22 finalists to compete in Baguio City’s Montañosa Film Festival 2024

After their resounding success in the past three years, the Montañosa Film Festival is back to host yet another much-anticipated edition.

Montañosa Film Festival (MFF) is the first-ever independent film festival for the Cordillerans in the country’s Summer Capital. With a profound mission, the festival confers due recognition of the Cordillera cinematic storytelling.

The first MFF was bravely held during the pandemic in 2021. It was said to be one of the very first public events held in the country during that time, proving that it was possible to hold events by practicing strict discipline in following the health and safety protocols enforced by the city.

This year, the Montañosa Film Festival officially kicked off during the MFF 2024 Opening Gala on March 17, 2024, at the Baguio Convention Center.

Montañosa Film Festival 2024 Finalists

The Montañosa Film Festival 2024 centers on the theme “Building Bridges Beyond Boundaries.” True to this line, the MFF this year cuts across cultures, status, age, and gender, and features films that inspire, empower, invigorate, and enliven the lives of those who think life is just a series of mundane activities.

The film festival has set an exciting lineup of 22 documentaries, narratives, and mobile phone films.

The finalists of the 2024 Documentary Filmmaking competition are Ranniel Semana for the film ‘ino’; AC Molera, ‘Sino’t Saan’; Jonathan Jurilla, ‘My Boy Superman’; Joshua Lomahan, ‘Dolor’; Charley Sta. Maria, ‘Tuhon’; Charlmagne Christian Ramoso, ‘Sketsa na Dagupan’; Leonard Ian Billiones, ‘Siete’ (Seven Pesos); and Romel Pascua for ‘Zanjera’.

For the 2024 Narrative Filmmaking competition: Kent Cadungog for ‘Hosanna’; Kyla Romero, ‘Transients’; Jadrien Morales, ‘Time Out’; Florence Anne Taiño, ‘Mahirap ang Makinarya, Banal ang may Kita’; Ram Esteban Estael, ‘Wata a Marawi’; and Katherine Nobleza for ‘Sinanbituwon’ (The Missing Blanket).

As for the 2024 Mobile Filmmaking competition, finalists include Raine Gado for ‘Time Before Kevin’; Iaego Villanueva, ‘Kabunian’s Gong’; Donetha Merka, ‘Kahon’; Roland Cartagena, ‘Old World’; Huey Javier, ‘Lingling-O’; Yviane Cacay, ‘Manwingi’; Daniel John Sanchez, ‘Your Whisper Is What I Miss’; and Seth Dela Llana for ‘Sabi ng Nanay ko Masama ang Tsismis’.

All 22 finalists will be screened at SM Cinema Baguio on March 22 and 23. Winners will be awarded on the evening of March 23 at the Cap Convention Center at Camp John Hay.