Do you have any stories of hope?
Istorya ng Pag-asa Film Festival, now on its second year, is a nationwide short film competition held by the Office of the Vice President in partnership with the Ayala Foundation and the Film Development Council of the Philippines. It aims to challenge the grim and hopeless narratives that we’re used to by presenting the real stories of our countrymen, uplifting both the subject and the viewer. Take note: It’s not calling for sugarcoated stories that glide over the hardships and hurdles that their subjects face, but to show the triumph and grace and yearning that the subjects continue to hold onto despite their struggles.
“It is our hope that through [Istorya ng Pag-asa Film Festival], Filipinos will be united around the common values of hope, of perseverance, deep faith, and the goodness of humanity. Kasi iyon iyong talagang underlying theme ng bawat kuwento,” says Vice President Leni Robredo, adding that the entries should be ones that encourage viewers “to keep fighting.”
Past entries have included a story about a boy that dives into a muddy, polluted lake to fish for stray coins, and an old jazz club struggling to stay afloat.
The film festival is open to all Filipinos, professional filmmakers and non-professionals alike. The only conditions are that the short 3 to 5-minute videos (which can be either live or animated) have not been submitted anywhere else, the videos are made with the subject’s consent (if the subject is no longer living, the filmmakers must have the family’s consent), and that underage filmmakers present a signed letter of consent. Additionally, the phrase “istorya ng pag-asa” must appear in any form in the video, dialogues in Filipino or a regional language must have English subtitles, and contestants can only enter one video.
There are eight categories that you can win. Here they are along with their respective prizes:
- Best Film: P80,000 and a trophy
- 1st Runner-up: P50,000 and a trophy
- 2nd Runner-up: P30,000 and a trophy
- Best Director: Cash prize and a trophy
- Best Cinematography: Cash prize and a trophy
- Best Script: Cash prize and a trophy
- People’s Choice Award: Cash prize and a trophy
- Special award by the Ayala Foundation: Cash prize and a trophy
The entries will also have a chance to be screened at the Ayala Mall Cinemas. Furthermore, the top 10 films will be featured on the contest’s Facebook page.
The deadline for submissions is on Mar. 25. The top 10 finalists will be announced on Apr. 30 and will then be screened during the INPFF Gala Night and Awarding Ceremony on Jun. 8. All finalists are expected to attend INPFF workshops on Jun. 7 to 8 before the awarding.
To know more about the Istorya ng Pag-asa, you can visit its website.
Featured photo courtesy of Eggshell Worldwide Communications Incorporated
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Writer: ZOFIYA ACOSTA
