UP Cineastes' Studio

University of the Philippines Cineastes' Studio
The newly recontructed standard logo of the UP Cineastes' Studio
Founded	September 24, 1984 (1984-09-24) UP College of Mass Communication
Type	student organization
Scope	University-wide
Motto	Filmmakers at any cost
Publication	Splice
Members	100+ (active members) collegiate
Headquarters	UP Film Institute, Media Center, College of Mass Communication, University of the Philippines Diliman Quezon City, Philippines
Homepage	www.upcineastes.org

The University of the Philippines Cineastes' Studio, commonly known as UP Cineastes' Studio or UP CINEASTES is a non-stock, non-profit, duly-recognized, university-wide student film organization based at the UP College of Mass Communication, University of the Philippines Diliman, committed to serve the film community and promote film awareness, appreciation and understanding, and as well as to other forms of artistic expression.^[1]

It is the first film organization for students in the Philippines, established on September 24, 1984, preceding that of the film department of the College of Mass Communication. UP Cineastes was home to prominent figures in Philippine media such as directors Cathy Garcia-Molina, Joyce Bernal, broadcasters and television personalities Kim Atienza and Christine Bersola-Babao as well as Eraserheads frontman Ely Buendia.^[2]

In recent years, the organization gained notability for being an integral part in the promotion of Philippine independent cinema to a larger audience, bringing the two largest independent film festivals Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival^[3] and Cinema One Originals to the academic community.

The organization's name is derived from the film term cineaste, a word that comes from the 20th century French fusion of the words cinematographe and enthusiaste.

History

The UP Cineastes' Studio was formed on September 24, 1984. It started out as an organization just for film students of the University of the Philippines Diliman but later on expanded to include students from the College of Home Economics, College of Education, UP College of Engineering, UP College of Business Administration, and other UP Diliman colleges as well.

Ever since its conception, UP Cineastes' Studio has been inclined in upholding the art of filmmaking, well known for its continuous film exhibitions in the past years, and for its tie-ups with the UP Film Institute in holding previous events such as the UP Film & Video Festival for independent amateur/professional filmmakers, the Black Beret Film Festival for student filmmakers, the staging of Russian Film Festival, Fade to Black, the 16mm Film Festival and It's A Wrap.

In the past decade, the UP Cineastes' Studio has gained popularity among film enthusiasts for its ability to host large film events, due to its yearly staging of the university leg of the two of the largest independent film festivals in the country. Cinemalaya Goes UP, the UP Diliman leg of the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, has been a tradition of its own in the northern part of Metro Manila, with viewers flocking the University of the Philippines Film Center in Diliman after the staging of the festival in the Cultural Center of the Philippines. UP Cineastes also successfully staged the Cinema One Originals Campus Tour, also held in the UP Film Center. In 2013, the first CineFilipino Film Festival was also brought to the university through the organization.

Recently, the organization also presents various smaller film competitions sponsored by companies such as Maynilad Water Services^[4] and Hyundai.^[5] UP Cineastes also co-organizes premieres and special screenings of different independent films like Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington and MNL 143.

Goal

The goal of the organization is to uphold cinema, particularly local cinema and to initiate activities that would elevate the knowledge and craftsmanship in film and the arts, and to promote fellowship among film students.^[6]

Executive Board

Membership

Membership is open to all students of UP Diliman. Membership application is held on a two-month process every semester, usually beginning on July for the first semester and on January on the second semester. Applicants are then immersed to various film workshops and activities.

Members are sorted to specific committees and are expected to contribute to the different events staged by the organization throughout the year. Membership can be renewed every year until graduation. At its peak, UP Cineastes' Studio has more than a hundred active members on a single semester, making it one of the largest academic organizations in the university.

Roster of Active Members (as of February 2015)

Activities

Film Production

Since a core of the organization's population are students from the UP Film Institute, members also produce short films from time to time. Usually, members take pride in labeling their films as a 'UP Cineastes' Studio Production' due to the members' hands-on involvement in the production of the film.

Various productions from the UP Cineastes' Studio has gained recognition in various festivals like the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, Cinemanila International Film Festival and the Filipino International Film Festival Los Angeles and were also keys for members to be sent to international talent camps like the Asian Film Academy and the Berlinale Talent Campus.

Org Reels Through The Years

A collection of UPFI Production Theses and outstanding works of its resident members in each year, the Org Reel gives everyone a glimpse of how the UP Cineastes' Studio has mastered their craft through continuous involvement in activities that further not only their technical competencies in student filmmaking, but in also creating, visualizing and framing the most compelling stories.

2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012

2013

2014

2015

Cinemalaya Goes UP

Bringing the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, to its student audience has been a tradition of the organization for past years.^[7] In partnership with the University of the Philippines Film Institute and the Cinemalaya Foundation, the festival pictures are brought from the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Cinemalaya's home, to the University of the Philippines Diliman campus for a two-week screening.^[8]

Cineaste Month

Established on September 24, 1984, UP Cineastes' Studio commemorates the organization's foundation with a month-long celebration. Throughout the month, numerous activities are held that are not only enjoyed by the students, but also by the wider film community. Programs are also designed to enhance knowledge and interest in films.

