SM Cinema’ s 1st Bigshot Film Festival

SM Cinema, in its continuing efforts to champion the advancement of film literacy in the country and to promote Philippine cinema as a vehicle of cultural identity, spearheaded project Bigshot – SM Cinema’s Search for Student Filmmakers. Garnering over 50 script-entries on the theme “Modern Day Heroism” from various schools nationwide, Bigshot officially kicked off last December 2, 2010 with the announcement of the Top 15 student-finalists at The Podium.Then on December 15, 2010 at the Director’s Club, SM MOA, the Top 3 Bigshots from the 15 finalists were named: Archie Dimaculangan of UP –Diliman for his entry “Balang Araw”, Bianca Catbagan and Jose Antonio De Rivera, both from UP – Diliman, for “Suntok Sa Buwan” and Krizzie Syfu of DLSU for “Tahanan”.

SM Cinema together with The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and three of the most respected film practitioners in the country: Mr. Raymond Lee, writer-producer of award-winning films such as Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros, Zombadings: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington and Anak; two-time Palanca awardee and award-winning director Mr.Mark Meily and film historian and director of Center for New Cinema Mr.Nick Deocampo screened and chose the top student film makers. As a prize for coming up with the best script-entries, the Top 3 Bigshots were awarded a generous P600,000 which aided them in producing a full-length piece.

This January 2012, SM Cinema will officially launch the 1^st Bigshot Film Festival.  A press conference scheduled to happen on January 17, 2011 at the SM Mall of Asia shall be followed by film screenings from January 25 to 31 at the following SM Malls: SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM North Edsa, SM Manila and SM Cebu.

Furthermore, in its efforts to engage students and young cinephiles in supporting up-and-coming young filmmakers in the local independent film industry and to promote film literacy among the youth, SM Cinema is offering students a special discounted rate of only P50.00 per Bigshot movie ticket. Also, from January 9 to 23, 2012, lucky moviegoers who purchase a Bigshot movie ticket have a chance to win exciting prizes, from Flip videos to mobile phones.

To know more about the 1^st Bigshot Film Festival, the Top 3 Bigshots and their respective winning films, please visit www.smcinema.com