Culinary Film Competition Opens to Regional Filmmakers

The first ever event promoting regional cuisine using the platform of cinema has been launched with Cinekabalen Film Festival opening its new Culinary Cinema Section to all regional filmmakers across the country.

The Cinekabalen Film Festival Culinary Cinema Section aims to support the preservation, promotion and appreciation of the vast culinary stories of the Philippines. This is in line with Proclamation No. 469 which declares the month of April every year as “Buwan ng Kalutong Filipino” or Filipino Food Month.

“The culinary cinema section is an initiative to inspire that we have our own regional stories pertaining to food and Cinekabalen will host that special section,” Carlo Enciso Catu, Cinekabalen Film Festival Director said.

Cinekabalen Film Festival is a regional film festival based in Pampanga, their films showcase Kapampangan Language and Kapampangan culture. Catu says the special Culinary Cinema Section which will be open to other non Kapampangan filmmakers is held in partnership with the Cinema Committee of the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts.

The competition is open to all Filipino filmmakers who have films centered on culinary stories, tradition and culinary treasures made not earlier than Jan. 2018, maximum running time inclusive of opening and closing credits is 15 minutes, spoken language may be in English or any Philippine language or dialect with subtitles in English.

Music used for the submitted film must be original, licensed or in the public domain. Entries that have been previously submitted or part of any film festival or film competition.

A filmmaker may submit more than one story and entries from abroad will be accepted as long as they are written, directed or produced by filmmakers of Filipino descent.

Grilled seafood specialties in Davao City. The culinary film section of the Cinekabalen Film Festival will feature regional culinary stories using the medium of film.

All entries should be submitted on or before March 31, 2019. Filmmakers will have to send their requirements cinekabalenfilmfestival@gmail.com. These requirements include:

• Online screener of the film via Google drive, Vimeo or Youtube link (password protected)
• Synopsis of the film (not more than 200 words)
• Complete cast and crew list
• Official poster (27″ X 40″ layout)
• Official trailer (not more than 2 minutes)
• Assorted stills and screen captures (in jpeg format)
• Filled up application form: http://tinyurl.com/ckffculinaryform2019
• Filmmaker’s curriculum vitae with filmography (single-spaced, not more than 2 pages) together with their two (2) recent 2X2 photos.
• A copy of any one (1) government issued ID or any proof of residence (Cedula, ID indicating address, Barangay Clearance, etc.)

Catu says one of their big plans is inspired with the Berlin Culinary Cinema in Germany where you watch the films and also try the cuisine featured in the film.

Catu added the winning films in the culinary film section will have cash prizes and the filmmakers will be invited to the Buwan ng Kalutong Filipino Festival 2019 this coming April. (PIA/RG Alama)