In celebration of the 81st Dia de la Ciudad de Zamboanga, the City Government once again hosted the Zamboanga Film Festival. Now on its third year, #ZFF2018 selected 20 short films produced by Zamboangueño filmmakers and animators. The finalists composed of 10 live action short films and 10 animated shorts (Click here for the list of short film finalists). The films were screened at Centro Latino Theater, Paseo del Mar, from February 19 to 23 which was watched by high schools and colleges in the city. The awards night was held on February 25, 7PM at Centro Latino main hall.



Here are the list of nominees and winners of the Zamboanga Film Festival 2018:

Best Screenplay (Live Action):
- Shekinah Benitez (Esta)
- Eljay Deldoc (Pag-ibig lang ang Meron Tayo)
- Khadija Ahamed Kabeer (Bardusa)
- Robi Brian Kang (Loop)
- WINNER: Diserie Dawn Vergara (Manchao)

A last full show was held at the Centro Latino main hall before the Grand Awards Night

Best Original Story (Animation):
- Frantz Merrill Sucro, Kendrick Fernandez, Joshua Adonai Diaz, Lorenzo Emerson Yagong (Si Ongka, El Aspin)
- WINNER: Joshua Dela Cruz (Peacekeeper)
- Hazel Rosie Bayaras, Carl Venzon Zarraga, Dariel Dryan Tadus (The Promise)
- Megan Dayak  (Karoshi)
- Kendrick Fernandez (Peste)

Best Cinematography (Live Action):
- WINNER: Mohammad Sarajan (Esta)
- John Renzo Wee (Pag-ibig lang ang Meron Tayo)
- Simon Alvarez (Manchao)
- Lawrence Agustin (Bardusa)
- Micaella Marie R. Ruste & Chelsea Gregorio (Ocaso)

Best CINEMATOGRAPHY (Animation)
- Megan Dayak  (Karoshi)
- Carl Venzon Zarraga (The Promise)
- Joshua Dela Cruz (Peacekeeper)
- Joshua Adonai Diaz (Si Ongka, El Aspin)
- WINNER: Kendrick Fernandez (Peste)

Kendrick Fernandez, director/animator of Peste, won Best Animator, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Viewers' Choice Award

Best Editing (Live Action):
- Nathalie Enriquez (Manchao)
- WINNER: Shekinah Benitez (Esta)
- Kim Tayona & John Renzo Wee (Pag-ibig lang ang Meron Tayo)
- Khadija Ahamed Kabeer & Lawrence Agustin (Bardusa)
- Tennyl Dehm Canlas (Globo)

Best Editing (Animation):
- Megan Dayak  (Karoshi)
- Joshua Dela Cruz (Peacekeeper)
- WINNER: Kendrick Fernandez (Peste)
- Hazel Rosie Bayaras & Carl Venzon Zarraga (The Promise)
- Frantz Merrill Sucro (Si Ongka, El Aspin)

Best Production Design (Live Action):
- Fahda Hassan (Bardusa)
- Dexter Luaya (Manchao)
- Chelsea Gregorio (Pag-ibig lang ang Meron Tayo)
- Chelsea Gregorio (Ocaso)
- WINNER: Shekinah Benitez (Esta)

Shekinah Benitez, director of Esta (Stay) received four awards: Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design and Best Culture-Senstive Film

Best Visual Effects (Animation):
- WINNER: Hazel Rosie Bayaras & Carl Venzon Zarraga (The Promise)
- Kendrick Fernandez (Peste)
- Megan Dayak  (Karoshi)
- Joshua Dela Cruz (Peacekeeper)
- Khaled Majid (Cast)
- Dariel Dryan Tadus (With Colors)

Best Culture-Sensitive Film(Live Action):
- Bardusa by Khadija Ahamed Kabeer
- Manchao by Jonathan Alandahao
- WINNER: Esta by Shekinah Benitez
- Pag-ibig lang ang Meron Tayo by Kim Tayona
- Silip by Robi Brian Kang

Best Culture-Sensitive Film (Animation):
- Fuego (Fire) by Ian Kenneth Barade
- Si Ongka, El Aspin by Frantz Merrill Sucro
- Behind Closed Doors by Jorzheema Hamid
- Is It My Turn? By Joshua Nacionales
- WINNER: Peacekeeper by Joshua Dela Cruz

Best Character Design (Animation):
- Joshua Dela Cruz (Peacekeeper)
- WINNER: Hazel Rosie Bayaras, Carl Venzon Zarraga, Dariel Dryan Tadus (The Promise)
- Megan Dayak  (Karoshi)
- Kendrick Fernandez (Peste)
- Frantz Merrill Sucro (Si Ongka, El Aspin)
- Joshua Nacionales (Is it my turn?)

