SineBuano.com

Last month, I had a meeting with Mike Anissimov, a professional editor and filmmaker from South California who was briefly based in San Fernando, Cebu.

During his short stay, he recently pushed for the initial stages of a ‘movement’ that aims to equip every barangay in Cebu the means to host film viewings. Stateside, Mike was involved in community film festivals that opened doors and spread support for independent films and interest in filmmaking.

He saw that something similar could be made here, starting at the “grass roots level”.

Mike and his colleagues formed the Bahala Na Film Collective. Their aim is to interest the barangay youth, especially those who are “out-of-school”, in films or at the very least, simply influence them towards a positive end.

They staged an experiment in Barangay Tungkil, Minglanilla. Mike was kind enough to share these photos.

Mike and the Collective had a large viewing screen made, provided the DVD player, film projector and audio system. The free film viewings drew in sizeable audiences each night, showing the Collective the potential of their efforts.

Mike hopes their project could spread. He foresees that this can be an avenue where people can view and enjoy alternative films other than what is being shown in mainstream theaters.

This is helpful for local Cebuano indie filmmakers who are looking for audiences to watch their films.

Mike is now presently back in the U.S. but he plans to come back late this year and pursue this project.

On behalf of SineBuano, I wished him the best of luck and offered the group’s assistance to the Collective’s activities. We look forward to working with them in promoting community awareness and appreciation for films, particularly those created locally in Cebu by Cebuanos.