Mindanao filmmakers to host a week-long workshop in Davao Davao City

Independent filmmakers from Sine Mindanao will conduct a week-long film workshop on May 23-29, 2016 at Lantaw Bukid, Los Amigos, Davao City to bring stories of the indigenous grassroots to the big screen. The workshop, dubbed “Sine Mindanaw Film Camp,” is an open invitation to all new and experienced filmmakers in the island.

It is first in the city to promote budding filmmakers, said Arbi Barbarona, who is a creator of several short films about Mindanao. With a theme, “Develop and create more progressive films that convey advocacies of the people,” the film camp will be different from other workshops, he 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 filmmaking work. Barbarona cited Mindanao talents, including the organizers of the Nabunturan Indie Film Festival, and the production crew of the 2015 Mindanao Filmfest best movie “Pakot.”

Also a resource person will be the groups’ member, Arnel Mardoquio, Gawad Urian nominee and two-time Palanca awardee, whose outstanding works on film include “Hunghung sa Yuta” (Whispher of the land), Hospital Boat, Shieka, and the Gawad Urian best film ‘Ang Paglalakbay ng mga Bituin sa Gabing Madilim.” The event also aims to “inspire novice and seasoned filmmakers to look at the cultural lens on the peoples and cultures of Mindanao,” Barbarona said. “We hope people will grab this opportunity to take part of a ground-breaking workshop with a Mindanaoan perspective and Flavor,” he added.