# 15th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival

The 15th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival was held from August 2–13, 2019 in Metro Manila, Philippines. A total of ten full-length features and ten short films competed. The festival was opened by the film Ang Hupa by Lav Diaz and its closing film was Mina-Anud by Kerwin Go.

## Entries

The winning film is highlighted with boldface and a dagger.

### Full-Length Features

| Title | Director | Cast | Genre |
| Ani (The Harvest) | Kim Zuniga and Sandro Del Rosario | Zyren de la Cruz, Ricky Davao, Miguel Valdes, Marc Felix, Anna Luna, and JM Canlas | Family drama, Fantasy |
| Belle Douleur (A Beautiful Pain) | Atty. Joji V. Alonso | Mylene Dizon, Kit Thompson, Marlon Rivera, Jenny Jamora, and Hannah Ledesma | Romance Drama |
| Children of the River | Maricel Cariaga | Noel Comia Jr., Ricky Oriarte, Dave Justin Francis, Junyka Santarin, JR Custodio, and Juancho Triviño | Social drama |
| Edward | Thop Nazareno | Louise Abuel, Dido dela Paz, Elijah Canlas, Manuel Chua, and Ella Cruz | Social drama, Comedy |
| Fuccbois | Eduardo Roy, Jr. | Royce Cabrera, Kokoy de Santos, and Ricky Davao | Social drama, Thriller |
| Iska | Theodore Boborol | Ruby Ruiz, Soliman Cruz, Ricky Rivero, Jonic Magno, Jomari Angeles, and RK Bagatsing | Social drama |
| John Denver Trending $^†$ | Arden Rod Condez | Jansen Magpusao, Meryll Soriano, Glenn Mas, Sammy Rubido, Vince Philip Alegre, and Jofranz Ambubuyog | Social drama |
| Malamaya (The Color of Ash) | Danica Sta. Lucia and Leilani Chavez | Sunshine Cruz, Enzo Pineda, Raymond Bagatsing, and Bernadette Allyson | Romance drama |
| Pandanggo sa Hukay | Sheryl Rose Andes | Iza Calzado, Ybes Bagadiong, Acey Aguilar, Diva Montelaba, Charlie Dizon, and Star Orjaliza | Social drama, Thriller |
| Tabon | Alexander Xian Cruz Lim Uy (credited as Xian Lim) | Christopher Roxas, Ynna Asistio, Dexter Doria, Bapbap Reyes, Menggie Cobarrubias, Leon Miguel, Benjie Felipe, Lao Rodriguez, and Richard Manabat | Social drama, Thriller |

### Short films

| Title | Director |
| 'Wag Mo 'Kong Kausapin (Please Stop Talking) $^†$ | Josef Gacutan |
| Disconnection Notice | Glenn Lowell Averia |
| Gatilyo | Harold Lance Pialda |
| Heist School | Julius Renomeron Jr. |
| Hele ng maharlika (Lullaby of the free) | Norvin De Los Santos |
| Kontrolado ni Girly ang Buhay N'ya | Gilb Baldoza |
| Sa among agway (In between Spaces) | Don Senoc |
| Sa gabing tanging liwanag ay paniniwala (Belief as the light in darkness) | Francis Amir Guillermo |
| The Shoemaker | Sheron Dayoc |
| Tembong (Connecting) | Shaira Advincula |

## Awards

The awards ceremony was held on August 12, 2019, at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater), Cultural Center of the Philippines.

### Full-Length Features

* Best Film – John Denver Trending by Arden Rod Condez
** Special Jury Prize – Edward by Thop Nazareno
** Audience Choice Award – Belle Douleur (A Beautiful Pain) by Atty. Joji V. Alonso
* Best Direction – Eduardo Roy Jr. for Fuccbois
* Best Actor – Jansen Magpusao for John Denver Trending
* Best Actress – Ruby Ruiz for Iska
* Best Supporting Actor – Ricky Davao for Fuccbois
* Best Supporting Actress – Ella Cruz for Edward
* Best Screenplay – Mary Rose Colindres for Iska
* Best Cinematography – Rommel Sales for John Denver Trending
* Best Editing – Benjo Ferrer III for John Denver Trending
* Best Sound – Immanuel Verona for Iska
* Best Original Music Score – Len Calvo for John Denver Trending
* Best Production Design – Alvin Francisco for Edward
* NETPAC Award – John Denver Trending by Arden Rod Condez

### Short films

* Best Short Film: "'Wag Mo 'Kong Kausapin (Please Stop Talking)" by Josef Gacutan
** NETPAC Award: "Disconnection Notice" by Glenn Averia
** NETPAC Award Special Mention: "Sa Among Agwat" by Don Senoc
** Special Jury Award: "Tembong" by Shaira Advincula
** Special Mention for Subject Matter: "Hele ng Maharlika" by Norvin delos Santos
** Audience Choice: "Heist School" by Julius Renomeron Jr.
* Best Screenplay: "Kontrolado ni Girly and Buhay N'ya" by Gilb Baldoza
* Best Director: "Sa Among Agwat" director Don Senoc