A short film which tells the story of a woman fighting her own battles and trying to overcome her fears, won Best Cinematography at the recently concluded Singkuwento International Film Festival awards night held at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts Theater/Tanghalang Leandro V. Locsin.
“Ang Huling Bucketlist,” written and directed by Bibo Ebuen, was also nominated for Best Short Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Original Musical Score, Best Original Theme Song and Best Actress (Larissa Louise Alivio), in the event which is part of the National Arts Month celebration.
Assistant director Kate Lauren Restua received the award on behalf of Cinco Productions director of photography Rosa Mina Olan. The rest of the team is made up of Charmae Carambas, Stephanie Mae Mercado, Shaina Carandang, Angelica Virgilio, Japz Tacuyan, Jasmin Sellado, Mariel Torrejos and Angelo Angcaya. They made the film as a final requirement for their Cinema 2 class at Far Eastern University.
“Through the art of filmmaking as a powerful medium to mirror society, ‘Ang Huling Bucketlist’ has been able to raise people’s awareness and give hope to those who can relate to the story. Making this film would not have been possible without the full commitment of my production team,” Ebuen said.
The short film will again be screened together with fellow Singkuwento winners Belle Kay Loyola’s “Dalit,” Maggie Lirio’s and Therese Bayabo’s “Kung ‘di Man Dumating ang Gabi,” Maricel Cariaga’s “Limang Oras” and Tim Rone Villanueva’s “Paano Bihisan ang Isang Ina” on March 13 and 19, 9 p.m. at the UP Videotheque (back of Cine Adarna), when the film festival goes to UP Diliman this month.
Two other works from FEU alumni, which they made outside the university, also bagged awards in different categories. “Liwanag” by Arby and Christine Laraño won Jury Prize and Best Directors in the documentary category. It will be shown with three other documentaries on March 11, 4 p.m. and March 16, 9 p.m. at the UP Videotheque. Meanwhile, “Bisperas” by Ralph Lauren Quincena (Sinepanghalina) brought home the Audience Choice Award. The short film, which also made it as a finalist to Sinag Maynila 2019, will be screened with four other works on March 11, 5:30 p.m., and March 18, 9 p.m.
The other FEU finalists from the 25 short films which competed during the week-long Singkuwento festival are “Apo-Dios” by Victor Elijah Gador (Cine Mabuya Films), “Dama” by Trisha Marie Antonio (SineGang Films) and “Kumari” by Angela Aguila and One Carlo Diaz (Dream Developers Studios).
Presented by MPJ Entertainment Productions in cooperation with the NCCA, Asian Television Content Corporation and Film Development Council of the Philippines, Singkuwento aims to feature works of various Filipino and foreign filmmakers.
“It is an avenue for Filipinos both here and abroad to share their voice, sentiments and thoughts via the films they have created. It is also the festival’s aim to provide a channel for non-Filipinos to share their impressions of the Philippines and its people,” festival director, filmmaker and actor Perry Escaño said.
The official selection, according to Escaño, is “a collection of films which explore topics ranging from the youth to personal relationships, from growing up to death, and other thought-provoking social issues.”
The short film competition jury is composed of award-winning director Zig Dulay, FDCP Executive Director Will Fredo and producer-filmmaker Albert Almendralejo.
