Dr. Carl Balita has launched a filmmaking competition anchored on the theme “lockdown.”
The challenge to entrants of the Video Home Festival (VHF) is to create films based on the theme while observing quarantine guidelines using immediate technology, space, and casts available for the filmmakers.
“I knew that the filmmakers were oozing with creativity in the new normal and were itching to express their craft even with all the limitations of a quarantine experience,” says the entrepreneur and producer in a statement sent to Bulletin Entertainment. “We were surprised when after more than a month from our launch, entries came in from professionals, film students, and enthusiasts.”
Carl aims for the festival to raise funds for the industry workers through the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund). Being a film producer himself and within the circle of show business, he is aware of the current plight of the industry players.
Mowelfund Board Member Boots Anson-Rodrigo and President Rez Cortez welcome the idea and are exploring new partnership opportunities with Carl and his company, Dr. Carl Balita Review Center (CBRC) on how to bring the collaboration to a more productive level. Festival Director Jek David notes that some of the entries have international caliber, highlighting the quarantine experience of the filmmakers.
VHF will be screened through Binge Wave, an international festival screening platform based in the USA, on Sept. 3 and 4. You Tube streaming will be from Sept. 5 to 11. The Awards Night will be done virtually on Sept.20.
VHF consists of 19 new films from 20 fresh filmmakers of different backgrounds. Films can be divided into the following themes:
1. Love –“A Love Letter” by Juan Carlo Balasbas Tarobal; “Sina Alexa, Xander at Ang Universe” by Vahn Pascual; “Tayo” by Armyr Encarnacion;
2. Education –“Class of 2020” by Robinson Planilla; “Karen Is Trying to Connect” by Regin De Guzman; “Last Sem na ni Peter” by Ken Leviste; “Online Classes” by Sofia Jornacion;
3. Mental Health –“Awit” by Lander Sy; “Dagiti Talloa Virgen (Three Virgins)” by Melver Ritz Gomez; “Sa Ibayo ng Pagtangis” by Sophie Casasola, Le Anne Flores, Francis Tavas;
4. Horror –“3AM” by Jei del Rosario; “Hugas Kamay” by Kim Delas Alas; “Witness” by Juan Carlos Ojano; “Dead Cough” by Bleaux Bastasa;
5. Existentialism –“Batikas” by Lino Balmes; “Salmo ’91” by Jerico Ellorenco; “Siklo” by Sophie Casasola; “Why? Fi” by Mark Balderrama; and
6. Political Satire –“Ayuda” by Ryan Termoso
VHF is presented by Dr. Carl Balita Productions.