Newsletter

May 31, 2023

This edition of the Cinemata newsletter highlights the successful run of Cinemata Big Screen at last week's DRAPAC23 Assembly. Plus, read about Cinemata's partnership with film festivals in the Philippines and Cambodia, and watch films on women's reproductive health issues in Indonesia and Filipino students' learning struggles at the height of the pandemic.

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Cinemata Big Screen: Stories of Solidarity

The Cinemata team is overwhelmed with gratitude to everyone who attended the regional film showcase Cinemata Big Screen at the DRAPAC23 Assembly in Chiang Mai, Thailand! We are grateful to have had the opportunity to share relevant social issue films from the region to DRAPAC23 participants and local audiences, and hold masterclasses on Storytelling for Advocacy Filmmakers, Impact Production, and a workshop for Tech Tales Youth fellows.

It was heartwarming to finally meet and exchange stories with Cinemata audiences and partners in person. This event reminded us why we developed Cinemata in the first place – to hold a safe and secure space for stories of struggles and solidarity in the face of enduring issues and new challenges. We appreciate your support as we continue to build a strong community of changemakers in the Asia-Pacific, with allies from across the globe. Let's keep the momentum going!

The Cinemata team would like to extend our appreciation to our partners: Chiang Mai University Art and Culture Center, Faculty of Fine Arts Chiang Mai University, Friends Without Borders Foundation, CCCL Film Festival, DS Young Filmmaker, Burma Wide Angle Organization, Exile Hub, and Epson. Last but not least, thank you to our dedicated volunteers who worked tirelessly to help make the event a success.

We hope you enjoyed the screenings, and we look forward to welcoming you to future events. Stay connected with us through our newsletter and social media channels for more news on upcoming screenings and projects.

In solidarity,
Jen Tarnate
Cinemata Big Screen Festival Co-programmer
Content and Engagement Manager, EngageMedia

Read the opening remarks of Cinemata Big Screen Festival Director and EngageMedia Video Manager King Catoy as he shares his views on how the program contributes to digital rights advocacy.

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CINEMATA PARTNERSHIPS

Sineminuto: Buhayin at lakbayin, pelikulang atin! (Revive and Wander, The Films of Our Own)

Cinemata is one of the official media partners for the short film festival competition 'Sineminuto: Buhayin at lakbayin, pelikulang atin! (Revive and Wander, The Films of Our Own)'. The event is organised by the Film Aficionados Circle (FILAC), the official film organisation of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines' College of Communication in Manila.

FILAC and Cinemata invite everyone to support the event and collectively explore the rich tapestry of stories within the films. Watch the nine official entries to this year's short film festival and the awarding ceremony at Cinematheque Centre Manila on June 2 from 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM.

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Chaktomuk Short Film Festival 2023 Call for Submission

Now on its 12th edition, the Chaktomuk Short Film Festival (CSFF) in Cambodia is accepting submissions for fiction and documentary short films from around the world.

The Chaktomuk Short Film Festival is annually organised by Sunflower Film Alliance, a youth collective under Sunflower Film Organization, and local film professionals. The festival aims to showcase new short films from Cambodia and other parts of the world and bridge young filmmakers with greater career opportunities. The deadline for submissions is on July 15, 2023.

WATCH THE TRAILER

Learn more about the Chaktomuk Short Film Festival in this blog post.

TAM DokyuFest

In partnership with the Far Eastern University Department of Communication (FEU DepComm), Cinemata co-presented TAM DokyuFest, an annual documentary film festival in the Philippines promoting truthful storytelling that advocates for a deeper probe of social issues.

From May 10 to 20, Cinemata hosted a showcase of nine documentary films highlighting social realities encountered by ordinary Filipinos as part of 'Cinemata Visions: TAM DokyuFest 2023'.

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Cinemata Visions is an initiative that spotlights notable works from film schools and learning institutions dedicated to cinema in the Asia-Pacific. It highlights video endeavours such as workshops and competitions initiated by advocacy groups dedicated to the youth.

 

FEATURED FILMS

'kOsOng - No One Inside'

In a society that pressures women to bear children, the Indonesian animated documentary kOsOng - No One Inside by Hizart Studio dares to explore the memories and experiences of five women confronting the stigma surrounding childlessness.

Producer: Hizart Studio

Country: Indonesia

WATCH THE FILM

'MyDay'

At the height of the COVID19 pandemic, academic activities shifted to online learning in the Philippines.MyDay follows the story of Vic and his sister as they share one mobile phone and struggle to continue their online and modular classes.

Director: Kevin Van Sulitas

Country: Philippines

WATCH THE FILM