Cell phone film fest deadline extended

If you have lots of free time, why not join a film fest?

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has urged students to be more productive during the semester break by joining the agency’s First Cinephone Film Festival under the annual Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

The contest which is open to all high school and college students calls for a three-minute long video shot with a cell phone camera. It should promote the theme “Restoring Road Courtesy among Motorists and Pedestrians.”

The contest was launched in July and the MMDA has so far uploaded 55 entries sent by participants from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao on www.cinephone.ph.

Those interested can view the entries on the web site and cast a vote for their favorites.

On Wednesday, the MMDA on its Facebook page also extended the deadline for the submission of entries to Nov. 5.

“This means no reason not to submit, right? Looking forward to your entries!” the announcement said.

During the annual film festival in December, the MMDA will choose six winners who will receive P25,000 each, in addition to post-production packages, digital cameras, broadband kits, high end smart phones, and an apprenticeship under film director Paul Soriano.

Soriano, the head of the MMFF New Wave student section, has posted a sample video shot on the Cinephone website. Titled “Find Love,” it encourages pedestrians to use the footbridge.