Logo of the Sinag Maynila Film Festival. Photo from Sinag Maynila's Facebook page

After a four-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sinag Maynila Film Festival is set to return this September for its sixth edition.

Founded in 2015, Sinag Maynila is a non-profit film festival born from the vision of Solar Entertainment president and current film festival CEO Wilson Tieng, and Cannes-winning director Brillante Mendoza.

In a statement, Tieng confirmed that Sinag Maynila would return this year in collaboration with Manila City's Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts Office (DTCAM). This year's festival slogan is "Sine Lokal, Pang-International." 

"Lahat ng sumali at nanalo are now successful directors sa teleserye. Sila Zig Dulay, Lawrence Fajardo at si Adolf Alix at marami pang iba. Napakadami ng project nila at malaki rin ang projects sa TV and their films are sold abroad sa mga film markets, kaya napakalaking bagay itong Sinag Maynila," said Tieng.

In an interview, Mendoza said the essence of Sinag Maynila is to give a voice to Filipino filmmakers, establishing their identity at the national and international level.

"Hindi biro ang magpalabas ng pelikula sa sinehan, especially if ang mga pelikula mo ay independent ang producers at kakaiba ang kuwento," said Mendoza, highlighting the struggles of independent filmmakers.

"Hindi lang kami nag-iisa, we are not here to compete sa ibang film festival sa Pilipinas kung 'di [gusto naming] mas marami ang venue ng mga young filmmakers na maisali ang film nila," Mendoza said.

The Sinag Maynila will also hold a campus tour, a five-day festival proper, and an awards night at the Metropolitan Theater.

Participating full-length and short films, and documentaries in the Sinag Maynila Film Festival will be screened in select cinemas from September 4 to 8.

FROM THE ARCHIVES