Sagay City in Negros Occidental has announced the launch of the Margaha Philippine Shorts Competition, themed ‘Istorya sang Amon Isla,’ as part of the 6th Margaha Film Festival. The festival, known as SineMargaha, will take place along the scenic Margaha black sand beach in northern Negros. Helen Cutillar, the festival director, explained that this new competition aims to expand the festival’s scope by highlighting more stories from across the Philippine islands, while maintaining a focus on local heritage and culture. The competition will select 10 finalists whose short films delve into the narratives of the islands, mountains, seas, and the diverse communities of the Philippines. Films submitted must be between 10 to 20 minutes long and produced by Filipino filmmakers from January 1, 2023, to October 31, 2024. Entries must be submitted by January 30, 2025, via the provided link. The entry fees will support the Balhasanay Filmmaking Movement, a local filmmaking initiative in Sagay City. The Margaha Film Festival, in collaboration with the Film Development Council of the Philippines, is scheduled for the last week of February, coinciding with National Arts Month celebrations.
