• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Cash prizes of P300,000 and five iPhones are up for grabs for every movie ticket purchased in line with the first Bacolod Film Festival (BFF), with the 10 short films to be shown at SM City Bacolod and Ayala Malls Capitol Central cinemas from Sept. 12 to 15.
Department of Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions head, Dr. Mae Llamas, who presented the Bacolodnon filmmakers in a press conference at the City Mayor’s Office Sept. 9, said the prizes will come from the personal funds of Mayor Alfredo Benitez.
A set of five short films can be watched for about one hour and 45 minutes, and costs P200. Each ticket means one entry to the electronic raffle on Sept. 15, with five iPhone 15 and three cash prizes of P100,000 at stake.
Tickets can now be bought at SM City Bacolod, Ayala Malls Capitol Central, or at the lobby of the Bacolod Government Center.
Set A is composed of “Glub”, directed by Reginald Amador Zack Versoza, “The Mansion” by Oscar Villanueva, “Laragway sa Karon” by Mary Pauline Ortaliz Santos, “A Flower a Day” by Chelsea Tasic, and “Manokan Country” by Banjo Hinolan.
Short films included in Set B are “Blind Date”, produced by Juan Carlo Miguel Ferraris Araullo; “Sa Pwesto ni Pistong (The Barber’s Chair)”, directed by Vincent Joseph Entuna; “Puli Na, Diche Lesly” by Willbryan Garcia; “Aninaw” by Charlene Mae Mead Tupas; and “Chicken Inasal (Those Little Things)” by Poli Gonzales.
Benitez and Councilor Em Ang, author of the BFF ordinance, urged the public to support local filmmakers by watching the first staging of the film festival.
“The film festival will showcase the talents of Bacolodnons and will serve as platform to reach more,” the mayor said, adding he sees a huge potential that the BFF will become a sought-after festival in the highly-urbanized city.
The filmfest opening program will be at Ayala Malls tomorrow afternoon, Sept. 12, to be followed by free screening for partner-schools and supporters.
The films will be screened at the cinemas of the two malls on Sept. 13-15. “Buy your tickets, scan the QR code on the ticket upon entry to the cinema to register for the raffle, and present your ticket to claim your prize,” Llamas said.
The winners will be determined through an electronic raffle during the BFF Awards Night on Sept. 15 at SM Bacolod.
Llamas said distinguished jury members Philip Cheah, Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chairperson Joey Reyes, Atty. Joji Alonso, noted film and TV director Lawrence Fajardo, screenwriter Wanggo Gallaga, and MTRCB chairperson Lala Sotto-Antonio will determine and award the winning films and cast.
These include Best Actor/Actress, Best Supporting Actor/Actress, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Best Musical Score, Best Original Story, Best Screenplay, Best Production Design, including costume, make-up, and special effects, Best Director, and Best Picture, as well as audience choice, special jury prize, best ensemble acting, and special mention. | CGC
