Newsletter

October 31, 2023

Welcome to Cinemata's latest newsletter! In this edition, we highlight the Society of Filipino Archivists for Film’s celebration of World Audiovisual Heritage Day with a free film screening, which featured several films from the Cinemata martial law playlist.

This edition also guides you through the exceptional benefits that Cinemata Trusted Users enjoy. From tailored publishing options to the newly introduced password-protection feature, you'll discover a host of features designed to enhance your experience on the platform.

We shine a spotlight on a captivating playlist of satirical animations that boldly critique military rulers in Myanmar, providing fresh insights into the challenges confronting the nation. Explore our latest featured films that shed light on the lives of fisherfolk in Scarborough Shoal, the realm of internet privacy, and the LGBTQIA+ community's experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines.

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Padayon: Continuing the advocacy for audiovisual archiving

In celebration of World Audiovisual Heritage Day last October 27, the Society of Filipino Archivists for Film (SOFIA) held ‘Padayon: Continuing the advocacy for audiovisual archiving SOFIA@30 Campus Programs.' The event was a celebration of the organisation’s 30th founding anniversary and was held in collaboration with the University of the Philippines Los Baños, SOFIA co-member institutions, Probe Archives, and PUP Center for Heritage Studies - CHS.

The event featured free screenings of select documentaries from the #MemoryKeepers Documentary Film Series. You can still watch some of the films screened from the ‘Cinemata Martial Law Playlist’.

A free lecture-workshop titled 'On Digitization and Digital Preservation' was held on October 25, providing valuable insights into preserving audiovisual heritage.

WATCH THE ‘DALUYONG: POLITICAL FILMMAKING IN A PERIOD OF SOCIAL UNREST REDUX’ PLAYLIST

The Society of Filipino Archivists for Film is a non-profit dedicated to preserving the Philippines' cinematic heritage and advocating for a national film archive. It was established in 1993 by the late film critic and historian Agustin “Hammy” Sotto and is comprised of individuals from diverse backgrounds – from trained archivists to film enthusiasts.

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Advantages of Becoming a Cinemata Trusted User

Cinemata Trusted Users are not just regular account holders. They play a crucial role in upholding the platform's vision of highlighting social issue films in the Asia-Pacific. These users have a deep understanding of the platform's core focus and are granted a special privilege: the ability to publish their videos to the public without requiring review.

Trusted User accounts offer distinct benefits, including Tailored Publishing Options for users to customize their content’s visibility – whether public, unlisted, or private. 

Trusted Users can also efficiently manage videos by uploading up to ten of them simultaneously. AI Speech Recognition and English Translation features enable Trusted Users to transcribe and translate their videos into English, widening their accessibility. The latest Cinemata feature, password protection, allows Trusted Users to control access to their videos, ensuring privacy and selective viewership.

Becoming a Cinemata Trusted User is an excellent opportunity for social issue filmmakers, film programmers, community media outfits, and advocacy groups who wish to publish their works effortlessly.

Trusted User access is free! Get in touch with Cinemata's curatorial team at contact@cinemata.org to become one.

EXPLORE THE ADVANTAGES OF TRUSTED USER ACCOUNTS

FEATURED PLAYLIST

'The Green Tribe'

The Green Tribe is an animated satirical series that aims to criticise the military rulers in Myanmar. The Village Chief is the alter-ego of General Min Aung Hlaing, the supreme commander of the Myanmar Army and the mastermind of the February 2021 coup.

This animation is broadcast to the people of Myanmar by Mizzima Media and on the Voice of Spring website.

Producer: Mizzima Media

​​Country: Myanmar

WATCH THE PLAYLIST

FEATURED FILMS

'Hong Kong Snapshot'

Three years after the Hong Kong demonstrations, an artist sets out to uncover the hidden voices of the city through a journey of unerasing faded protest graffiti, eventually discovering a glimmer of hope amidst the urban landscape.

Hong Kong Snapshot is an experimental work by Terry Narcissan Tsui, a video activist who has extensively documented the struggles of migrant workers in the country.

Director: Terry Narcissan Tsui

​​Country: Hong Kong

WATCH THE FILM

'The Secret Band of Thebes'

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, CODY's intimate videos leaked. In The Secret Band of Thebes, this incident is examined along with its repercussions on consumers and victims of similar leaked scandals, and how they coped with it.

This film by Grant "Augustine" Franzuela received an honourable mention in the Documentary Category of the 35th Gawad Alternatibo.

Director: Grant "Augustine" Franzuela

​​Country: Philippines

WATCH THE FILM

Cinemata is the official streaming partner of Asia's longest-running alternative films competition, the 35th Gawad Alternatibo. Watch the rest of the finalists for the Documentary Category.

'The Invisible Children'

While Malaysians stand in solidarity with war-torn nations abroad, thousands of refugee children within the country remain "invisible children" – denied citizenship, proper education, and legal employment, living on society's fringes.

The Invisible Children was released in 2006. Today, refugee children in Malaysia often rely on community schools and NGO-operated facilities for their education. Persistent challenges, including distance, overcrowding, and limited capacity, exacerbate existing disparities in educational opportunities.

Director: Hariati Azizan

Country: Malaysia

WATCH THE FILM

'PISI (String of Debt & Resistance)'

Despite a seven-year-old arbitration victory for the Philippines in the South China Sea, China's harassment of Filipino fisherfolk and vessels persists. In Masinloc, Zambales, approximately 1,500 fisherfolk continue to be threatened by China's illegal acts in Scarborough Shoal.

The documentary captures the resilience and determination of the fisherfolk, as they grapple with both debts and the relentless fight for their rights in the contested waters.

Producer: Kodao Productions​​​​​

Country: Philippines

WATCH THE FILM