Likewise, Audience Choice award recipient Nico Hernandez for Tatang says his film is inspired by his passion to feature the tales of the people he met during the short period that he was a broadcast journalist.

Realizing goals at an early age makes the young directors fulfilled. Maita Lirra Reyes Lupac, Hulagpos filmmaker says, "I've already achieved what I wanted by joining Cinemalaya." Reyes is a fresh graduate from the UP Diliman College of Mass Communication and Hulagpos was actually her college thesis.

Pepe Diokno, a film major at the UP Diliman College of Mass Communications has been joining Cinemalaya for years. "It feels really good. It's like I have my future all set," he shares.

Filmmaking hurdles

Milo Sogueco, Sanglaan director says budget and time constraints are among the biggest challenges encountered by independent filmmakers. Si Bok at ang Trumpo director Hubert Tibi encountered similar problems but the most challenging was directing first time actors.

Logistical constraints also figured in the process but film makers easily surpass these challenges. Mangatyanan director Jerrold Tarog says cooperation and good relationship among the staff helps them get through those problems.

Dinig Sana Kita, which won Audience Choice Award, will have a solo run at the Robinsons Galleria's Indie Sine starting August 26 with three screenings daily, according to the film's Facebook fan page.

Photographs by Jewels Sison.