10 memorable things about Cinemalaya

“Ang Babae sa Septic Tank,” “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros,” “Transit,” “Bwakaw.” The films ring a bell, don’t they?

That’s because they have brought honor to our country in international filmfests. But do you know that they are also products of Cinemalaya, the festival of independent film festivals that’s now on its 10th year?

As a toast to a decade of excellent indie filmmaking, Yahoo Philippines sat down with Cinemalaya Foundation president Nestor Jardin and asked about the 10 memorable things Cinemalaya has given us, its captive audience.

Here they are, in no particular order:

1. Body of original works – A total of 118 full feature independent films and 96 short films, many of which won awards in local and international competitions and festivals.

2. Discovery of new filmmakers like Adolf Alix Jr. (“Donsol,” Philippine entry to the Best Foreign Language category of the Oscars in 2007), Francis Pasion ( “Jay,”  the first feature film in competition to be shown in the 2008 Venice International Film Festival)  and Auraeus Solito (Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros, which won 15 international awards).

3. Expanded audience -  The audience count at the CCP in 2005 was a measly 8,400, composed of a small circle of friends and family. It has since ballooned to 82,322 in 2013, fueled by the addition of 10 festival venues moviegoers can go to.

4. Networking – The festival holds annual forums where filmmakers can exchange ideas, collaborate through the Sinetaktakan, Directors’ Talkback, Film Financing Forum, Lectures and forums by film experts and launches of film books.

5. The rise of 'maindies' -  Time was when indie was indie and mainstream was mainstream. No one dared overstep the line. Thanks to Cinemalaya, filmmakers and actors are not only straddling both genres. Indies have started getting accepted in the mainstream market and the maindie phenomenon is here.

“It’s healthy and it has helped some of our actors. Nakikita ko na lang ang mga indie actors sa teleserye at ang mainstream actors sa indie,” notes Jardin.

6. Oscar-worthy films - The Cinemalaya has produced films deemed worthy of representing the

Philippines in the Oscars. These are “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (2006), “Donsol” (2007),  “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank” (2011), “Bwakaw” (2012) and “Transit” (2013).

These films also won recognition from local award-winning bodies.

7. International awards –  Cinemalaya films have put the Philippines on the international filmmaking map. “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros” won Best Film at the Montreal Filmfest. “Enkwentro” won the grand prize, Orizzonti Award and the Luigi De Laurentiis Lion of the Future award at the 66th Venice International Filmfest. “Nino” is co-winner in the New Currents category of the Busan International Filmfest, while “Bisperas” was chosen Best Film in the Asia-Middle East section of the 24th Tokyo International Filmfest.

8. Private sector support - Cinemalaya found a firm believer in businessman Antonio Cojuangco, who

has supported the festival through grants for filmmakers and others. It also has volunteers – among them students - who help run the annual festival pro bono. Another supporter is the Ayala group of companies, which has been providing venues for the festival films.

9. Outreach program - The festival has reached out to 19 cities and towns nationwide. The goal is to teach film education to high school students through film screenings, forums and others the whole year round.

Some of the outreach programs, like the one in Olongapo, were funded by the local government. Others are supported by the universities themselves.

10. Special events – On its 10th year, Cinemalaya plans to honor the festival with a book launch, a major restrospective exhibition and a new animated logo.

(This year's Cinemalaya will be shown on August 1 to 10 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Greenbelt, Trinoma, Alabang Town Center and Terraces theater in Fairview).