Cinemalaya 2018 opens with Buy Bust this August
The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Cinemalaya Foundation open its much-awaited annual Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, its 14th year, August 3 to 12 at various venues of the CCP and selected Ayala Cinemas.
The festival offers the suspense-action-thriller, “Buy Bust” will open the 14th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival on August 3, at the CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater).
The opening film will be screened at 7 p.m., following the opening program at 6 p.m.
Directed by Erik Matti, the film follows rookie police officer Nina Manigan who joins the anti-narcotic elite squad.
Soon, two teams are deployed to conduct a buy-bust operation in the slums of Manila.
Realizing that the mission is poorly executed, the anti-narcotic squad finds themselves trapped by a gang of slum settlers and needs to fight their way out to escape.
Buy Bust features actress Anne Curtis who played the lead role, and MMA fighter Brandon Vera.
Completing the cast are Victor Neri, Arjo Atayde, Nonie Buencamino, Lao Rodriguez, Alex Calleja, Levi Ignacio, Ricky Pascua, Joross Gamboa, Sheenly Gener, Mara Lopez, AJ Muhlach, Tarek El Tayech, Maddie Martinez, Nafa Hilario, Ian Ignacio, and Mikey Alcaraz.
The screening of BuyBust will be invitational, with limited tickets available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.
The tickets will be distributed on August 3, starting at 2 pm, at the CCP Little Theater Lobby.
With its latest theme Wings of Vision, this year’s Cinemalaya will screen 10 full-length films, all competing for the grand awards.
The competing full-length entries are: Distance by Percival Intalan; Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon (Waiting for Sunset) by Carlo Enciso Catu; Kuya Wes by James Robin Mayo; Liway by Kip Oebanda; Mamang by Denise O’Hara; ML by Benedicto Mique Jr.; Musmos na Sumibol sa Gubat ng Digma (Unless the Water is Safer than the Land) by Iar Lionel Arondaing; Pan De Salawal (The Sweet taste of Salter Bread and Undies) by Che Espiritu; School Service by Luisito Lagdameo Ignacio; and, The Lookout by Afi Africa.
There are 10 short films, including: Babylon by Keith Deligero; Jodilerks Dela Cruz, Employee of the Month by Carlo Francisco Manatad; Kiko by Jojo Driz; Logro Kani Villaflor; Nangungupahan (Who Rents There Now?) by Glenn Barit; Sa Saiyang Isla (In His Island) by Christian Candelaria; Si Astri maka Si Tambulah (Astri and Tambulah) by Xeph Suarez; Siyudad sa Bulawan (City of Gold) by Jarell Serencio; Yakap by Mika Fabella and Rafael Froilan Jr.; and, You, Me and Mr. Wiggles by Jav Velasco.
To pay tribute to Maryo J. Delos Reyes through a special screening of his best films Bagets and Magnifico; and to Bernardo Bernardo by showing Manila by Night by Ishmael Bernal. Retrospective section will feature the 2017 Cinemalaya Best Film Respeto by Treb Monteras, and Baconaua by Joseph Israel Laban who won Best Director.
Since it first presentation in 2005, Cinemalaya has continued to discover, encourage and support the cinematic works of upcoming and veteran Filipino filmmakers who boldly articulate and freely interpret the Philippine experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity.
To date, Cinemalaya has supported and promoted the production of Filipino full feature independent films and short films. Many of these films have won awards in local and international competitions and festivals.
Through the annual festival, Cinemalaya has showcased over 1,000 works by independent filmmakers including full feature films, shorts, documentaries, Filipino film classics, and art films.
See you at the CCP as well as in Glorietta and Greenbelt Theaters.
