Defining the Aesthetics of Philippine Independent Cinema: An Interview with Brillante Mendoza

The year 2005 was a defining moment for Philippine independent cinema. Indie films, long relegated to the margins of Philippine cinema, gained mainstream acceptance via the opening of two film festivals the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and the Cinema One Originals. The aim of both festivals, apart from showcasing independently-produced films, is to fund the works of new and promising filmmakers who can present a unique and innovative mode of storytelling without the repressive control of mainstream movie studios, albeit with less than half of the usual mainstream budget. Some of the films produced by these festivals have been screened or have competed in various international film festivals. A few even enjoyed a commercial run at major movie houses in key cities in the Philippines.