The Margaha Film Festival, now on its 6th year, will showcase 18 short films and is set to hold its grand opening and film premieres at Margaha Beach, Brgy. Old Sagay, Sagay City, on Saturday, February 22.
This year, the festival introduces two new categories: the Sagaynon Shorts and the Philippine Shorts Competition, reflecting its mission to grow and celebrate island stories from across the Philippines, a press release from the organizers said.
Among the films competing in the Sagaynon Shorts category were “Walo Walo: Walo ka Adlaw nga Kanay, Walo ka Adlaw nga Labugay” directed by Mery Grace Mission, “Babaye sa Bubon” by Ginboy Bataclit, “Ga Ano Kamo?” by Thirdy Macam, “Macamilco: Isa ka Balinghoy ang Kalibutan” by Ry Cortez and Crispel Jhun Ducay, “Kabay Pa” by Kent Raven Ardeña;
“Pagpanginyawat” by Bert John Desphy, “Si Sir kag ang Gamay nga Bata” by Seb Valdez , “Mga Hutik kag Tinago” by Rhyne Angel Dayaganon, “Hangaway” by Levi James Arellano, and “1945: Fight for Freedom” by John Fritz Ardeña.
The Sagaynon shorts each received a P40,000 seed fund from the Office of Sagay City Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva, with assistance from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Film Development Council of the Philippines.
For the Philippine Shorts Competition, eight films from across the country will be competing including “A Crab from a Conch Shell” by Jermaine Tulbo, “Ang Maniniyot ni Papa Jisos” by Franky Arrocena, “Old World” by Roland Cartagena, “Pagtaghoy sa Hangin” by Kyle Erika Saycon;
“Sa Ilalum sa Balabal sa Alitaptap” by Juvy Ann Clarito, “Sino Nagaeog-Gaeog sa Eugan-Eugan?” by Anjo Salmorin, “Subasko” by Alleison Dimatulac, and “Transients” by Kyla Danelle Romero.
Festival Director Helen Arguelles-Cutillar said that the variety of films this year makes the festival more exciting as they tells stories of local heritage, culture, and even unique sensibilities not just of every communities of Sagay but of various regions in the Philippines.
“We are proud to introduce our 18 short films this year and we look forward to making the festival experience more exciting this time”, Arguelles-Cutillar said.
THE 10-PANEL JURY
With the expansion of the festival, SineMargaha this year also introduces a 10-panel jury for both competitions.
These include film educator and film critic Tito Valiente, NCCA-National Committee on Cinema Chairperson Butch Ibañez, film educator Jose Antonio Garcia, Bakunawa Film Festival Director and multi-disciplinary artist Elvert Bañares, Negros Museum Executive Director Tanya Lopez;
Filmmaker and Active Vista Human Rights Film Festival Director Alex Poblete, Visayan artist and actress Chai Fonacier, filmmaker and FDCP Head of Education Rica Arevalo, artist and writer Kenneth Rivera, and radio anchor and local historian Rod Florentino.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
The festival kicks off on Saturday Feb. 21 with an exclusive Jury Deliberation at 3 p.m. and the festival community gathers for the Filmmakers’ Night at 8:30 p.m., hosted at Enting’s Restaurant.
On Feb. 22, the festival officially opens at Margaha Beach, Brgy. Old Sagay, beginning with the Philippine Shorts Premiere at 3 p.m. and the opening program at 5 p.m. and will continue with the Sagaynon Shorts Premiere at 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 23 is dedicated to a series of workshops and talks at Balay Kauswagan. From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m, Tito Valiente will lead the “Reading Films” Workshop, for State University of Northern Negros (SUNN) faculty, focusing on deeper film analysis and criticism.
Simultaneously, award-winning actress Chai Fonacier will conduct “Actor’s Kutso-Kutso,” a hands-on session for aspiring performers and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) will also spearhead a Scriptwriting Workshop from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The day concludes with the festival’s Awarding Ceremonies at 6:30 p.m.at the Sagay City Public Plaza, where more than 20 awards will be given to the filmmakers participating this year.
The FDCP Scriptwriting Workshop continues on February 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Balay Kauswagan.
From Feb. 23 to 28, public screenings will be held at 5 p.m. onwards at the Sagay City Public Plaza.
On Feb. 26 and 27, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., film screenings and director’s talkbacks will take place at the AGM Hall, State University of Northern Negros, allowing students and film enthusiasts to engage with filmmakers and discuss their creative processes.
The Margaha Film Festival 2025 is presented by the City Government of Sagay, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts – National Committee on Cinema, the Film Development Council of the Philippines, the Office of Vice Mayor Bebo Cueva, and SYANO Artlink.
This is made possible through partnerships with the Office of Neg. Occ. Rep. Alfredo Marañon,III, Rotary Club of Sagay and the State University of Northern Negros, the press release said.*