Best Actress (Live Action):
- Angel Ridette Cenas as “Mae” (Esta)
- WINNER: Laila Ulao as “Sara” (Bardusa)
- Aemjay Sainty Albano as “Kris”(Pag-ibig lang ang Meron Tayo)
- Eycle Pansensyo as “Jade” (Silip)

Best Supporting Actress (Special Jury Citation):
- Ma. Zidamar Caranay Raper as "Sara's Mother" (Bardusa)

Best Animator (Animation):
- Joshua Dela Cruz (Peacekeeper)
- WINNER: Kendrick Fernandez (Peste)
- Joshua Adonai Diaz (Si Ongka, El Aspin)
- Megan Dayak  (Karoshi)
- Joshua Nacionales (Is it my turn?)
- Carl Venzon Zarraga (The Promise)

Best Actor (Live Action):
- Ramli Tiblani Abdurahim (Bardusa)
- John Mark Resurreccion (Manchao)
- WINNER: Kiko Miranda as “France” (Pag-ibig lang ang Meron Tayo)

Kiko Miranda won Best Actor for his performance in the live action short film "Pag-ibig lang ang Meron Tayo" by Kim Tayona

Best Director (Live Action):
- Micaella Marie Ruste (Ocaso)
- Kim Tayona (Pag-ibig lang ang Meron Tayo)
- Shekinah Benitez (Esta)
- Khadija Ahamed Kabeer (Bardusa)
- WINNER: Jhonathan Alandahao (Manchao)

First-time director, Jhonathan Andalahao, was awarded Best Director for his live action short "Manchao" which also won Best Screenplay and Best Film.

Best Director (Animation):
- WINNER: Joshua Dela Cruz (Peacekeeper)
- Kendrick Fernandez (Peste)
- Frantz Merrill Sucro (Si Ongka, El Aspin)
- Hazel Rosie Bayaras (The Promise)
- Megan Dayak (Karoshi)

Viewer's Choice Award (Live Action):
- Pag-ibig lang ang Meron Tayo by Kim Tayona

Viewer's Choice Award (Animation):
- Peste by Kendrick Fernandez

Best Film (Animation):
- Manchao by Jhonathan Alandahao

Best Film (Animation):
- Peacekeeper by Joshua Dela Cruz

Joshua dela Cruz, director/animator of Peacemaker, won Best Director, Best Original Story, Best Culture-Sensitive Film and the Grand Prize - Best Film (Animation Category)
  Cast and crew of Grand Prize Winner - Best Film (Live Action Category), Manchao by Jhonathan Andalahao

Congratulations to all nominees and awardees! Happy Dia de la Ciudad de Zamboanga! #ZFF2018 #DiaDeZamboanga #iLoveZamboangaCity

The City Government of Zamboanga in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines hosted this year's Zamboanga Film Festival held at the FDCP Cinematheque Zamboanga in line with the celebration of the 80th Charter Anniversary of the City of Zamboanga #DiaDeZamboanga. Fifteen live action and fifteen animated short films were selected to compete in the coveted awards of the biggest film festival in the region. Filmmakers all over Mindanao were invited and some films from Iligan and Cagayan de Oro City made it to the finals.


The films were shown during the free public screenings at the Cinematheque Zamboanga last February 20-25, 2017. We invited high schools and colleges to watch the films and vote for their favorite film in each category. The most number of votes won the Viewers' Choice Award, receiving a plaque and a cash prize of P5,000. The grand winners (best film) and minor awards were judged by a set of jury at the Film Development Council of the Philippines headed by the Executive Director Wilfredo Manalang.

The winners were announced on February 25 during the Local Achievers Night at Centro Latino, Paseo del Mar. No less than the mayor, Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, and Mr. Manalang presented the awards to the winners. A total of 18 awards were given, and non-winning finalists also received P2,000 in cash. Here are the nominees and winners of #ZFF2017:

Best Screenplay and Best Cinematography went to "Next Time" by Kim Tayona,  the CineChavacano 2016 Grand Winner for the Live Action Category

BEST SCREENPLAY – LIVE ACTION
- Tirador by Lee Why Halasan
- Past Sense by Gustavo Lorenzo Oraa
- Utas by Al Enriquez
- Next Time by Kim Tayona and John Renzo Wee (Winner)

BEST STORY – ANIMATION
- Escogido by Ian Victor Moritcho (Winner)
- Poaching by Wella Lynne Saclolo
- Strings by Rafael Daniel Evangelista V
- Kit by by Ryan Covarrubias
- Twist by Carl Laroco

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY – LIVE ACTION
- Glenn Marco San Agustin - Tiempo
- Shone Mallari - Utas
- Next Time - John Renzo Wee (Winner)
- Gustavo Lorenzo Oraa, Mark Dominique Badiang, and Deomart Fergio Ramosar - Past Sense

"Escogido" by Ian Moritcho was awarded Best Original Story for Animation

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY – ANIMATION
- Ian Victor Moritcho - Escogido
- Emmanuel Buenvenida - Queue (Winner)
- Jeremias Dulaca II - Out of the Paper
- Joshlyn Natielle Mei Hussin - Hurgesa

