Actor Xian Lim made it to the short list of 15 would-be finalists in the generously funded first Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival to be held in March this year. But he is not part of the six filmmakers and their entries that were chosen as finalists.

The ex-boyfriend of fellow actor Kim Chiu was announced as part of the short list in November last year. 

Originally, only five entrants were to be chosen as finalists, with each receiving P2.5 million to fund their respective films' production. A sixth finalist was added, dubbed the "Producers' Choice."

The generous festival, according to its director, filmmaker Chris Cahilig, promises to celebrate creativity, diversity and the vibrant spirit of the Filipino people.

Each screenplay submitted must be wholesome, inspiring and family-oriented, revolving around the theme "Mga Kwentong Panalo ng Buhay." The theme echoes Puregold's commitment to bringing out and celebrating the small wins in everyday Filipino life, Cahilig said.

The call for entries closed on 27 October last year.

Those who made it to the short list were chosen by the jurors based on their submitted screenplays. The organizers received 125 entries for the full-length category, and 135 for the student shorts category.  

 Some of 14 others who made it to the list included already established filmmakers, such as Joseph Abello, Sigrid Andrea Bernardo, Rayne Brizuela, RC de los Reyes, Joel Ferrer, Cinemalaya awardee Carlo Obispo and Roman Perez Jr. of Vivamax fame.

The others in the Top 15 are Ma. Jasmin Celestina Bernardino, Mark Norman Boquiren, Ezekiel M. Ferrer, Viggo Franco, Kurt Soberano, Juan Carlos Balasbas Tarobal, Eugene Torres and Alphie Velasco. 

The six who made it as finalists, along with their respective entries, are: Bernardo  Pushcart Tales, Brizuela Boys at the Back, Ferrer Road to Happy,  Obispo A Lab Story, Soberano Piaya Under the Moon and Torres One Day League: Dead Mother, Dead All.

Torres, the "Producers' Choice," and Soberano are first-time filmmakers.