In celebration of the 15th year of the country’s biggest and most successful independent film festival and in light of this year’s theme, “Kinse sa Sandaan: Cinemalaya Wave at the Microcinemas,” Cinemalaya brings independent films into mainstream cinemas and microcinemas nationwide.
The Cinemalaya Foundation believes that while film showing worked at Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) venues because it provides people with an interactive viewing experience, there is a continuous challenge to reach more Filipinos and get the message of these films across. This led Cinemalaya to look for alternative distribution partners nationwide.
Beyond its home at CCP, it is a first for Cinemalaya to be shown in Vista Cinemas. It is also the first time for independent films to be projected in 4K laser technology which is the pride of Vista Cinemas. With this technology, cinema-goers are treated with the sharpest, brightest, clearest and most vivid digital images, combined with an immersive audio courtesy of Dolby Atmos. It also boasts its luxury and comfortable seating from world-renowned brands, Figueras and Luxos. Through a better cinema experience in Vista Cinemas, Cinemalaya hopes to encourage more people to support independent films.
Cinemalaya and Vista Cinemas also organized off-site gala nights. The first happened last August 7 at Vista Cinemas Evia in Daang Hari, Las Piñas, signaling the opening of Cinemalaya in mainstream cinemas. The ceremony was led by Cinemalaya Foundation president Laurice Guillen, who related how Cinemalaya was instrumental in helping aspiring filmmakers over the years and how happy she is that some of them are given opportunities in the industry even after Cinemalaya. Also present is Vista Cinemas general manager Christiana Caparas, who gave the welcome remarks.
As one of the 10 finalists in the full-length film category, Pandanggo sa Hukay director Sheryl Rose Andes and casts, Iza Calzado, Diva Montelaba, among others, also graced the event. The movie is a crime suspense drama based on a Palanca award-winning screenplay written by Andrian Legaspi. It is about a 30-year-old midwife in a small town who is preparing for a job interview for overseas employment but was met by a series of unfortunate events. The gala night ended with the showing of the featured film.
Vista Cinemas is also in support of the Cinemalaya Short Shorts (short film) category with the awards night happening in Vista Cinemas Iloilo for Western Visayas and Vista Cinemas Naga for Bicol Region on August 13. Together with Prestiz, Vista Cinemas will be giving three television sets; 168 cinema passes and cash prizes of ₱10,000 each per region. Aside from this, the winning short film will also have the privilege to be shown in Vista Cinemas prior to every regular movie screening.
After the festival, Vista Cinemas plans to continue screening independent films on certain days in its serious pledge to support the local filmmakers and the independent film industry.
Vista Cinemas is located at Evia Lifestyle Center, Vista Mall Taguig, Vista Mall Las Piñas, Vista Mall Pampanga, Vista Mall Bataan, Vista Mall Sta. Rosa, Vista Mall Daang Hari, Vista Mall General Trias, Vista Mall Tanza, Vista Mall Naga and Vista Mall Iloilo.
For inquiries, email [email protected]. Like Vistacinemas on Facebook and Instagram. Tickets are available via www.vistacinemas.com.ph.
