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.’
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.
The titles of the entries of those who did not make it to the Top 6 were not revealed, so only the jurors and Cahilig know the title of Lim's screenplay.
The six finalists are expected to begin shooting their films first day of February. They are required to submit their completed films on 1 March.
Student category
The Top 6 films will be screened on 15 to 17 March at Gateway cinema in Cubao, along with the works of the 25 finalists in the student category. The students' script submissions were for short films with a maximum length of 15 minutes, including opening billboards and closing credits.
Each student finalist received a P100,000 grant. All finalists (including the first six mentioned above) will also receive complimentary color grading from Optima Digital for their respective films, as well as essential groceries from Puregold to further support them during the production phase.
The jurors were veteran film-TV director Jeffrey Jeturian; award-winning filmmaker Victor Villanueva; Puregold senior marketing manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad; Lyle Gonzales of Republic Creative; and Cahilig, an indie filmmaker himself who used to be a talent manager.
The 25 finalists in the student division were chosen from a short list of 40 scripts submitted. Eight of the 25 finalists are from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines: Ma.Rafaela Mae Abucejo, Alexa Moneii Agaloos, Patricia Dalluay, Terrence Gale Fernandez, Ronjay Mendiola, BMark Terence Molave, Andrea S. Ponce and Tyrone Lean Taotao.
Three finalists are from the University of the Philippines-Visayas: Jonah Pearl Demonteverde, Doxford Perlas and Marian Jayce Tiongzon.
The rest are from schools in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Some of the scripts are in the language of the region where their respective schools are located.
The other student finalists are: Jenievive Adame,Kent Michael Cadungog, John Pistol Carmen, Chrisha Eseo Cataag, Joshua Andrey Doce, Neil Espino, Daniel Gil, Alexandra Lapid, Deutsche Colle Rigorosa Lima and Dizelle Masilun.
Biggest wish
Lim revealed at the recent media conference for his new series on GMA 7, Love. Die. Repeat. that his biggest wish at present is to be asked by GMA Films to direct a film.
He has actually helmed several films, though moviegoers or reviewers hardly seem to remember those films.
In 2019, he had his Cinemalaya directorial debut with Tabon. In 2021, Lim directed the series Pasabuy (2021) for an online streaming platform.
He also did an adaptation of Ibong Adarna, told through the eyes of puppets and produced by the Cultural Center of the Philippines. There was also an independent film festival where Xian directed a "horror film with a twist."
In January last year, he directed Hello, Universe for Viva Films, starring Janno Gibbs, Anjo Yllana and Benjie Paras.
Meanwhile, Lim's Love. Die. Repeat is now airing on primetime across ex-girlfriend Chiu's Linlang on various ABS-CBN platforms.
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