March is Montanosa film festival in Baguio

Arts and Crafts

Jessa P. Samidan 

 Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong issued Executive Order No. 10, series of 2022 declaring March 1-30, 2022 as MFF – the first-ever independent film festival for the Cordillerans in Baguio City.
     This year’s MFF activity will carry the theme, “Mindset Change for Climate Change.”
     Pre-event activities started August last year up to February this year with event coordination, call for entries, promotions and marketing, selection and awarding of grants as well as a filmmaker’s boot camp. Production of films in competition during the period ready for presentations during the festival.
     Activities lined-up for the month of March include several workshops such as: film appreciation, acting for film, story development and scriptwriting, cinematography, directing, production design, lights and sounds, production management, pitching, as well as release and distribution.
     A Film Camp and Filmmakers’ Forum are yet to be scheduled including a movie caravan particularly drive-in cinema, pop-up cinema, movies at the lake, horror movies, plus a Sagada and Ifugao film camp.
    Film screening of the competing entries will also be done in March. Categories area Narrative (10-12 minutes), Documentary (10-12 minutes) and Mobile Phone Short (3-5 minutes).
     Other films to look forward include Cine Luzviminda – Philippine regional films, Cine Montañosa – films from the Cordillera region, and experimental films. There will also be international films to showed from Southeast Asian regional short films and the European film section.
    A music and food fair are included in the list of activities before the closing and awards night.
     The MFF is privately-driven activity with support from the city government while the Creative Baguio City Council (CBCC) is designated as co-presenter and lead implementer for the festival.