38th Metro Manila Film Festival New Wave Feature Film (2012)

38th METRO MANILA FILM FESTIVAL

NEW WAVE FEATURE FILM (2012)

I. INTRODUCTION: Independent Films in the Philippines

An independent film or indie film is “any motion picture financed and produced completely autonomous of all [movie] studios, regardless of size. Independent films offer visions of society not usually found in the mainstream.”

Independent films in the Philippines provide an alternative way of storytelling. These give diverse and unique plots, at times bordering on unconventional societal topics.

According to Dr. John Lent, a Canadian poet and novelist, as well as a college educator of creative writing and literature, the Philippines has the longest tradition of independent film-making in Southeast Asia, citing Lino Brocka, Behn Cervantes, and Ishmael Bernal who attempted to produce non-commercial works especially before, during and after the Martial Law.

The use of advanced technology has made it easier, for those who could not do so before, to create films. This development has already reached the Philippines and is one of the factors that helped not only the local movie industry regain its former glory, but also has encouraged and is enabling new visionaries to enter the previously intimidating field of film-making to produce their own trailblazing projects.

Locally-produced independent films have also proven their international supremacy. Dante Mendoza, for instance, won as Best Director in 2009 Cannes Festival for his independent film Kinatay. His film Tirador also won the Caligari special award in the prestigious Berlin Film Festival in Germany last 2008.

Also worthy of mentioning is Pepe Diokno’s Engkwentro which won the Orrizzonti Prize for Best Feature Film and the Luigi de Laurentiis “Lion of the Future” award in the 66th Venice International Film Festival. Finally, as way back as 2000, Raymond Red’s Anino won the Cannes Palm D’Or in the Short Film Section.

The Hollywood Reporter in 2009 said that “it's not hard to argue that filmmakers from the Philippines occupy the vanguard of a new wave of Southeast Asian movie-making.” The 2008 Guidebook of the 13th Pusan International Film Festival also said that the “Philippines is the newly emerged Mecca for independent films.”

Aside from these and many other international awards and recognitions, our independent films have succeeded as box office hits, proving that with the proper marketing support, these films can reach out to a big audience. Among the commercially successful films are Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank, Zombadings: Patayin Sa Shokot Si Remington, Ded Na Si Lolo, and Ang Pagdadalaga Ni Maximo Oliveros.

The MMFF recognizes and supports the advent and development of independent films in the Philippines. It strongly believes that the independent film industry can be a strong venue for the promotion of fresh and new talents in the Philippines. The MMFF hopes to better facilitate innovation, diversity and originality in Independent Films by further developing its NEW WAVE Section.

II. NEW WAVE FILMS – A New MMFF Award Section:

The year 2010 marked a new era for the MMFF when it hosted the “Tribute to Independent Cinema”, a non-competitive event for the Independent genre, which the Festival later called NEW WAVE. Five independent films were screened in Robinson’s Galeria Cinema as a prelude to the MMFF opening on December 25, 2010.

By 2011, MMDA Chairman Francis N. Tolentino inspired by the continued popularity of independent films in the country and expressing his support to the genre, announced the addition of the NEW WAVE Section to widen the scope of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). This also included a subsection for budding student artists called the STUDENTS' SHORT FILMS, which was headed by renowned director Mark Meily.

This year, the MMFF will continue the tradition of supporting independent films through a bigger, better and bolder NEW WAVE Section.

II. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS (New Wave Films):

For the Preliminary Screening, all entries must submit the following:

1. Film entry in DVD playable format and AVI format (in 5 separate DVD copies) for backup purposes.

2. Hard copy of the entry’s synopsis.

3. Duly accomplished application form (provided by MMFF)

4. List of the main and supporting roles, including the production, technical and creative teams.

5. Film entry in a regular 5x5 inch CD case with slip-on cover containing the following information:

a. Entry Title

b. Total Running Time (TRT)

c. Genre

d. Production Company Address

e. Contact Numbers

f. Director’s name

g. Script Writer/s

6. Poster Design

Entries and requirements must be submitted on or before OCTOBER 25, 2012 at the Office of the MMFF Secretariat, Office of the Chairman, MMDA Main Bldg. EDSA cor. Orense St. Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati City.

