Montañosa Film Festival: Mainstreaming local filmmakers

Eighty-seven locally-made films by local filmmakers were submitted to the Montañosa Film Festival 2023.

Out of the 87 submissions, 24 were chosen as finalists for the three categories namely: documentary, narrative and mobile film.

This is the third staging of the event with the theme “Divergence + Convergence” aligned with the city government’s vision of an interwoven creative and tourism sector to maintain Baguio as a UNESCO Creative City for Crafts and Folk Art. 

In support of the activity, Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong issued Executive Order No. 24, series of 2023 declaring the whole month of March as the Montañosa Film Festival 2023 in the City of Baguio.

Cinema Rehiyon @ Montañosa Film Festival is a nine-day event from March 25 to April 2, 2023 showcasing selected short and full-length films by local filmmakers. 

The monthlong Montañosa Film Festival was launched March 1, 2023 at SM City Baguio, Sky Garden. 

The festival and opening gala will start  on March 25 at the SM City Baguio followed by the Montañosa Filmmakers Homecoming, open forum as well as the launching of Cinema Rehiyon Best of the Regions on March 27.

There would also be film talks, mentoring and workshops for the filmmakers scheduled on March 29 – March 31, 2023. Outdoor film screenings are also scheduled from March 29 to 31 at the Malcolm Square People’s Park with Sinemusikain (film, food, music fair) at the Rose Garden in Burnham Park.

There are also other events such as outreach programs, school caravan, workshop, and other programs in partnership with the Cultural Center of The Philippines, Vivistop Baguio, and the Cordillera School of Digital Arts that will be launched alongside the celebration. – – Janthrize Andanan