PHOTO: A stunning moment at the Alternativa Film Awards 2023, where attendees gathered to celebrate film achievements. (Photo Credits: Alternativa Film Awards 2023, Archive)
The Philippines has made a remarkable impact on the 2024 Alternativa Film Awards, ranking second in submissions with 132 entries, showcasing the country’s vibrant and diverse filmmaking talent.
This achievement highlights the creativity of Filipino filmmakers and elevates their stories on a global scale. The Alternativa Film Awards will be held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia on November 29.
The Alternativa Film Awards provide filmmakers from developing industries with a unique platform to gain global recognition for their artistic achievements and the social impact of their work. Following the success of last year’s inaugural event in Kazakhstan, this year’s edition expands its focus to Southeast Asia, inviting submissions from across the region. Out of the 1,043 entries received from 33 countries, the Philippines contributed 132 submissions out of 680 eligible entries—a significant testament to the country’s thriving creative industry. Other eligible entries were from Indonesia (206), Malaysia (58), Vietnam (56), India (40) and Thailand (40).
Liza Surganova, Head of Alternativa Film Project, said “We are delighted and honored to see such a huge increase in the number of submissions in the second year of the Awards. This shows the filmmaking community’s tremendous interest in our project, especially in South East Asia. This year we are also adding the Film Festival to the Awards to connect filmmakers and their impactful films with their audience and to initiate public discussions on issues that concern all of us”.
Leading up to the Awards Ceremony, several key activities will take place:
- Film Festival (22-28 November): Free public screenings of nominated films and discussions on social and cultural topics. These events will engage local and international filmmakers, students, activists, NGOs, and media, exploring cinema’s role in creating social impact.
- Industry Days (27-28 November): A specialized program of workshops, showcases, and meetings for film professionals. These sessions will foster collaboration between filmmakers, producers, and impact organizations to strengthen the link between film and social change.
Kanat Nogoibayev, Senior Communications Manager (Sustainability), inDrive, conveyed inDrive’s seriousness regarding its concern for social issues “InDrive has worked on the front lines of addressing social injustice wherever and whenever we can. Our business is growing rapidly with our mission to have a positive impact on communities around the world, including the Philippines. For this purpose we created a hub called inVision, which challenges the unjust allocation of resources in education, creative industries, startups and sports by making these areas accessible for everyone, and Alternativa Film Project is a crucial part of it”.
The Philippine submissions to the 2024 Alternativa Film Festival showcase a powerful shift in Southeast Asian cinema, where filmmakers are reclaiming cultural identity and addressing long-standing societal issues. These films tell deeply personal stories that resonate with audiences across the region, especially Filipinos, by confronting political repression, economic inequality, and the erosion of cultural values.
Filipino broadcast journalist Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala, Committee Member of Alternativa from the Philippines noted: “By highlighting underrepresented narratives, they reclaim Filipino identity and initiate meaningful conversations across ASEAN about shared histories and collective strength. Despite challenges in the Philippine film industry, the commitment to truth-telling remains unwavering. Filipino filmmakers bring boldness to their storytelling, contributing a vital voice to the Southeast Asian cinematic landscape. It’s an excellent contribution for Philippine filmmakers to be showcased at the Alternativa Film Festival, which brings professionals from this region to the global stage.”
According to Magsanoc-Alikpala, “The Philippine entry of films was delightfully diverse. It spanned multiple genres, explored urgent social issues with great courage, depth, nuance, and boldness, and showcased the boundless creativity of the Filipino filmmaker.”
The Alternativa Film Awards Selection Committee, consisting of 24 international film experts, will announce the nominees in mid-October. Winners, chosen by an International Jury made up of directors, producers, community leaders, and NGO representatives, will share a total prize fund of $100,000. Four winners in the full-length film categories will receive $20,000 each, while two winners in the short film categories will receive $10,000 each, to support their future filmmaking efforts or impact campaigns.
The Alternativa Film Awards is organized by the Alternativa Film Project, a global non-profit film initiative founded by international technology company inDrive.