Chosen finalists will be announced on November 5, 2012. Chosen finalists must comply with the additional requirements in preparation for judges’ and public screening.

For the FINAL SELECTION, the selected entries must submit the following:

1. Film entry’s movie trailer in DVD format and AVI Format (in 5 separate DVD copies) for backup purposes. Maximum of 1 minute movie trailer will be accepted.

2. Film entry with English subtitles (if the language used is other than Filipino language) in DVD playable format and AVI format (in 5 separate DVD copies) for backup purposes.

3. Two (2) Playbill Poster Designs must be submitted in 20 inches by 30 inches (20” x 30”) and in JPEG format in burned CDs (Soft Copies).

4. Thirty-second movie trailer.

5. Additional requirements as may be determined by the New Wave Feature Film Committee.

III. RULES AND REGULATIONS:

The New Wave films will be chosen based on their content and choice of subject, story and screenplay including the high technical standards for cinematography, production design, sound, editing and other specialized aspects in filmmaking.

Only entries directed and produced by Filipino citizens or of Filipino descent will be accepted.Any member of the MMFF Organizing New Wave Feature Film Committee or their relatives within 4th degree of consanguinity is ineligible to join the competition.Only a maximum of three entries for Full Length Film per production team will be allowed.Only entries which have not been featured in other local and international festivals and competitions are qualified.

2. Entries must have a minimum total running time of seventy five (75) minutes.

3. Entries selected as finalists may not withdraw from the competition, otherwise, a Fifty Thousand Peso (P50,000.00) fine will be imposed and other penalties/charges as may deemed necessary by the festival.

4. Any kind of modification except addition of necessary subtitles will not be allowed for the final entries.

5. In accordance with the copyright laws, music used in any entry must be original, licensed or in the public domain.

6. The MMFF guarantees the safety of the submitted entries throughout the period in its custody. Its obligation is limited only to the replacement cost of the damaged DVDs and reproduction of new copies of entries when unavoidable circumstances like loss or damage happens to the entries.

7. The decision of the Board of Jurors is final and irrevocable. The board reserves the right to give an award in any category should no entry merit it and the organizers and the Board of Jurors are not obliged to justify their decision.

8. MMFF reserves the right to create, revoke, and modify at any time, in any way its entry requirements, rules and regulations at its absolute discretion without prior notice. Finalists and submitted entries shall be bound by any amendments or addition to the entry requirements, rules and regulations herewith.

9. The entries must have been completed within the year 2012.

IV. AWARDS AND RECOGNITION:

Entries will checked for completeness of technical requirements (e.g. total running time, credits, photographs, entry forms, etc.) and will be judged in consideration to the genre as indicated by the contestant. MMFF shall designate the members of the Board of Jurors to scree, choose and identify the winners of the NEW WAVE Full Feature Films Section.

Best Picture -- P300, 000.00

Special Jury Prize -- 200, 000.00

Best Actor -- 50, 000.00

Best Actres -- 50, 000.00

Best Director -- 50, 000.00

V. CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES:

Aug. 2012 : Start of the Submission of Entries

Sept. 2012 : Declaration of Support (with Metro Manila Mayors, Representatives from different Universities)

Oct. 25, 2012 : Deadline for submission of entries

Oct. 25 – Nov. 5, 2012 : Selection of Official Entries

Nov. 5, 2012 : Announcement of Chosen Entries

Dec. 3 - 5, 2012 : Board of Jurors Screening

Dec. 18, 2012 : Gala Screening of the NEW WAVE Feature Films and New Wave Student Short Films (Note: The screening of the New Wave Feature Films shall be simultaneously held in TWO cinemas.)

Dec. 19 - 22, 2012 : Showing of Official Entries in Selected Metro Manila Theaters

Dec. 27, 2012 : Deliberation in the Morning / Awards Night at the Meralco Theater

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