Cinemalaya 21 opens with urgent call to fight corruption, support the arts

October 7 ------ The 21st Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival officially opened with a powerful call urging the government to act against corruption and provide stronger financial support for the arts.

Speaking before filmmakers, artists, and cultural leaders, Cinemalaya 21 Deputy Festival Director Tess Rances said in her speech, “While billions of taxpayers’ money are skimmed in those projects right under the very noses of our lawmakers who were supposed to safeguard them, artists scrape the bottom of the pot to bring their stories to life.”

She stressed that despite Cinemalaya’s artistic triumphs, the festival remains a “fragile vessel” that struggles each year to stay afloat financially.

“The lack of funding almost cut short the journey, if not for the urgent efforts of the Cinemalaya Foundation, the Film Development Council of the Philippines, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines to source out the budgets needed to subsidize the 10 new films and the festival,” she said.

Rances highlighted how five Cinemalaya films recently earned 37 nominations at the prestigious Urian Awards, which shows the festival’s enduring impact on Philippine cinema. She cited the documentary “Tumandok” as leading the nominations, followed by “Alipato at Muog,” “Kono Basho,” “The Hearing,” and “The Errand.”

Still, Rances warned that artistic excellence cannot thrive amid government neglect and corruption. “Corruption stumps and kills creativity. We urge our government to prioritize the allocation of funds to support the arts, specifically institutions like Cinemalaya, the CCP, and the FDCP that nurture the growth of Philippine independent cinema. We demand accountability and transparency in the utilization of public funds meant for cultural and artistic development,” she said.

She called on lawmakers “to act with urgency against corruption that stifles creativity and to channel resources towards fostering artistic excellence.” “The future of Philippine cinema and the arts demand it, the voices of our artists demand it. Let’s fight corruption together and support the arts,” she concluded.

Source: manilatimes.net