| Official poster from Hannah May Ybalez
Cebu City, Philippines—Another Cebuano short film has made it to the official roster in the 31st Gawad Alternatibo.
Hannah May Ybalez confirmed to CDN Digital that her Sinulog Short Film Festival 2019 entry, “Tinagsip” will be competing with 30 other entries from around the country under the Short Feature category.
This is the second Cebuano short film entry in the prestigious competition.
Read more: Sinulog Short Film Festival entry makes it to Gawad Alternatibo
“I am very overwhelmed and happy that my film “Tinagsip” made it to Gawad Alternatibo. I am proud and grateful to the whole cast and crew, to the people behind the event, to my family, and to everyone who supported and believed in us from the very beginning,” the 23-year-old filmmaker said.
Gawad Alternatibo is an independent film competition which runs from August 3 to 5, 2019 at the Tanghalang Manuel Conde in Pasay City.
This is a component of Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, which recognizes Filipino films in four categories which are Short Feature, Documentary, Animation, and Experimental.
“Tinagsip” is headlined by Sara Valiente, Maria Victoria Beltran, and Jelo John Niño Espinosa. The film is also written by Ronnie Gamboa Jr.
Even if it is a Cebuano film, the non-Cebuano audience can still understand as they provide English subtitles.
The short film is about coping with depression, among others. The film tackles on how life becomes unpredictable and that everyone has to face problems along the way.
“If you get to the point that you want to give up, you should not. No matter how difficult the problem may always remember you are not alone you have your family, loved ones, people who care for you that will help you get through the challenges in life,” she said.
Gawad Alternatibo is not “Tinagsip’s” first film festival.
It was one of the official entries of the Sinulog Short Film Festival 2019 in Cebu City, where Espinosa received the Best Child Actor award.
“Tinagsip” was also screened during the Summer for Diwa Filipino Film Showcase 2019 in Seattle Center Armory, Washington, United States of America last June 2019.
Ybalez is a Lapu-Lapu City native who produced award-winning short films in the past.
She produced “Smile” written by Christian Paolo Lat and Van Bomediano which bagged 2nd Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Acting Ensemble in Sparta Film Challenge in 2015 held in Ottawa, Canada.
In 2015, Ybalez also produced “Waves”
together with the Wolfpac Films and won Best Film, Best Story, Best Actress in Sparta XLll in Ottawa, Canada
The same year, Ybalez produced “Red Lights,” which was named Best Film in Ottawa Digital Film Festival 2015 in Ottawa, Canada.
“Red Lights” was screened in Facine International Film Festival in San Francisco, California and Cine Roma DC in Rome, Italy in 2015. /bmjo