After receiving a grant from Star Magic to develop their 2-minute video entries into 15-minute short films while being mentored by esteemed directors Mikhail Red (“Eerie” & “Birdshot) JP Habac (“I’m Drunk I Love You”) & “Sakaling Maging Tayo”) and Victor Villanueva (“Kusina Kings” & “Patay na si Hesus”).
These promising finalists were selected by, the screening committee composed of Piolo Pascual, Nash Aguas, Khalil Ramos, Janus del Prado, Ketchup Eusebio, Renee Dominique and Star Magic’s very own, Johnny Manahan as well as the jury composed of industry pioneers namely: Leo Katigbak, Head of ABS-CBN’s Special Projects and Film Restoration, Ronald Arguelles head of Channel Management—Cinema One and Velvet channels, and Ice Idanan, independent film director of “Sakaling Hindi Makarating,” “Ania ‘ti nagan mo” and “Limang Libo.”
The first short film is “Viral Kids” by Arjanmar “Gab” Rebeta, who was mentored by Direk JP Habac, stars young Star Magic artists Ashley Sarmiento and Josh de Guzman, as well as Kenken Nuyad, Krystle Campos, Annika Cidro and Soliman Cruz. “Viral Kids” features interconnected stories of 4 street children who are viral online.
Then there’s “Napaano Ka, Arna?” by Patricia Ann Rivera, who was mentored by Direk Victor Villanueva, which stars Pokwang and Zeus Collins and the creator herself.
“Napaano Ka Arna?” tackles the story of 21-year-old Arna Carlos who happens to be her mother’s only child. Her father and his in-laws are out of the picture so she and her mom, Fides, have been fending for themselves since she was little. The two managed to get by until Nanay was diagnosed with cancer. Arna put off college to work and help sustain their family when her mother got sick.
As Fides condition worsens, they run out of people to seek help from. Their combined earnings and the little help they receive from charities are no longer enough for increasing medical bills. Worried for her mother’s life, Arna does the unthinkable.
And finally, there’s “Ngawa” by Victor Elijah Gador, who was mentored by Direk Mikhail Red, which stars Myrtle Sarrosa and Luis Hontiveros.
“Ngawa” follows the story of Keeno, who forces his girlfriend, Sam to abort and bury the child after graduation day to pursue their plans in the future together without a responsibility other than themselves.
The 3 short films would also be simultaneously available for viewing at the Star Magic Hub at http://starmagic.abs-cbn.com/.
Still in celebration of Star Magic’s 27th anniversary, Lights, Camera, Magic is Star Magic’s very own effort in tapping the continuously growing digital content creation scene.
