ANGELES CITY — In a decade or so, the lines that separate commercial and independent- made films or “indie films” would no longer be as distinguishable in terms of budget size, theme and scope and even featured actors as they are now.
This was how multi-awarded indie filmmaker Jason Paul Laxamana described what he considered as the bright pros- Indie films face bright prospects pects facing the fledgling section of the movie-making industry given the noticeable growing public patronage of indie films here and abroad.
During the media forum dubbed “Batirulan” at the Café Juan of the Holy Angel University (HAU) here organized by the Capampangan in Media, Inc. CAMI) in cooperation with the university and the Social Security System (SSS) last Friday.
Laxamana also said the quiet shift in audience preference for usually low-budgeted and experimental indie movies became more perceptible in 2014 as indicated by the growing number of mainstream performers crossing-over to indie films as well as financiers/investors in such projects.
He said he also noticed the rising demand for this kind of movies in film festivals abroad including rising local viewership. Laxamana copped last year, in a number of Asian film fests such as those in Vietnam and Korea.
A number of director’s awards for the Kapampangan-language film “Magkakabaong” (coffin maker) which his team churned out for a measly budget of P1.8 million as compared to the normal minimum of P40 million budget for mainstream films.
In addition, the film’s screenplay and main actor, Allen Dizon, reaped top awards– feats that prompted members of the House of Representatives and Senate to push for the national recognition ofLaxamana and his team as exponents of spreading global awareness of the Philippines, its people, culture and tradition via indie films.
Laxamana said his award-winning film has been invited to this year’s film festivals in Pune, India; Cleveland, Ohio; and Cairo in Egypt.
His “Magkakabaong” team is also set to churn out this year a new Kapampangan film revolving on the annual January 1st festival in Minalin,Pampanga, called “Aguman Sandok,” where the all-male participants in a parade dress as females in honor of women, traditionally considered as the real power in every Filipino family.
Laxamana also said “Magkakabaong” and his earlier Kapampangan films, like “Babagwa” (spider) and others could be distributed internationally beginning his year as an international film distributor, based in Los Angeles, California, USA, has expressed serious interest in marketing abroad his films and other Philippine-made indie movies.
