“Tabanog” (Wina Lustado)
“Almost” (Sarah Lituañas)
“Alarm Clock” (Claire Gigje)
“Katapusan” (Jesseker Jayson)
“Senyas” (Kenneth Sabijon)
Professional Category
“The Barrel” (July Ilagan)
“Lucid” (Joey Baldoza and Ken Romarate)
Best Cinematography
Student Category
“Sabali” (Rick Rico)
“The Mist of Mind” (Harold Villegas)
“Tabanog” (Kirby James Jagape)
“Hali” (Harold Jess Siason)
“Almost” (Jan Michael Sy)
“Alarm Clock” (Lucky dela Rosa, Jwyn Mae Loquero and Peterson Lui)
“Katapusan” (Heintze Crile Malack and Melrein Viado)
“Senyas” (Kerwin Longos)
Professional Category
“The Barrel” (Dio Rama)
“Lucid” (Cloyd Winstanley)
Best Editing
Student Category
“The Mist of Mind” (Harold Villegas)
“Tabanog” (Kirby James Jagape)
“Almost” (Jan Michael Sy)
“Alarm Clock” (Lucky dela Rosa)
“Katapusan” (Melrein Viado and Jesseker Jayson)
“Senyas” (Kerwin Longos)
Professional Category
“The Barrel” (Orpheus Nery and Dio Rama)
“Lucid” (Cloyd Winstanley)
Best Sound Scoring
Student Category
“Sabali” (Christian Alan Toring)
“The Mist of Mind” (Harold Villegas)
“Alarm Clock” (Lucky dela Rosa)
“Katapusan” (Melrein Viado)
“Senyas” (Kerwin Longos)
Professional Category
“The Barrel” (John Uy)
“Lucid” (Cloyd Winstanley)
“Ang Mga Bulaclac ng Abuquerque” (German V Gervacio)
Best Actor
Student Category
“Sabali” (Justin Cabiara)
“The Mist of Mind” (Rodnes Gulmatico)
“Tabanog” (James Ryan Cuñado)
“Hali” (Joerit Joseph Abella)
“Almost” (Aga Nulo)
“Casting Couch” (Trustin Meg Ryann Famas)
“Senyas” (Edmund Telmo)
Professional Category
“Lucid” (PJ Pagalan)
“Ang Mga Bulaclac ng Abuquerque” (Jestoni Cabalhin)
Best Actress
Student Category
“Silid” (Christine Joy Jungoy)
“Almost” (Karen Casiño)
“Alarm Clock” (Jazza Mae Tabamo)
“Katapusan” (Aileen Hallazgo)
“Senyas” (Jean Obsiana)
Professional Category
“Lucid” (Kor Garces)
“The Barrel” (Jocell Sedigo) 