Grand Film Orgy

Film orgies are a well-loved tradition and is a signature activity of the organization. Members gather and watch a film, shortly after being screened, a discussion about the film is begun. Through film orgies, members and friends are able to analyze films at a more casual level. Active, inactive and alumni members are encouraged to participate. This allows fellowship among both students and practitioners, whereby intense learning takes place as insight is given and received from the industry.

D' Original Jologs Quiz Show

An anticipated university event on its own, D'Original Jologs Quiz Show plays tribute to Philippine pop culture by staging a dedicated quiz show. Jologs is a colloquial term usually used to refer to tastelessness and vulgarity but has gained positive definitions in recent years. Previously open only to UP Diliman students, participation in the quiz show was opened to everyone in recent years. Topics usually covered are local music, films, television show, and pop culture phenomena.

CinemaOne Originals Campus Tour

Cinema One Originals is the annual prime event of the cable channel, Cinema One. In 2005, the channel ventured into original digital movie productions under this project to showcase the talents and diverse voices of the local independent cinema. Each year, the UP Cineastes' Studio brings this event to the student audience to carry on the vision of expanding viewership of Philippine cinema as well as recognizing Filipino artistry at work.^[9]

Haute Auteur: Silent Video Competition

Conceptualized in 2009, Haute Auteur is a silent video competition hosted by the organization. With themes such as Cinématographe Lumière: Reflections on Early Cinema and Home Is Where the Art Is, Haute Auteur challenges budding filmmakers to go beyond and see how far sheer visuals can take them. The collection of videos are screened in a public venue (e.g. malls) wherein audiences from all walks of life share a unique film viewing experience. Each of the finalist's films will be scored live by musicians during the awards night.^[10]

SPLICE

The official publication of the UP Cineastes' Studio, SPLICE is a film magazine that aims to splice together the reel and the real. It strives to emphasize the role of film in society through articles, reviews, and creative works of art. Its first issue was released last March 2012 during the Haute Auteur 2012 awards night.

Achievements

Members of the UP Cineastes' Studio have earned great reputation in their fields of filmmaking both locally and internationally.

Some members have participated international talent camps such as the Berlinale Talent Camp in the Berlin International Film Festival.

Year after year, select graduating students of our organization have received prestigious academic awards such as the Best Thesis Awards and the Gloria Feliciano Best Thesis Award. Some of our Cineaste directed and produced films have also been recognized by respected award giving bodies such as the Gawad Urian and the Catholic Mass Media Awards. Still others have been entered into the Cinemalaya Short Film Festival and have been screened at international festivals like the Filipino International Film Festival Los Angeles.

Members continue to bring pride and honor to the organization as their works have been recognized by numerous award-giving bodies.

22nd Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video,
Experimental Category Honorable Mention
"22:19 (Ventedoz Diez Y Nueve)" by Luigina Marie Jose (2007A)

Best Work for/on/by Children, First Prize
"Idlip" by Loren Jane J. Rabadam (2007A)

34th Gawad Urian Nominee for Short Film
"Hungkag" by Asian Film Academy Fellow 2010, Carlo Francisco Manatad (2007A)

35th Gawad Urian Nominee for Short Film
"Liyab" by Adrian Gonzales (2010A)

2011 UPFI Special Award for Narrative
"Bawi" by Jono de Rivera (2008B) and "Galimgim" by Cristina Santiago (2007A)

Short Film Category - Cinemalaya, In Competition
"Debut" by Pamela Llanes Reyes (2010A)

SM Bigshot Grantees
"Balang Araw" by Arch Dimaculangan (2008B), Franne Cheska Ramos, Jono de Rivera (2008B)
"Suntok sa Buwan" by Jono de Rivera (2008B) and Bianca Catbagan

Cinemanila 2012 - Young Cinema Program
"Huling Araw ng Pagsisilbi" by Bienvenido Ferrer III (2009A)

4th Silvershorts .MOV 2011 - Finalist
"Numbalikdiwa" by Richmond Garcia (2005)

2012 UPFI Special Award for Narrative
"Para Kay Ama" by Relyn Tan (2008A)

2012 UPFI Special Award for Animation
"World Ipis" by Kristin Barrameda (2008B) and Joana Ubaldo

Berlinale Talent Camp - Participant
Carlo Francisco Manatad (2007A)

3rd CinePambata Film Festival 2011 - Finalist
"Idlip" by Loren Rabadam (2005)

2012 Twenty[24]Quatro Guerilla Filmmaking Marathon Best Picture and Best Directing
"Deadline" by Adi Bersales (2010A), Mikee Dela Cruz (2008A), Ara Generoso (2008A) and Victoria Mostoles (2009A)

13th Ateneo Video Open Best Direction and Best Editing
"Ugoy" by Maxine Casaclang (2007A)
Edited by Sari Estrada (2008A) and Michael Vincent Mercado (2007B)

Piling Obra Video 8 First Place Experimental Film
"Rise" by Tanja De Guzman (2009A)

References