The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival is set to celebrate its 20th year with a distinguished jury panel tasked with selecting the winners of the coveted Balanghai trophies. This year’s main competition jury includes:
- Nicanor Tiongson: A prominent critic, creative writer, and academic, Tiongson is a professor emeritus at the UP Film Institute and a founding member of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino. He has also co-founded the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival and served as its congress director.
- Dolly de Leon: Renowned for her exceptional performances in theater, television, and film, De Leon has garnered numerous awards, including Best Supporting Actress at the Metro Manila Film Festival, FAMAS Awards, and Gawad Urian Awards. Her global acclaim includes nominations for the BAFTA and Golden Globe Awards.
- Nicola Marzano: A veteran film curator and producer, Marzano heads the film department at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London. He has served on juries at prestigious festivals such as Sundance and Venice and collaborated with numerous indie film productions.
- Jerrold Tarog: A multi-awarded director, editor, composer, and writer, Tarog is known for his work on films like “Heneral Luna,” “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral,” and various entries in the “Shake, Rattle & Roll” series.
- Ahmed Muztaba Zamal: A key figure in Bangladeshi cinema, Zamal is the founder and festival director of the Dhaka International Film Festival and has served on juries at major international festivals like Cannes and Berlinale.
The NETPAC (Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema) Award jury features:
- Nina Kochelyaeva: A producer and film educator with a Ph.D. in History, Kochelyaeva has a distinguished career in film education and festival programming, including roles at the Moscow International Film Festival and Kazan International Festival for Muslim Cinema.
- Monster Jimenez: A producer, filmmaker, and documentary advocate, Jimenez is the managing director of This Side Up and a co-founder of the Filipino Documentary Society. Her credits include Sundance-winning “Leonor Will Never Die” and other notable projects.
- Jay Abello: A cinematographer and director with over 25 years in the industry, Abello has been involved in numerous Cinemalaya films and is known for his work with esteemed Filipino directors.
Cinemalaya 20 will kick off on August 2 with a red carpet event, an opening program, and a screening of Sheron Dayoc’s Gospel of the Beast. The festival runs until August 11 at Ayala Malls Manila Bay and select Ayala Malls Cinemas.
For more details, visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) and the Cinemalaya website (www.cinemalaya.org). Follow the official CCP and Cinemalaya pages on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for updates.
