Cinemalaya aims for 100K attendance on 13th year

NEWS

Cinemalaya, the country's largest independent film festival, is aiming to rake in 100,000 viewers this year, according to its festival director Chris Millado.

Millado made the announcement during the festival's opening ceremonies on Aug. 4, to kick off Cinemalaya's 13th year. In 2016, Cinemalaya had about 70,000 viewers.

Despite canceling its venues in Cebu and Laguna, Cinemalaya has opened another satellite venue, which is in Marque Mall in Pampanga. Aside from the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Cinemalaya films will be screened in Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 1, Trinoma, Fairview Terraces and UP Town Center.

Millado also explained the theme of this year's festival. According to him, "See the Big Picture" means that we have to see films on the big screen because of the kind of experience that it offers. It also means that people should see the bigger picture in the film industry and seek out other local independent film festivals, not just Cinemalaya.

The opening ceremonies also saw the Philippine Madrigal Singers rendering a heartfelt tribute to the late composer Willy Cruz. The directors of the full-length and short film competition entries were also introduced, followed by the screening of the opening film, Mikhail Red's "Birdshot."