DAVAO CITY – Independent filmmakers from Mindanao will conduct a week-long film workshop here aiming to bring out stories of Mindanao’s people and culture.
The workshop, dubbed Sine Mindanaw Film Camp, is open to all new and experienced filmmakers in the island.
Arbi Barbarona, one of the camp’s organizers said the event is “a first in the city to promote budding filmmakers.”
Barbarona, himself has created several short films about Mindanao. The film Pakot, which Barbarona produced and where he was a cinematographer, bagged the Best Film and Best Production Design in the 11th Mindanao Film Festival in December last year.
Barbarona said Mindanao filmmakers and artists “will form a pool of resource persons to impart their skills and knowledge of Mindanao’s culture and struggles, and their experiences in documentary and film making work.”
Among the resource persons is renowned Mindanaoan director, Arnel Mardoquio. Mardoquio is a Gawad Urian nominee and two-time Palanca awardee. His outstanding works on film include “Hunghung sa Yuta” (Whisper of the land), Hospital Boat, Shieka, and the Gawad Urian best film “Ang Paglalakbay ng nga Bituin sa Gabing Madilim”.
“With a theme: ‘Develop and create more progressive films that convey advocacies of the people,’ the film camp will be different from other workshops,” Barbarona said.
He said they also aim to “inspire novice and seasoned filmmakers to look at the cultural lens on the peoples and cultures of Mindanao.”
“We hope people will grab this opportunity to take part of a ground-breaking workshop with a Mindanaoan perspective and flavor,” he added.
The workshop will be held on May 23-29 at the Lantaw Bukid Resort, Km 22, Los Amigos Tugbok, Davao City. For details you may contact Mark Henry at 0998-791-4377 or email them at sinemindanawfilms@gmail.com . (davaotoday.com)
