"Istorya Ng Pag-Asa" 2019 Opens For More Inspiring Stories

With a lot of disturbing and negative imagery in news and in different forms of media, it's great to see that there is a film festival that aims to spread goodness and inspiration through short films. Spearheaded by the Office of the Vice President of the Philippines, Istorya Ng Pag-Asa Film Festival is again open to filmmakers to submit  stories of Filipinos that are truly uplifting and sends a good message to all.

For this year the prizes are now bigger as they expect to have more entries that can come here and abroad. The project is also supported by the Ayala Foundation, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines. VP Leni Robredo shares that this is a great way to spread positivity and inspiration for Filipinos which has been exposed with a lot of conflicts and struggles. 

Last year, they were able to get almost 80 entries and they have to trim it down to 15 finalists. The works were shown in Ayala Malls Cinemas and eventually launched digitally online. Stories vary from tales from people who are overcoming disabilities, struggle from poverty, being strong despite sickness, and many more inspirational narration that leaves a good feeling in the end.The festival also aims to  spread the perseverance, dedication, and warmth of ordinary Filipinos amid life's adversities.

This year's winner for Best Film will take home P80,000, while the 1st and 2nd runners-up will get P50,000 and P30,000, respectively. 
There will be also awards for Best Script, Best Director, and Best Cinematography,  and for this year,  they will also give away a People's Choice Award and a special award from Ayala Foundation. Advocating the film festival is Kapuso Actor Dingdong Dantes who has always supported the Vice President and gladly promotes the film festival as he is also seen as the model for the Filipino youth.

"It is our hope that through Istorya ng Pag-asa-lalo na iyong istorya ng Pag-asa Film Festival-Filipinos will be united around the common values of hope, of perseverance, deep faith, and the goodness of humanity. Kasi iyon iyong talagang underlying theme ng bawat kuwento," says Vice President Leni Robredo.

The festival is open to all Filipinos-even non-professional filmmakers and those based overseas-who must tell their chosen true story of hope in 3- to 5- minute short film. The full contest mechanics just go to www.istoryangpagasa.ovp.gov.ph. Deadline for entries is on March 25, 2019, Monday.