By: John Ryan Padlan
Photo from Razelle de Guzman
From a school requirement to a winner of the country’s biggest independent film festival, Barbee Olaivar, one of the directors of ‘Nakauwi Na’, is beyond grateful on receiving the Audience Choice award for Short Film category in the recently concluded Cinemalaya 2017.
“Personally, sobrang saya ko kasi dati nanunuod lang din ako ng Cinemalaya kasi mahilig talaga ako sa indies, so ‘yung mapabilang sa shorts ay more than enough, manalo pa kaya,” the Communication major said. “‘Yung iba pang kasama kong director mga idol ko lang dati ngayon friends ko na.”
Olaivar could not also imagine herself stepping up onstage to receive an award. Also, being part of the competition was a stepping stone and a great experience for her to finally get into the film industry.
“Sobrang daming pinag daanan ng film namin kaya grateful kami na mapabilang siya sa ganoon kalaking festival at makuha ‘yung Audience Choice award,” she added.
After the Cinemalaya season, Olaivar shared that they have been receiving invites for screening from exhibit venues.
“May isang kumausap sakin, Artist Playground, isang art venue na nag sho-showcase ng ibat ibang art form,” she shared.
The film production team is also looking forward to joining international film festival like in Busan and Singapore.
‘Nakauwi Na’ film deals with Mang Jerry as he finds ways to earn enough money to get his son, a victim of extrajudicial killings, out of the funeral home. Directed by Marvin Cabangunay and Barbee Olaivar, both AB Communication graduates, the said film was originally an official entry for CinemaKnights which was later on hailed as Best Film in Excellance 2017, the Institute of Communication’s annual Awards for Communication Excellence.
Olaivar and her team gladly received the said award last August 13 at Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).
Philippines