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| (Image Source: GMA Network) |
GMA Network through GMA Pictures, GMA Entertainment Group and GMA Public Affairs will be presenting a variety of highly-engaging films and documentaries at the 2024 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival on August 2-11, 2024 at Ayala Malls Manila Bay Cinemas which serves as the temporary venue of the screenings following the ongoing renovation of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Main Building in Pasay City. GMA Network's participation in Cinemalaya 2024, now on its 20th year, further underscores its commitment to supporting the growth and development of Philippine cinema.
Taking the lead is the highly-anticipated film “Balota", directed by award-winning Kip Oebanda. This thought-provoking film, produced by GMA Pictures and GMA Entertainment Group, is one of the 10 finalists in the full-length films category. It tells the story of Emmy portrayed by Kapuso Primetime Queen Marian Rivera, a dedicated teacher caught in the midst of political turmoil during the Philippine election. Cinemalaya will also be mounting the world premiere of the digitally restored and remastered classic "Jose Rizal", originally produced by GMA Pictures (formerly known as GMA Films) in 1998 at the Manila Metropolitan Theater (MET) as a tribute to Philippine cinema.
Additionally, GMA Public Affairs' first-ever investigative docu-film “Lost Sabungeros" will also be part of the film festival. Directed by the award-winning producer Bryan Brazil, “Lost Sabungeros” delved into the unsolved disappearances of sabungeros (cockfighting enthusiasts) in 2022. The 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival and 2024 Manila International Film Festival Best Picture “Firefly” will also be screened at Cinemalaya 2024 as part of the festival's exhibition program. This coming-of-age road trip drama based on the original story of GMA Public Affairs Senior Assistant Vice President Angeli Atienza and directed by Zig Dulay narrates a moving story of the young Tonton (Euwenn Mikaell) who embarks on a journey to find the mystical land of fireflies based on his mother's bedtime stories.
GMA Public Affairs is also proud to present a collection of critically acclaimed documentaries that showcase the diversity and resilience of the Filipino spirit under Cinemalaya's “Gawad Programming". These include the award-winning i-Witness documentaries Boat To School, Sisid Sa Putik, Ambulansiyang De Paa, and Bawat Barya which shed light on pressing social issues. Further, GMA Public Affairs gave its support to the in-competition film “Alipato at Muog". The movie is directed by JL Burgos and narrates the disappearance of his brother - activist Jonas Burgos. GMA Public Affairs provided archival footage of Jonas used in the film.
