SINAG Maynila, the country’s newest independent film festival, showcases five quality and thought-provoking movies from young, nonmainstream Filipino filmmakers starting today until April 26 at selected SM Cinemas. These include designated theaters at SM City Manila, SM City North Edsa, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia and SM Aura Premier, where the red-carpet opening ceremonies will be held.
 
A joint project of Solar Entertainment, Centerstage Productions, SM and Samsung, the festival seeks to inspire, educate and enlighten the viewing public. Now on its second year of providing independent filmmakers a brand new platform to showcase their stories, Sinag Maynila features films that reflect Filipino culture, while presenting social issues deserving of discussion among audiences here and abroad. Conceptualized and helmed by its founder and CEO Wilson Tieng, together with world-renowned and internationally acclaimed Filipino filmmaker Brilliante Mendoza, Sinag Maynila’s first batch of world-class films were recognized for their excellence here and abroad.
 
This year expect more invitations from international film festivals, as Sinag Maynila 20I6 presents a new batch of compelling feature films created by the some of the country’s brilliant filmmakers.
 
Five filmmakers closely collaborated with Tieng and Mendoza, resulting in stories that reflect the Filipino culture while illustrating messages that will resonate globally.
 
Dyamper by Mes de Guzman follows the story of Apeng, Poknat and Tinoy, who are dyampers on the lookout to steal from rice trucks as they meander along the treacherous winding roads of Dalton Pass.
 
Expressway by Ato Bautista is an action film where old-timer Ben needs to do one last assignment before the syndicate boss he works for grants him his much-delayed retirement. Assigned to be his partner is neophyte Morris, yearning to prove his worth.
 
Lila by Gino M. Santos is a psychological thriller. To escape a past that threatens to consume her, a young woman decides to move into a house owned by a warmhearted landlady, looking for a fresh start and a chance for atonement. The house, however, has other ideas.
 
M.R.S. by Adolf Alix Jr. is the story of 70-year-old Virginia, who lives in a bungalow that stands on an earthquake-fault area. When her ever-loyal maid Delia tells her she’d be leaving for good, what follows shows a portrait of a woman and a mother trying to juggle the sad realities of life.
 
T.P.O. by Joselito Altarejos follows the life of Teresa, an abused wife who attempts to secure her freedom by filing a temporary protection order against her abusive husband only to be caught in the battered system of bureaucracy filled with neglect and indifference.
 
This year’s Sinag Maynila also introduces two new categories to the festival: the Short Film Category and the Samsung Cinefone Category.
 
The finalists in these categories were gathered from numerous entries from students and up-and coming filmmakers.
 
The Sinag Maynila Gala Night will be held tonight, while the Awards Night will be on April 24, both.at the Samsung Hall of SM Aura Premier.
 
For those who are planning to watch all of the Sinag Maynila 2016 films, avail of the Sinag Maynila ePLUS’s promo, which contains one ticket each to the Sinag Maynila 20I6 screening at a special discounted price of P100,one free ticket to the opening film, one free ticket to the closing film, and one free ticket to the Brillante Mendoza Film Appreciation Course. The ePLUS card is available at all SM Cinema branches nationwide.