The Margaha Film Festival, now in its 6th year, will showcase 18 short films and is set to hold its grand opening and film premiere at Margaha Beach in Brgy. Old Sagay, Sagay City, on Feb. 22.
This year, the festival introduces two new categories: the Sagaynon Shorts and the Philippine Shorts Competition, reflecting its mission to grow and celebrate island stories from across the Philippines.
Among the films competing in the Sagaynon Shorts category are “Walo Walo: Walo ka Adlaw nga Kanay, Walo ka Adlaw nga Labugay”, directed by Mery Grace Mission, “Babaye sa Bubon” by Ginboy Bataclit, “Ga Ano Kamo?” by Thirdy Macam, “Macamilco: Isa ka Balinghoy ang Kalibutan” by Ry Cortez and Crispel Jhun Ducay;
“Kabay Pa” by Kent Raven Ardeña, “Pagpanginyawat” by Bert John Desphy, “Si Sir kag ang Gamay nga Bata” by Seb Valdez, “Mga Hutik kag Tinago” by Rhyne Angel Dayaganon, “Hangaway” by Levi James Arellano, and “1945: Fight for Freedom” by John Fritz Ardeña.
The Sagaynon Shorts each received P40,000 seed fund from the Office of Sagay City Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva, with assistance from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Film Development Council of the Philippines.
For the Philippine Shorts Competition, eight films from across the country will be competing, including “A Crab from a Conch Shell” by Jermaine Tulbo, “Ang Maniniyot ni Papa Jisos” by Franky Arrocena, “Old World” by Roland Cartagena, “Pagtaghoy sa Hangin” by Kyle Erika Saycon;
“Sa Ilalum sa Balabal sa Alitaptap” by Juvy Ann Clarito, “Sino Nagaeog-Gaeog sa Eugan-Eugan?” by Anjo Salmorin, “Subasko” by Alleison Dimatulac, and “Transients” by Kyla Danelle Romero.
Festival director Helen Arguelles-Cutillar said that the variety of films this year makes the festival more exciting as it tells stories of local heritage, culture, and even unique sensibilities, not just of every community of Sagay but from various regions in the Philippines.
“We are proud to introduce our 18 short films this year and we look forward to making the festival experience more exciting this time,” Arguelles-Cutillar said in a press release.
With the expansion of the festival, SineMargaha will also have a 10-panel jury for both competitions.
These include film educator and film critic Tito Valiente, NCCA-National Committee on Cinema chairperson Butch Ibañez, film educator Jose Antonio Garcia, Bakunawa Film Festival director and multi-disciplinary artist Elvert Bañares, Negros Museum executive director Tanya Lopez;
Filmmaker and Active Vista Human Rights Film Festival director Alex Poblete, Visayan artist and actress Chai Fonacier, filmmaker and FDCP head of Education Rica Arevalo, artist and writer Kenneth Rivera, and radio anchor and local historian Rod Florentino.
From Feb. 23 to 28, public screenings will be held starting 5 p.m. onwards, at the Sagay City public plaza.
On Feb. 26 and 27, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., film screenings and directors’ talkbacks will take place at the State University of Northern Negros (SUNN), allowing students and film enthusiasts to engage with filmmakers and discuss their creative processes.
The Margaha Film Festival 2025 is presented by the city government of Sagay, the NCCA-National Committee on Cinema, the FDCP, the Office of Cueva, and Syano Artlink, and made possible through partnerships with the Office of Rep. Alfredo Marañon III, Rotary Club of Sagay, and the SUNN. ||
