Jason Paul Laxamana’s Instalado (2017) is set in a future when people may get information immediately implanted into their brains rather than paying for school. There’s no need to stay up late studying. There are no examinations. There are no tuition costs. It received six awards at the 2017 ToFarm Film Festival. At the ToFarm Film Festival, the indie sci-fi film took third place in Best Picture, People’s Choice, Best Sound, and Best Production Design. Francis Magundayao and Barbara Miguel were both named best supporting actor and actress, respectively. 

Elwood Perez was named “Master Filmmaker” in 2013 for his film “Otso” in the Sineng Pambansa National Film Festival All Masters Edition, with 11 other experienced Filipino filmmakers. He is also a Sine Sandaan Luminary in Philippine Cinema.  Lex drafts a script for an independent film based on the secret lives of his next-door neighbors in the hopes of reconnecting with his roots by returning to Manila. Facts and his own aesthetic ideas collide as he learns that reinterpreting reality isn’t always a positive thing.

Pitong Kabang Palay (2016), directed by Maricel Cariaga, is about a farmer’s child who watches his family’s everyday challenges, leading to realizations that reinforce his determination. It won 2nd Best Picture, the Special Award for Outstanding Ensemble, Best Supporting Actor for the tween actor Micko Laurente, Best Sound for Arnel de Vera, Best Music for Lorenzo Nielsen, and Best Screenplay for Cariaga.

Raymund Ribay Gutierrez’s Verdict (2019) is about a mistreated and battered wife seeking justice. It won the special jury prize in the Horizons (Orizzonti) section of the 2019 Venice Film Festival. Also, it has been announced as the Philippines’ entry for the 92nd Academy Awards’ International Feature Film category. The film was chosen for the Oscars by a jury that comprised Film Development Council of the Philippines chairman Liza Dio and actor-producer Joel Torre, among others.

Tanabata’s Wife (2018), a love story between a Japanese farmer and a Cordilleran lady directed by Choy Pangilinan, Lito Casaje, and Charlson L. Ong, won the most honors, including best film, at the 2018 ToFarm Film Festival awards ceremony. The film was also awarded P500,000 in cash. The best director award was shared by Charlson Ong, Lito Casaje, and Choy Padilla. Along with Mao Talas and Juan Carlo Tarobal, Ong and Casaje won the award for best screenplay. Nap Jamir received the prize for best cinematography, while May-i Padilla received the award for best editing.

Bagahe (2017), directed by Zig Madamba Dulay, won the top prize at the 2018 Festival des Cinémas d’Asie de Vesoul (commonly known as the Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema). The film got the Gold Cyclo Award for its realistic narrative on the condition of Filipino migrant laborers. The film is set in Isabela, follows the lives of Mercy, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) accused of dumping a newborn infant in the trash bin of an airline lavatory. The documentary depicts what happens to a Filipino migrant worker when being investigated.

Carlo Encisco Catu’s Mga Anak Ng Kamote (2018) was entered in the Full Length competition of the ToFarm Film Festival Year 3 in 2018. The film is set in the Philippines in 2052, when kamote planting is illegal and anyone found growing and selling kamote are imprisoned, according to the Kamote Planting Regulation Act.

Retirada (2022), directed by Milo Alto Paz; Cynthia Paz portrays the tale of Azon Marcelo, who endures melancholia as she adjusts to her life as a retired government official, despite her husband Edong’s confidence. Isha Abubakar received Best Musical Score for the film at the 18th Cinemalaya Film Festival.

Kip Oebanda’s Liway (2018) is a true story about a young mother who uses story-telling to shield her kid from the realities of growing up in jail and the harsh life she faced. It was screened at Cinemalaya 2018 and received a special jury commendation as well as the crowd choice award. It got a special jury commendation and the audience choice award in 2018. Kenken Nuyda received a Special Jury Citation for her exceptional performance. In 2018, ML won Best Editing and Eddie Garcia won Best Actor.

Depending on the themes or courses, you may select which films to screen at your school from our film catalog. Each school or department may choose more than one film for screening. Furthermore, we may conduct our block screening services through online, face-to-face, and hybrid.

For an additional fee, we may invite the director, producer, or cast from the film you have selected to give a short discussion and answer questions from the audience.

Films are an integral part of our society in the way that we live and view life. They are more than just entertainment; they are also tools for education that can communicate important social issues and drive social change. But not everyone can afford to watch movies, and the independent films—which are generally much less expensive—aren’t exactly accessible, either. On top of that, the pandemic makes it even harder for these films to reach more audience. Inflation rates are increasing and more and more people are choosing to stay home, while the films are left to dust, never to be seen again.

This is where EdukSine comes in.

EdukSine Production Corporation, founded by Karen Salutan, Romae Chanice Marquez and Hector Gloria, is a livelihood that solves this problem by creating a streaming platform for independent filmmakers and producers, where they can have their films streamed from their audience’s devices any time. With EdukSine, independent Filipino films are made affordable and accessible to all Filipinos. Through their block screenings, whether it’s virtual, live, or both, more Filipinos are able to view these films. Not only it allows indie filmmakers to continue making a living out of filmmaking, it also provides education to those who can’t afford it.

Let’s support and preserve the Filipino culture through independent films with EdukSine. Catch them in the Philippine Start-Up week on Nov.18, 2022 at 4 PM as they tackle their humble beginnings and how they help independent filmmakers through their platform and how they make independent Filipino films accessible and affordable, not just to all Filipinos but also to the world. Please also support the event “Women as Builders by IDEYA, Miriam College-TBI and UPGRADE TBI” featuring Ms. Karen Jane Sautan, CEO and Founder of EdukSine and other women entrepreneur first batch of grantees of DOST’s Women-Helping-Women Innovating Social Enterprises (WHWise) November 14 at 1 PM.

Have you registered for #PHSW22 yet? Tag your fellow #founders, young #techpreneurs, and #tech enthusiasts and secure FREE tickets now at phstartupweek.com