The 12 finalists of Nespresso Vertical Shorts 2018 with Cultural Center of the Philippines deputy festival director Tess Rances (far left) and Novateur Coffee Concepts Inc. managing director Patrick Pesengco (far right). Nespresso Cinemalaya Vertical Shorts Competition announces winners

The idea came from stories about coffee, the experiences of customers and the heritage as a brand. We think that many millennials are interested not just in coffee, but they also have stories to tell.

Hindi lang buhay ang kailangan pagmalasakitan…” (It is not just life that we need concern for) and so goes the winning shorts film of the Nespresso Cinemalaya Vertical Shorts Competition, the latest component of this year’s Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival.

“SLN” by Brian Spencer Reyes won the top prize for its compelling story about a cemetery attendant who goes beyond her duty to ensure that the graves are tended and the departed souls never forgotten.

The second prize went to “Braveheart” by Kevin Tuason, a film about family, while “Ako – To Take Responsibility” by Jonel Revistual, which is about finding compassion for Mother Earth, won third place.

The three winners were awarded during Cinemalaya’s Awards Night on 12 August at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ (CCP) Main Theater. The first-place winner received P50,000 in cash. The second and third place winners were given P30,000 and P20,000, respectively. All winners also took home state-of-the-art Nespresso machines and coffee capsule packages.

The vertical shorts competition was first launched last June.

“Late last year, Nestor Jardin told us that Nespresso wanted to partner with us for this year’s Cinemalaya festival. We know that Nespresso is a good brand, so we were excited about it. We didn’t know that they have been supporting filmmakers. Like how we started Cinemalaya 14 years ago, we experienced growing pains in coming up with guidelines for the Nespresso vertical shorts competition. We want nothing but the best,” shared Cinemalaya deputy festival director Teresa Rances during the gala of the competition at the CCP’s Little Theater.

Novateur Coffee Concepts Inc. marketing manager Mia Silva added: “Globally, Nespresso supports culinary and film. We believe storytelling is part of our DNA. We do have the Nespresso Talents, a global campaign for filmmakers in Europe and USA. We thought we have to honor our DNA and should come up with similar campaign in the Philippines. It is natural to have Cinemalaya as our partner.”

The global leader in coffee wanted to create an avenue where the Filipino’s talent for storytelling can be celebrated and shared with everyone. This initiative into the creative arts aims to bring together talented directors, cinematographers and storytellers and challenge them to share compelling narratives in three minutes.

Rances, finalist Kevin Tuason, a representative for the film “Braveheart” and Pesengco during the awarding ceremony. “The idea came from stories about coffee, the experiences of customers, and the heritage as a brand. We think that many millennials are interested not just in coffee, but they also have stories to tell. We are the first country in Asia to hold this kind of competition. We thought it is good for us to spearhead it because our filmmakers are talented. We have been exporting our talents far and wide. Our artists can be found in Asia, Europe and USA. Our filmmakers are very dynamic and innovative,” shared Silva.

From over 30 submitted entries, the jurors — composed of playwright-director Chris D. Martinez, Unitel Productions Inc. and StraightShooters Media chief executive officer/president Madonna Tarrayo and Novateur Coffee Concepts Inc. managing director Patrick Pesengco — shortlisted 12 finalists which were previewed on 6 August at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater) and on 11 August at the Tanghalang Manuel Conde (Dream Theater).

Aside from three winning entries, the finalists included Gian Arre’s “Itay,” Ira Lastrilla’s “Kasama,” Arjanmar Rebeta’s “Love Others as Your Selfie,” Ruby Baldevarona’s “Ratsky,” James Golla’s “The Door,” Juan Parohing’s “Pedro Pasahero,” Benny Pioquinto’s “Takipsilim,” Christan Tan’s “Kapit Lang” and Michael Sy Yu’s “Yakap.”

“Like a great cup of coffee, these films become an all-sensory experience that allow you to reflect, think deep, and encourage others to do something different and amazing,” Pesengco said.

The three-minute-long films revolve around “Pagmamalasakit” (Empathy), a Filipino value that Nespresso believes we should all have. Each short film tackles the challenging realities and bittersweet moments in the life of a Filipino.

“For us — as a nation — to move forward, we should have empathy not only for ourselves and family, but for our country, our neighbors, the company and the people we work with.

That is what we want to hype and shed light on. Historically, we have progressed because we have pagmamalasakit for our country,” Silva said.

With this year’s turnout, the Nespresso hopes the competition has inspired passion, excellence and innovation among the Filipino people, as well as it has contributed to the country in its own little way.

“It was inspiring to see the pure, creative talents of this new generation of filmmakers, and we are excited to share with Filipino audiences their amazing stories,” Tarrayo and Martinez said.

Award-winning playwright, screenwriter, author and director Chris D. Martinez, president and chief executive officer of Unitel Productions Inc. and StraightShooters Media Madonna Tarrayo and Pesengco during the ceremony.