To emphasize the importance of developing regional films, the Davao film community together with Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC) conducted Sandaan: The Davao Films Retrospective, a film screening and forum in line with the celebration of 100 years of Philippine Cinema.
The National Artist for Film and the Father of the Independent Cinema, Eric de Guia known as “Kidlat Tahimik” shed light on the national perspective of independent cinema and showcased his latest documentary “Lakaran ni Kabunyan”.
Eric de Guia also known as “Kidlat Tahimik” National Artist for Film and the Father of the Independent Cinema.
“Importante sa akin ang regional development sa films, yung regional content at regional awareness and identity ang habol ko rito. I’m curious what kinds of works are here. Sana balikan natin yung magagandang kuwento natin and that’s part of my mission,” Mr. Kidlat stressed.
The three-day event co-organized by Man Overboard Production, Mindanao Film and Television Development, Inc. and Pasalidahay screened various award-winning films produced by renowned Davao filmmakers and held series of talks and student forum.
One of the screened films is the short film “Latus” of HCDC alumnus John Paul Seniel, a former news correspondent of GMA Davao. “Latus” bagged Best International Short Film in New York Film Festival in 2011.
John Paul Seniel, director of award-winning film “Latus”.
Another Dabawenyo filmmaker, Jarell Serencio, also an HCDC alumnus and co-organizer of the said event, shared his passion for regional cinema and his desire to further the cause of independent films. Serencio’s short film “Mga Bitoon sa Siyudad” was hailed as Best Short Film in 2019 Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS).
Jarell Serencio, a Davao filmmaker and founder of Man Overboard Productions.
“It’s a good time also na maappreciate natin yung mga dating films, pioneering films of Davao and they’re not just pioneering, they are award-winning films of Davao,” Mr. Jarell Serencio, one of the organizers and the Head of Man Overboard Productions enunciated.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ma. Iris A. Melliza, President of HCDC underscored the significance of the event and the enthusiasm of the young generation towards regional filmmaking.
Dr. Ma. Iris A. Melliza, HCDC President
In her welcome remarks, she emphasized on the role of the participants in “multiplying” what has been started by the Davao and Mindanao filmmakers.
The SANDAAN: The Davao Films Retrospective was held at Holy Cross of Davao College’s Cross Theater on October 3-5 2019 and was attended by Communication students from different schools in the region including Holy Cross of Davao College, Ateneo de Davao University, Davao City National High School, Davao Oriental State University, Malayan Colleges of Mindanao, and Davao del Norte State College. (Chriscelyn Jane B. Gabalunos)