Ala eh, this is your time to shine!
If you’re a filmmaker who values the cultural heritage, tradition and history and you want to showcase your creative flair through films, Sine Batangan- Batangas Film Festival might be the perfect avenue for you!
In partnership with The Film Dream, the first Batangas Independent Film Festival is set to take place on September 18-25 this year.
According to Jojo Driz, the creative genius behind this breakthrough project, he really wanted to create a film network in Batangas City and Batangas Province to the rest of the country. This will also assess the strength of Batangueño filmmakers whom he believes deserve to be in the limelight.
Driz, a Batangueño filmmaker for almost 4 years started his film journey by attending to workshops of the master storyteller, Ricky Lee. From then on, his love and dedication in telling stories flourished and he was even able to participate in Film Festivals such as Cinemalaya.
“Ang hirap gumawa ng pelikula, lalo na ngayon na may pandemic. Pero hindi dapat tayo tumitigil sa pagkukwento kaya naisip ko, bakit hindi nga kaya tayo gumawa ng film festival dito sa Batangas. Noong una, mahirap talaga. Kailangang mag-solicit ng pondo, mag-ask ng endorsement from the City and Province. Pero ang maganda dito, unti-unti, may mga dumadating na suporta.”
“Sa film festival na ito, ayaw namin na diktahan o ikahon ang mga filmmaker sa gusto nilang ikuwento. Gusto ko maging malaya sila sa pagbuo ng pelikula.”
(Jojo Driz, the man behind Sine Batangan Film Festival together with Batangas City Councilor, Aileen Arriola-Montalbo)
True enough, Driz’ vision came to life and despite all the challenges they had to face, Batangas Film Festival with its theme, “Film as Window to the World” is finally happening.
The film festival has three (3) competitive categories, such as: Student/ School-based Category, Batangan New Wave Category and Open Category. Entries shall be submitted from 5 July 2021 to 21 August 2021 only and after the said date, no more entries will be entertained for submission without prejudice to the number of entries submitted to the committee.The Sine Batangan Film Festival will also accept short films for free exhibition which can be submitted until 14 August 2021.
The Student Category is open to all student-produced short films from the universities, colleges and senior high schools of the Province of Batangas. Its theme is advocacy of the Batangueño culture, history and traditions.
On the other hand, the Batangan New Wave Category is open to all short films produced in Batangas by filmmakers who hail from or are based in Batangas province. Out-of-School Youth filmmakers may also join under this category.
Meanwhile, the Open Category is open to all Filipino short films produced outside Batangas, which tackles the culture and heritage of one’s hometown or province and the short films for exhibition are open to all filmmakers.
As of writing, the Sine Batangan Film Festival is now accepting submission for Competitive and Exhibition Categories! Those who wish to participate may register HERE: bit.ly/SineBatangan2021
Here is the full contest guidelines:
Eligibility 1. The Student Category is open to all student-produced short films from the universities, colleges and senior high schools of the Province of Batangas. Its theme is advocacy of the Batangueño culture, history and traditions. 2. The Batangan New Wave Category is open to all short films produced in Batangas by filmmakers who hail from or are based in Batangas province. Out-of-School Youth filmmakers may also join under this category. 3. The Open Category is open to all Filipino short films produced outside Batangas, which tackles the culture and heritage of one’s hometown or province. 4. Short films for exhibition are open to all filmmakers.
Film Entries for Competition 1. Films must have been completed on or before 21 August 2021. 2. Films may be live action or animation and may be in any genre (narrative, documentary, or experimental). 3. Films submitted may run from a minute up to 20 minutes only inclusive of OBB and CBB. 4. Submitted entries should be in the following formats: H.264/H.265 .mov or .mp4 or Pro Res with 1920 x 1080 resolution (1080p) 5. Proponent/producer/director should provide the following materials: a) 30 sec. trailer in acceptable film formats, and b) three to five digital stills. All of which shall be sent to sinebatangan@gmail.com. The proponent/producer/director may also submit posters, synopsis, and his/her profile. 6. Please note that these materials will be used by the festival to promote your films and festival events. 7. Entries must include a Sworn Statement that the said film has not won in any national competition. Films which have won or found to have won in national film competitions will NOT be accepted. However, those that competed in local film competitions may be accepted. 8. Films should be in the original language with English subtitles.
Film Entries for Exhibition Section 1. Films must have been completed no later than January 2019. 2. Films may be short or feature length. 3. Films may be live action or animation and may be in any genre (narrative, documentary, or experimental). 4. Films should be in the original language with English subtitles.
Use and Inclusion of Materials 1. The proponent/producer/director is responsible in securing permission for the use of copyrighted materials in the film, whether they are submitted as official entry for competition or for plain exhibition. 2. SBFF will not consider any film that contains unauthorized use of copyrighted or trademarked materials.
Film Submission 1. Entries shall be submitted online ONLY. Entries shall be submitted to sinebatangan@gmail.com 2. Film submitted as entry should not be posted to any online platforms until the SBFF Committee has provided the link for public viewing. 3. Entries must include proof of identity of the proponent as a Batangueño (Certified True Copy of Birth Certificate, Certificate of Enrollment if applicable, Community Tax Certificate, Barangay Clearance and Identification Card); and contact details. 4. Entries must also include a Sworn Statement of the Producer that in the production of the entry, all government protocols being implemented during the pandemic situation are duly observed and followed. SBFF will not be held liable for any violations of the protocol committed during the production of the entries. 5. SBFF ensures that film copies will be secured against unauthorized distribution or copying.
Selection 1. Selected films for competition and exhibition will be notified on or before 15 September 2021. 2. Festival programmers select the films for the competition and exhibition of the same. All selected films will be screened during the festival in September 18-25, 2021. 3. SBFF Committee does not offer any payment for the exhibition rights of selected films. 4. Cast and crew of selected films are highly encouraged to attend the festival, if possible. 5. Selected films may also be programmed in other film festivals. In this case, the Festival will contact the filmmaker.
Awards 1. The winners of competitive sections will be announced in the festival. All filmmakers are strongly encouraged to attend the event. 2. The Festival Jury will choose a winner among the selected films. The decision of the jury is final and irrevocable. 3. The following awards will be given in each Category: Champion - Php 30,000.00 First Runner Up - Php 20,000.00 Second Runner Up - Php 10,000.00 Each winner will also receive a trophy 4. A trophy and a certificate will be given to the following Special Awards: Jury’s Choice Best Editing Best Director Best Sound Best Screenplay Best Production Design Best Cinematography Best Performance
If you need more information about the submission guidelines, please send an email to sinebatangan@gmail.com.
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