Baguio short film, “14 Days” by director, Nars Santos made it to the finals of the Sinag Maynila Film Festival 2024.
Santos said “14 Days” selected as a finalist provides encouragement to regional independent filmmakers to continue creating short films about stories from their respective regions, which are often overlooked.”
14 DAYS is a story of a PNP trainee Elijah, who, before graduating, is tasked with watching over Arvin, a law student and part-time tour guide who has recently been exposed to a positive COVID-19 case.
Sinag Maynila Film Festival returns after four years with seven full-length feature films, seven documentaries, and ten short films created by today’s most exciting Filipino filmmakers.
Santos said “14 Days” is a film that explores how people behave during periods of isolation amid the specter of uncertainty and disease, whether the behaviors exhibited during these challenging times genuinely reflect the individuals involved. Moreover, set against the mesmerizing backdrop of Baguio City and the Benguet countryside, the film provides a subtle but critical commentary on the macho culture prevalent in the highland region,” said the writer and director of “14 Days,” which bagged the Crossing Borders Award during the first Montanosa Film Festival 2021.
Other Sinag Maynila Film Festival short films include “Ang Maniniyot ni Papa Jisos” (Father Jisos’ Photographer) by Franky Arrocena, “As the Moth Flies” by Gayle Oblea, “Bisan Abo Wala Bilin” (Even Ashes, Nothing Remains) by Kyd Torato, “Kiyaw” (Hill Myna) by Jericho Jeriel, “ILO” by Serafin Emmanuel P. Catangay, “Mananguete” (The Coconut Sap Collector) by Mery Grace Rama-Mission, “Ina Bulan” by Melver Ritz L. Gomez, “Sa Paglupad Ka Banong” (The Flight of Banog) by Elvert Bañares, and “Suka and Toyo Can Make Adobo (Vinegar and Soy Sauce Can Make Adobo) by Jude Matanguihan.
Sinag Maynila finalists were chosen from hundreds of entries received from Filipino filmmakers from all over the globe.
For the full-length feature films, these are the social drama “The Gospel of the Beast” by Sheron Dayoc starring Janssen Magpusao and Ronnie Lazaro; the family drama “Her Locket” by J.E. Tiglao starring producer-lead actress Rebecca Chuaunsu and Elora Españo; the action picture “Banjo” written, directed and starring Bryan Wong; the OFW-themed romance shot in Canada by Benedict Mique entitled “Maple Leaf Dreams” starring Kira Balinger and LA Santos; the psychological thriller “What You Did” by Joan Lopez Flores starring Tony Labrusca, Mary Joy Apostol, Epy Quizon, Mercedes Cabral and Ana Abad Santos; the drama “Salome” by Gutierrez Mangansakan II with Perry Dizon, Tommy Alejandrino, and Dolly de Leon in the cast; and the thriller “Talahib” (Legend of the Tall Grass) by Alvin Yapan starring Joem Bascon, Gillian Vicencio and Kristoff Garcia.
For the documentary section included are “Ghosts of Kalantiaw” by Chuck Escasa, “Ino” by Ranniel Semana, “Natatanging Palayok” (The Exceptional Pot) by Ein Gil Randall S. Camuñas, “Pag-Ibig Ang Mananaig” (Love Will Prevail) by Jenina Denise A. Domingo, “Panatag” (Tranquil) by Allan Lazaro, “Untitled/ Unfinished” by Matthew Victor Pastor, and “Way of the Balisong” by Paul Factora.
Of these, ten films — “Way of the Balisong,” “Pag-Ibig ang Mananaig,” “Maple Leaf Dreams,” “What You Did,” “Banjo,” “Salome,” “Talahib,” “Kiyaw,” “Ina Bulan” and “Bisan Abo, Wala Bilin”— are world premieres; one film, “Untitled/Unfinished” is an international premiere, and “Her Locket” is a Philippine premiere. Maria Elena Catajan
