TEN FILMS have been qualified to the 2023 Peter’s Prize for Film.
They also become official selections to this year’s edition of The Peter Solis Nery Foundation International Film Festival, a biennial film fest of three-minute silent films that started in 2019.
***
The ten films, in alphabetical order, are: “Akon Ka Gid” by Joseph Rowen dela Cruz; “Ang Inuba kag ang Isinul-ob” by Lawrence Axel Dichoson; “Ang Madamo nga mga Kinabuhi nga Akon Ginkabuhi Antis Sini” by Richard Olano; “Ang Pagtigbaliw sang Isa ka Tinuga sa Sulod sang Kampo Santo sa Kasisidmon” by Paul Brian Doyohoy; “Ang Pinakamalawig nga Alagyan Pauli” by Roentgen Baring; “Ayos Lang!” by Jeremy Arguelles Azucena; “Lato-lato” by Paul Brian Doyohoy; “Lipas” by Honey Peruelo; “Sa Bilog nga Kahon” by Marcelo Tolentino IV; and “Unexpected Encounter” by Paul Brian Doyohoy.
***
All qualified films are eligible to win the grand prize of P10,000 plus the coveted Peter’s Prize medallion.
Two special jury prizes are also for grabs with cash awards of P1,000 each.
The jury is still be to be composed, and festival screenings can be sometime in September or October together with the awarding of the literature prizes of the 2023 Peter’s Prize.
***
Five films were submitted by Dumangasanons; three of which by just one director.
One film comes from Alimodian.
Two films are from Bacolod; or at least, Negros Occidental.
Two films are from Aklan; or at least, by Aklanons.
***
One director, Richard Olano, our 2019 Peter’s Prize winner for Film, is returning.
The ten films are an exciting mix.
There is queer representation.
There is dance.
There is social realism, and the socially relevant.
There is mental health awareness.
There is old school romance.
***
Of course, I am excited for the eventual winner.
But for now, I am most grateful for the participation, and the continued support of the people.
***
Many people had the good intention of entering the competition.
But as I always say in competitions, Product or result is always better than good intention.
Days before the deadline, people have rushed to make their films.
Some even tried to ask for a deadline extension.
***
I flatly told them, No.
Normally, the Peter’s Prize does not extend deadlines.
That’s how I maintain the respectability and integrity of our contests.
So it is not going to happen that the contest deadline will be moved at the whim of participants.
If you don’t join our contest, that is fine.
But you are not going to change our rules.
We are not going to wait for you.
***
This year, the contests (the film, along with two other literature categories) were announced in mid-March.
The first deadline was May 31.
And then, Palanca announced its contest with a May 31 deadline.
I didn’t want to compete with the Palanca.
I want people to join both the Palanca, and the Peter’s Prize.
So I moved our deadline to June 30, a month later than the original.
***
Now, of course, June 30 becomes the deadest deadline.
Even if nothing happens with the entries in July, I’d still want to keep my word.
So, to those who missed our contest, better luck next time.
I mean, have better submission strategies and work ethics next time.
***
Our first film prize in 2019 attracted 19 or 20 entries.
Our second iteration in 2021 had six or seven entries.
This year, we have ten films competing.
‘Competing’ is a key term in the previous sentence.
Because right now, I have interested filmmakers who only want to share their 3-minute silent film, without necessarily wanting to win the prize.
***
Can I give a new deadline for them?
Of course.
I like the idea of a non-competing film category in ThePSNFIFF 2023.
So yeah, I think that we are still there.
I think that The Peter Solis Nery Foundation International Film Festival will continue to run for a few more years./PN
