MANILA, Philippines – Save the dates, Filipino cinephiles! The annual Cinemalaya film festival is returning for its 2024 edition with a promising lineup of new movies from upcoming and veteran local filmmakers. In celebration of its 20th year, the independent film festival will have the theme “ Loob, Lalim, Lakas.” This year’s entries are steered by the values of the Filipino artists’ loob (core) that connects filmmakers to audiences.
Lalim refers to the depth of the entries whose stories convey societal realities that need attention, while the strength or Lakas is portrayed in thought-provoking scripts that push conversations one film at a time. “For two remarkable decades, the cinema has navigated the vastness of Filipino cinematic imagery and creativity,” festival director Chris Millado said in a press conference held on July 10 at the Metropolitan Theatre Ballroom. “This coming August, Cinemalaya enamors anew.
” Kaye Tinga, president of Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), added: “We celebrate the rich tapestry of our culture and inspire future generations to explore realms of truth, beauty, and goodness in their artistic endeavors.” The 2024 edition, aptly called Cinemalaya Bente, will feature 10 short films and 10 full-length movies. It will run for 10 days, from August 2 to 11, at Ayala Malls Manila Bay since the CCP main building is still undergoing renovation.
As of writing, ticket prices and schedules for film screenings have yet to be anno.
