HAGONOY, Bulacan – A young Bulakenyo filmmaker and six others were feted in the Indie Un-Film 2012 annual interschool digital film competition held at the De La Salle University (DLSU).
Herwin Cabasal, a 26-year old filmmaker and student of the Asia Pacific Film Institute (APFI) grabbed the best director and best screenplay awards for his short film “Viscera”.
This is the third award in just a month received by Cabasal for the said film after he received the best director award in the 8th Art Film Festival held at the Philippine Women’s University in early March.
The other winners are Gian Caluag, also of APFI who received the best experimental video award for his film “My 2nd Short or How She Couldn’t Get Out of that Staircase”; Natileigh Sitoy of DLSU College of St. Benilde who earned the best music video for here “Bright Yellow” film.
The best documentary film was awarded to “Banat ni Balagtas” by Ma. Veronica Santiago of the Far Eastern University; while the best feature film was awarded to “Delusyon”, a short film produced and directed by Archie Miranda and Kel Serrano, both of the DLSU College of St. Benilde.
The best cinematography and people’s choice awards were snatched by Kat de Silva’s “On Thin Ice.” De Silva is a student of DLSU.
“It is another surprise, a double surprise, I feel so blessed. It’s a back-to-back birthday gift for me. I’ve never thought that my short film would have come that far. It inspires me to always be the best in what I do, win or lose.” said Cabasal, who turned 26 last March 24.
Like in the 8th Art Film Festival held at the PWU, he said that he did not expect to win.
Cabasal said that joining the annual interschool digital film competition at DLSU was part of his attempt get more critique on his film.
“I want to know what judges think of my film and it was fortunate that it was given recognition,” said Cabasal who also works at ABS-CBN.
For winning the best director and best screenplay award, Cabasal took home a total of P8,000 cash prize.
“I won a total of P8,000. It’s a big help for me to add the cash prize to our budget for the next film. More than the prize, the recognition that has been given to us filmmakers, mean a lot to us,” he said.
For fellow young and aspiring film makers, he said, “always be the best in everything you do. If you love what you’re doing, no matter how hard the circumstances are, you will always strive hard to reach your dreams. Every great thing started in a dream, so don’t be afraid to dream big.”
“In filmmaking, be a good observant in your society. Every good story is just around waiting for us to tell. It’s up to you as an artist on how you would tell that story through the medium of filmmaking,” he added.
