"Singkuwento International Film Festival Announces Call For Film Entries!"

(L-R) Roberto Reyes Ang (Head Board of Jury) and Perry Escaño (Festival Director/Programmer) during SIFFMP Awards Night.

The Singkuwento International Film Festival Manila Philippines (SIFFMP) in cooperation of National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) invites amateur and professional film makers to submit their full length and short films for exhibition and competition.

The SIFFMP is an international film festival that brings you a collection of films that explores different genres ranging from youth to personal relationships to death to growing up to social issues.

The festival’s main objective is to unite various Filipino and foreign filmmakers in our country and around the world and give voices to Filipinos both here and abroad through their films, It also aims to provide a channel for non-Filipinos to share their impressions of the Philippines and its people.

Festival Director and Programmer Perry Escaño announces, “On our third year, there will be a separate category for local and international films in both fictional and documentary films. All films made locally will be under local category. The board of jury headed by Roberto Reyes Ang will select a few Filipino entries for consideration to the international category with consent of the filmmakers. Films entered in the international category will no longer compete in the local category."

“The short films competition is open to students, amateurs and professionals. We are only accepting that must be completed not earlier that January 1, 2014. The maximum running time of short films including opening and closing credit is 30 minutes. Deadline of submission for both films in competition and exhibition is before midnight Manila Standard Time, of December 13,2015. Short films that are already available online for viewing and promotional films are not eligible,” says Escaño.

This year, full length films and documentary films for exhibition will also be accepted. The minimum running time is 1 hour. They must be completed not earlier than January 1, 2013. All films submitted for competition and for exhibition maybe in any language or dialect. All films must be submitted in English subtitles.

How does one submit film entries? Escaño replies. “A private on line link of the film must be sent for pre-screening purposes via email to singkuwento.international@yahoo.com.ph along with entry form, filmmaker’s CV, poster in .jpeg file, three .jpeg files of stills from the film and a profile picture of the filmmaker. The film links must be downloadable. They can visit our FB page Singkuwento International Film Festival Manila Philippines and our SIFFMP website http://siffmp.wix.com/2016.”

Escaño adds, “We are looking for films that can will allow people to have a better appreciation of our impressive Filipino culture and heritage with great messages of Filipino and foreign films to the audience.”

Some of the mainstream films for exhibition in the SIFFMP next year are Louie Ignacio’s “Laut,” which serves as the opening film and world premiere and Joel Lamangan’s “Sekyu,” is the closing film.

World Premiere films are DA Palagtiw’s “Pisara,” Jill Singson Urdaneta’s “Partee, ” Johnny Mahinay’s “Atras” and ” Peter Allan Mariano’s “Babaylan, Silip sa Nakaraan.”

Also in the lineup are Louie Ignacio’s “Child Haus,” Paolo Endrinal Tesico’s “Ligaw,” and Mike Magat’s “Isang Hakbang.”

Documentary films for exhibition are Steven Flor, Martin Galán and Mark Laccay “Racing With The Legends”, and Benito Bautista’s “Harana.”

Other critically-acclaimed films of the award-winning filmmakers both foreign and local for exhibition will be announced soon.

Escaño also invites sponsors to support the three-year old film festival. He says, “This Festival gives them an unrivalled opportunity to meet the right people and present the strengths and merits of their company. It is an opportunity for them to be part of the ever evolving and always exciting Filipino Cinema wave.”

The Singkuwento International Film Festival, Manila, Philippines is slated on February 19 to 27, 2016 at the Tanghalang Leandro Locsin , NCCA Bldg 633 General Luna Street Intramuros Manila. There will also be UP Film Center screenings in March.

SIFFMP Full Access Festival Pass and tickets are available via TicketWorld outlets (891-9999)Website www.ticketworld.com.ph, Ayala and Trinoma Cinemas, Ebay Philippines, Olx.ph and National Bookstore. They can also buy the tickets at the lobby of the NCCA.

The Singkuwento International Film Festival Manila Philippines is brought to you by Juan.com.ph, YSA Skin and Body Experts, NailFiles, and NCCA.