Puregold’s CinePanalo Film Festival presents an important opportunity for student, amateur, and young professional filmmakers to make their mark in the industry. The festival will feature new and original movies celebrating everyday winning moments in Filipinos’ lives.
The focus of the CinePanalo Film Festival is on producing wholesome, inspiring, and family-oriented films under the theme “Mga Kwentong Panalo ng Buhay.” There are two different categories: short films for students and campus-based filmmakers, and full-length films for amateur and professional participants.
The project will offer production grants to outstanding film concepts. In the full-length category, five select directors will be awarded a grant worth P2,500,000 each, while in the short film category, 25 grants worth P100,000 each will be given to aspiring student directors.
Puregold’s President, Vincent Co, emphasizes their commitment to nurturing Filipino youth’s talents and promoting education through initiatives like the CinePanalo Film Festival.
“Puregold has always believed in upholding education and supporting the talents of Filipino youth,” says Co. “We endeavor to give young people a more sustainable, energizing environment in which they may pursue their passions. This is the driving force behind our latest initiative, the CinePanalo Film Festival.”
Interested participants are required to submit an entry form, a synopsis of up to 300 words, a detailed sequence treatment, the director’s resume along with links to sample works (if available), and a digital copy of the director’s profile photo. Applications must be sent to thesecretariat@cinepanalo.com and should be received on or before October 27, 2023.
Ivy Piedad, Puregold’s senior manager for marketing, believes these production grants will be instrumental in helping budding creatives kick-start their careers in the film industry. “We will provide resources that every young filmmaker dreams of: the financial means to practice one’s craft and a screening in major cinemas as well as online. These tools will help spark their creativity and lead to a priceless first-hand education on producing high-quality content.”
The festival director, award-winning filmmaker Chris Cahilig, explains what distinguishes it from other similar events, both foreign and local: “Unlike other film festivals, we will focus on films that inspire and uplift, crafted by Filipino filmmakers who want to share their talents with their peers.”
The festival requires all participants to submit their fully produced films on or before March 1, 2024. Short film entries should have a runtime between 20 to 30 minutes, while feature film submissions must be at least 90 minutes long. The screening of completed film entries will take place during the festival period from March 8 to 10, 2024, at the Gateway Cinemas in Quezon City.
Short film entries will be uploaded to the official Puregold Channel on YouTube, where these will join the company’s other digital retailtainment properties such as “GV Boys,” “Ang Babae sa Likod ng Face Mask,” “52 Weeks,” and “Ang Lalaki sa Likod ng Profile.”
The CinePanalo Film Festival marks Puregold’s latest foray into integrating its sustainability and retailtainment efforts. Such an approach has allowed Puregold to reach out to the next generation of shoppers who are rediscovering the joys of heartwarming Filipino culture and stories. Interested filmmakers may inquire via email at thesecretariat@cinepanalo.com.
