The eagerly awaited Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival officially unveiled a selection of 55 shortlisted entries on November 6, chosen from a pool of 270 submissions in its inaugural edition.
Dedicated to highlighting the triumphs and resilience of the Filipino spirit, as well as the beauty found in everyday victories, Puregold CinePanalo has enlisted the talents of 15 established and promising directors for the full-length category. Additionally, 40 student filmmakers have successfully advanced to the first round of the short film category.
Moving forward, the shortlisted entries will progress to the subsequent stages of the competition. Puregold is set to grant a significant sum of P2,500,000 to each of the five selected directors in the full-length category. Furthermore, 25 grants, each amounting to P100,000, will be awarded to promising amateur directors in the short film category.
Vincent Co, President of Puregold, expressed gratitude and excitement in response to the overwhelming number of submissions received for the festival. He remarked, “We are incredibly pleased with the numerous entries we received, with student submissions spanning across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.”
Puregold CinePanalo attracted 125 entries for the full-length category and 135 entries for the student shorts category.
Shortlisted directors in the full-length category are as follows:
Carlo Obispo
Xian Lim
Viggo Franco
Joel Ferrer
Alphie Velasco
Joseph Andrew Santos Abello
Juan Carlo Balasbas Tarobal
Ezekiel M. Ferrer
RC Delos Reyes
Ma. Jasmin Celestina C. Bernardino
Raynier F. Brizuela
Kurt Steven Yu Soberano
Eugene Torres
Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo
Mark Norman Boquiren
Roman Perez Jr.
Meanwhile, the shortlisted directors for the student shorts category are:
Reutsche Colle Rigurosa Lima (University of San Carlos)
Jean A. Evangelista (De La Salle College of Saint Benilde)
John Pistol L. Carmen (Bicol University)
Chrisha Eseo Cataag (Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng San Pablo)
Joanah Pearl Demonteverde (University of the Philippines – Visayas)
Mel Jose Cadalin Tutor (Asia Pacific Film Institute)
Edz Haniel Teñido Purificacion (Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna)
Manilie Ang Teston (Emilio Aguinaldo College Manila)
Terrence Gale Fernandez (Polytechnic University of the Philippines)
Andrea S. Ponce (Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Sta. Mesa)
Tyrone Lean J. Taotao (Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Sta. Mesa)
Marian Jayce R. Tiongzon (University of the Philippines – Visayas)
Marc John C. Guevarra (De La Salle College of Saint Benilde)
Jose Mikyl Medina (De La Salle University)
Alexa Moneii Agaloos (Polytechnic University of the Philippines)
Dizelle C. Masilungan (University of Santo Tomas)
Cedric Dalangin (University of the Philippines)
Ma. Anne Sofhia S. Flores (Lyceum of the Philippines University – Manila)
Krizlynn Erl A. Atienza (Our Lady of Caysasay Academy)
Mark Terence Molave (Polytechnic University of the Philippines)
Daniel Gil (Ateneo de Davao University)
Lyka B. Rojo (Lyceum of the Philippines University – Manila)
Kent Michael Cadungog (University of the Philippines)
Alexandra Lapid (Mapúa University)
Carlo James Buan (Colegio de San Juan de Letran)
Kim Sheenlee Laudato (Doña Montserrat Lopez Memorial High School – Silay City)
John Wilbert Llever Sucaldito (Far Eastern University)
Timothy Seth L. Dela Llana (De La Salle College of Saint Benilde)
Ronjay-C Mendiola (Polytechnic University of the Philippines)
John Matthew Valle Samson (Ateneo de Manila University).
Joshua Andrey A. Doce (Bicol State College of Applied Science and Technology)
Jenievive B. Adame (STI College Cubao)
Patricia Mae T. Dacanay (Faith Colleges)
Kean Gaius D. Magno (College of Saint Anthony)
Doxford D. Perlas (University of the Philippines – Visayas)
Jhunel Ruth A. Monterde (De La Salle College of Saint Benilde)
Ma. Rafaela Mae Abucejo (Polytechnic University of the Philippines)
Clyde Gamale (University of the Philippines Film Institute)
Patricia W. Dalluay (Polytechnic University of the Philippines)
Neil M. Espino (De La Salle Lipa)
The panel of judges presiding over the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival includes Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, Puregold’s Senior Marketing Manager; Chris Cahilig, the festival director and filmmaker; directors Lemuel Lorca and Emmanuel dela Cruz, acknowledged for their significant contributions to Philippine cinema; and Tito Valiente, a writer and film critic. Their collective expertise ensures a fair and comprehensive evaluation of the exceptional entries participating in the festival.
Vincent emphasizes, “Puregold remains committed to our retailtainment initiatives. Through CinePanalo, and the outstanding creativity demonstrated by students and directors, we continue to engage with our loyal customers and reach new audiences beyond our stores.”
Chris Cahilig, the festival director and a respected filmmaker, shares, “The entries we received exemplify artistic excellence. Although it was a challenge to narrow down our selection, we are genuinely pleased with the deep pool of remarkable talent within the Filipino filmmaking industry. It will be an honor to showcase these films to broader audiences.”
In the final phase, Puregold will carefully select the ultimate finalists from the shortlist, who will then proceed with script finalization and subsequent production.
All participants are required to submit their completed films by March 1, 2024, with short films having a runtime of 20 to 30 minutes and full-length features extending to a minimum of 90 minutes.
The prestigious Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival will present the completed films over three days at the Gateway Cinemas in Cubao from March 8 to 10, 2024, with potential regional screenings to follow.
In addition to the generous grants, the final Puregold CinePanalo films will be eligible for coveted awards to be presented on March 9, adding an extra layer of surprise and anticipation to the event.
Fully produced short film entries will also be uploaded to the official Puregold Channel on YouTube, joining the channel’s successful digital narratives, such as “GVBoys,” “Ang Babae sa Likod ng Face Mask,” “52 Weeks,” “Ang Lalaki sa Likod ng Profile,” and “My Plantito.”
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