BEST EDITING – LIVE ACTION
- Past Sense by Jeremias Dulaca II (Winner)
- Subang by Christian Alan Toring
- Next Time by Kim Tayona

BEST EDITING – ANIMATION
- Escogido (Chosen) by Ian Victor Moritcho
- Queue by Emmanuel Buenvnida
- Kit by Ryan Covarrubias (Winner)

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS – LIVE ACTION
- Tiempo by Tennyl Dehm Canlas (Winner)

The only nominee and awardee for Best Visual Effects for Live Action "Timepo" by Tennyl Dehm Canlas

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS – ANIMATION
- Out of the Paper by Jeremias Dulaca II (Winner)
- Endeavor by Kendrick Rico

BEST CULTURE-SENSITIVE FILM – LIVE ACTION
- No Olvida by Dwight Anthony Yu
- Utas by Al Enriquez
- Ang Ikadukhang Pagbabalik by Jeffrie Po
- Lengua Pranka by Pristine Padua (Winner)

BEST CULTURE-SENSITIVE FILM - ANIMATION
- Poaching by Wella Lynne Saclolo (Winner)
- Strings by Rafael Daniel Evangelista V
- Divided by Aljhun Rey Canillo

VIEWERS' CHOICE – LIVE ACTION
- UTAS (Snap) by Alexander Ramiso (Winner)
- Tirador by Lee Why Halasan
- No Olvida by Dwight Yu

"Dividido" by Aljhun Canillo got the Viewers' Choice Award on. It received the same award in the CineChavacano 2016,

VIEWERS CHOICE – ANIMATION
- Dividido (Divided) by Aljhun Rey Canillo (Winner)
- Juego (Game) by Abraham Ysmael Alvarez
- Strings by Rafael Daniel Evangelista V

BEST ACTOR – LIVE ACTION
- Cassey Bayot as Nonoy - Tirador (Winner)
- Jonahue Potenciano as Jo - Next Time
- Monchito Ventura as Older brother - Utas
- Justin Cabaira as Bicycle Driver - Suban

BEST ACTRESS – LIVE ACTION
- Kaye Alfaro as the Girl - Utas
- Rochelle Coscolluela as Sam - Tiempo
- Darla Sheen Malampo as Yen - Next Time
- Mika Perez as Mia - Cinco Mes (Winner)
- Nikki Coleen Gutierrez as Diasy - Past Sense

BEST DIRECTOR – LIVE ACTION
- Lee Why Halasan - Tirador
- Jeffrie Po - Ang Ikaduhang Pagbalik

"Utas" by Al Enriquez bagged the most awards: Best Director, Viewers' Choice and the most coveted Best Film for the Live Action Category

- Kim Tayona - Next Time

- Alexander Ramiso - Utas (Winner)

BEST ANIMATOR - ANIMATION
- Kendrick Rico - Endeavor
- Jeremias Dulaca II - Out of the Paper (Winner)
- Rafael Daniel Evangelista V - Strings

BEST FILM – Live Action
- Tirador by Lee Why Halasan
- Past Sense by Jeremias Dulaca II
- Subang by Christian Alan Toring
- Next Time by Kim Tayona
- Utas by Al Enriquez (Winner)
- Ang Ikadukhang Pagbabalik by Jeffrie Po


BEST FILM - Animation
- Strings by Rafael Daniel Evangelista V (Winner)
- Out of the Paper by Jeremias Dulaca II
- Queue by Emmanuel Buenvenida
- Twist by Carl Laroco

"Strings" by Rafael Evangelista V, the grand winner of Animahenasyon 2016, the Philippine Animation Festival, was awarded Best Film for Animation

- Kit by Ryan Covarrubias

The Grand winners received a plaque and P15,000 in cash, while minor awardees received a plaque and P3,000. Congratulations to all winners, nominees, finalists and organizers for the successful event! For more information and updates on the activities of the City Government of Zamboanga, like the official facebook page: Zamboanga Hermosa Festival, and follow @zambocitygovt at Twitter and Instagram.
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Who will win this year's Academy Award for Animated Short Film? Here are the nominees. Watch and be the judge! Watch out for the results on Monday morning (Philippine Time).

Adam and Dog
by Minkyu Lee
Synopsis: A playful dog exploring the newly created world comes upon the first man.


Fresh Guacamole
by PES
Synopsis: An unseen cook uses a series of unusual ingredients to prepare a bowl of guacamole.


Head over Heels
by Timothy Reckart and Fodhla Cronin O'Reilly
Synopsis: The emotional distance between a long-married husband and wife has resulted in an unusual living arrangement.



Maggie Simpson in "The Longest Daycare"
David Silverman
Synopsis: Maggie Simpson attends the Ayn Rand Daycare Center, where she finds a caterpillar and faces off against her nemesis.


Paperman
John Kahrs
Synopsis: A young man working in an office tries desperately to attract the attention of a girl in the building across the street.