BACOLOD CITY – The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) is shining a light on the creative output of emerging filmmakers from Sagay City, Negros Occidental, by showcasing 10 of their short films. These films, which were initially presented at the Margaha Film Festival over the past five years starting in 2020, are available for free viewing from February 17 to 19 at the FDCP Cinematheque Centre Negros in Bacolod City.
The FDCP has expressed enthusiasm about their partnership with the Margaha Film Festival, stating, “We’re thrilled to present a selection of 10 groundbreaking films that explore the rich tapestry of Sagay’s culture.” The films on display include works such as “Pirata” by Helen Javier Arguelles, “Kining Ambahanon kag Binalaybay ko sa Imo” by Kent John Desamparado, and “Pandayunon” by Jo-Ane Pitogo, among others.
These shorts are celebrated by the FDCP as a fresh wave of storytelling in Philippine cinema, with the young filmmakers bringing their unique narratives to the forefront. The Margaha Film Festival, now in its sixth year with the theme SAISayan, was inaugurated in 2020 on the picturesque black sand beaches of Sagay’s Margaha Beach, a locale also known for being the home of the acclaimed visual artist Nunelucio Alvarado.
This year’s festival will feature a total of 18 short films, with 10 of them competing in the inaugural Margaha Philippine Shorts Competition under the theme “Istorya sang Amon Isla,” and eight films having been filmed in Sagay. The festival’s opening and premiere screenings are scheduled for February 22 at Margaha Beach in Barangay Old Sagay.
The Margaha Film Festival is a collaborative effort between the Sagay City government, the FDCP, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the National Committee on Cinema, and other partners.