A feature-length adaptation of the horror-fantasy comic book is also in the works
Prolific comic creator and animator Mervin Malonzo’s short film adaptation of Julius Villanueva’s horror-fantasy graphic novel series just bagged an award from the recent Paris International Animation Film Festival (PIAFF). The news about its victory was announced by Rocketsheep Studios on Facebook, the creative team behind “Hayop Ka! The Nimfa Dimaano Story.”
“We are so proud to have supported this project, watch out for the feature-length version,” the studio posted.
Dubbed “Ella Arcangel: Oyayi sa Dilim” (Ella Arcangel: Lullaby In The Dark), the featurette took home the Directing Award from the PIAFF. According to the said post, the jury found it “to tackle a trauma inside a family the horror genre is perfect. With a perfect mastery of mise en scène (directing) that make us want to follow the story of those characters.”
Released by Haliya Publishing in 2017, the comic book series is set in a strange community called Barangay Masikap, with its story centering on the titular character Ell Arcangel, a girl mababarang (witch). “Ella Arcangel: Oyayi sa Dilim” was first released in May 2020 as Malonzo’s personal project. In September 2021, Malonzo announced that an animated feature film is currently in the works.
Magandang gabi! Ikinagagalak kong sabihin na magkakaroon ng pelikula na base sa ELLA ARCANGEL: AWIT NG PANGIL AT KUKO sa tulong ng grant na ibinigay ng Film Development Council of the Philippines!
Abangan si Ella, si Mimiw, at si Pangil! @zekemachine pic.twitter.com/zKgQqFh4zQ
— Mervin Malonzo (@mervinmalonzo) September 22, 2021
Watch “Ella Arcangel: Oyayi sa Dilim” below:
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