The first PUREGOLD film festival, CinePanalo, has garnered significant interest owing to its generous production grants. The festival aims to assist a chosen group of participating filmmakers financially. As of now, the festival has generated substantial interest, and the application process is currently in progress to identify those who will be included.

Promising film directors will soon be able to share and produce their own "stories of life's victories" as part of PUREGOLD's recently launched film festival.

Vincent Co, President of PUREGOLD Price Club Inc., shared insights into the exciting prospects that await participants.

“We want CinePanalo to uplift the spirits of young and gifted filmmakers, who are just waiting for a break,” he said.

PUREGOLD's CinePanalo Film Festival is actively seeking narratives that align with the festival's central theme, "Mga Kwentong Panalo ng Buhay" (Stories of Life's Victories).

“We hope that the financial grant and the sheer exposure they get will provide an important boost to their aspirations.”

A select few that will best capture the spirit of the festival’s theme will receive grants. Five amateur and professional directors will receive P2,500,000 each to produce a feature film for the festival.

Festival director Chris Cahilig affirmed this while highlighting the theme's significance.

“CinePanalo aims to leave audiences with the warm and fuzzy feeling that truly great cinema can inspire.

"On this note, we look forward to seeing the wonderful stories our local directors will earnestly share with the public.”

A select few whose works best capture the spirit of the festival's theme will receive grants. Five amateur and professional directors will each be awarded P2,500,000 to produce feature films for the festival.

Meanwhile, 25 student filmmakers will be granted P100,000 each to produce short films. The completed shorts will be featured during a three-day festival scheduled at Gateway Cinemas from March 8 to 10, 2024. The short films will also be screened on PUREGOLD's official social media platforms, including the PUREGOLD Channel on YouTube. These shorts will be presented alongside PUREGOLD's successful retailtainment series such as GV Boys, Ang Babae sa Likod ng Face Mask, and Ang Lalaki sa Likod ng Profile.

“People need films that the whole family can enjoy,” Cahilig points. “At a time when films marked by violence or worldly desires are increasingly made accessible to more people, the CinePanalo Film Festival’s focus will be on more heartfelt and hope-filled stories.”

The festival was officially introduced during a press conference arranged by Cinema 76 Film Society on August 8. Since the event's announcement, festival organizers have fielded numerous inquiries from interested filmmakers. A distinguished selection committee will evaluate all submissions to identify the directors who will shape the festival's lineup in March 2024.

Interested participants may email [email protected] to receive the materials needed to apply. All applications and requirements must be emailed back on October 27, 2023. A shortlist of selected directors is expected to drop on November 6, 2023.