Call for Kapampangan short films: Take part in the 1st Cinekabalen Philippine Film Festival

Last December, the fourth Mindanao Film Festival was held in Davao which screened full-length Mindanaoan films and student short films in competition. In 2005, the first ever Cebuano Film Festival was organized along with its annual Sinulog Festival. 2007, on the other hand, ushered in the first ever i.Film (Ilonggo film) Short Film Festival, organized by an Ilonggo film organization uniting all communication schools in Iloilo. Just this January, the Bicolanos held their second Magayon Pili-Kula Digital Film Festival, which operated like the festivals in other regions.

Recognizing this impressive enthusiasm for indie filmmaking from the regions is NCCA, such that this February, in the National Arts Month, it decided to organize Cinema Rehiyon, a celebration of Philippine Cinema from the regions. Short films from various regions of the country such as Bacolod, Iloilo, Cebu, Naga, Davao, and Baguio will be screened at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) this month.

Poor Pampango Unlike film scenes from other regions, Kapampangan cinema will be represented only by one short film: Kalalangan Kamaru�s �Ing Bangkeru,� directed by yours truly. Asked why, NCCA honestly responded that the Kapampangan film scene is not very strong compared to the other regions mentioned in the second paragraph. In other regions, they themselves organize their own festivals to shout out to the rest of the country that they have their own film scenes emerging, which does not happen yet in the Kapampangan region. NCCA is arguably correct to assert that.

In response to this assessment of NCCA, it can be said that it is time for the Kapampangan region to participate in this next wave of Philippine Cinema by holding its first ever Kapampangan Film Festival not only in Pampanga but also in surrounding Kapampangan-speaking regions. Thus, make way for the upcoming Cinekabalen Philippine Film Festival spearheaded by the Holy Angel University Center for Kapampangan Studies and Kalalangan Kamaru.

Mekeni, Lente Cinekabalen will aim to make people, especially Kapampangans, aware of the existence of Kapampangan cinema and to celebrate the capability of Kapampangans to make films; to encourage Kapampangans, especially students, to make short films that tackle the Kapampangan experience; to promote the patronization of the Kapampangan language for aspiring filmmakers; to hone the skills of aspiring Kapampangan student filmmakers through seminars, lectures, and workshop; to provide a venue for aspiring competent filmmakers to showcase their work/s; and to organize a cooperative film community or network among the Kapampangans, especially universities with communication courses. The highlights of the festival will be: 1) the screening of Philippine Kapampangan full-length films, short films, music videos, and documentaries; 2) panel discussions on indie filmmaking; and 3) a short film competition.