FDCP’s Sine Kabataan Awards P100K Film Grants to 10 Finalists

Ten (10) young filmmakers have been selected as finalists in the 4th edition of the Sine Kabataan Short Film Competition and will each receive a PHP 100,000 grant as fund to use in the production of their respective short films. 

Organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and as an accompanying youth film competition with its banner Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP), Sine Kabataan gives a platform to all aspiring young filmmakers aged 18 to 30 and provides an opportunity to expose their fresh talents. This serves to encourage the youth to develop their creativity and originality in storytelling, touching on important issues of today as perceived by the youth. 

After the Sine Kabataan Online Pitch Showcase held last March 20, the Selection Committee composed of filmmakers Alemberg Ang and JP Habac, and FDCP Executive Director Ria Anne Rubia picked 10 finalists among the pool of over 200 outstanding projects with a shortlist of 18 story concepts. 

The 18 filmmakers went through an intensive online Story Development Lab last year focusing on their scripts, and attended a Pitching Lab to master how to effectively pitch their projects to possible co-producers and financiers. The top 10 finalists will undergo the Safe Filming Lab and Editing Lab before their final exhibition at PPP 2021.  

The 10 Official Finalists of Sine Kabataan 4 Short Film Competition: 

Abot Kamay Ang Langit by Brian Spencer B. Reyes

After waking up in an empty city, two street kids have all the freedom to do whatever they want. 

Ang Bunga sa Tiyan ni Adam by Ella Louise B. Salomon

A teenage boy tells his girlfriend he is pregnant after taking a pregnancy test. 

Jombi by Angela Francesca V. Andres

A bullied gloomy girl finds out her friend is a zombie.

Mga Ulap Tayong Nagiging Ulan by Demetrio E. Celestino III

An anthropomorphic cloud named Ulap shares how it achieves small wins in this natural cycle of life, one that dwells on the commonality that suggests “mga ulap tayong nagiging ulan”.

Reconnected by Judd Bradley Avelino

After a total blackout ruins his daily routine, a 20-year-old man goes out to experience the world with only physical connection. 

Love in the Ungodly Hour by Bradley Jason Pantajo

As two young men reconnect with each other, questions about the past begin to arise. 

Si Jet at ang Dark Lord ng Dol Gurskul by Terence Giourdan Gonzalves

A young boy cuts class to plot his revenge with his imaginary friends against Dark Lord Marcoth. 

Ang Alamat ng Prinsipe at Mandirigma by Jacob Mikhail U. Collado

After being scolded by his father for a leaked sex tape online, his younger brother tells him a story in a makeshift blanket fortress. 

Ang Balay ni Conrad by Ardinian Jaq Sanque

A homeless boy trying to build himself a house on the side of the street rescues a boy whose life is the exact opposite of his.

Jeremy Supot by James Allen Fajardo

Harassed by school bullies for being uncut, a teenage boy decides to sell his cellphone to afford circumcision. 

Established in 2017, Sine Kabataan is conducted alongside the PPP wherein the finalists’ short films are screened nationwide during the PPP duration, with one short film shown before an official PPP entry.

“We are truly proud that Sine Kabataan this year is able to provide funding support for the production of short films of very promising filmmakers all over the country. Let us continue to nurture our young filmmakers by giving them platforms to tackle issues relevant to the youth. This is the goal of Sine Kabataan and we commend the finalists for bravely covering themes such as the impact of technology to society, poverty, social divide, bullying, family, HIV, teenage pregnancy, LGBT, and mental health,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño.

In September 2020, filmmakers of the shortlisted projects were also given access to masterclasses in FDCP’s Film Industry Conference and Workshop Series Online. 

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/SineKabataan.