THE first Peter’s Prize for Film in 2019 was won by then 18-year-old Richard Olano Jr. of Sapian, Capiz for his three-minute silent experimental film “Litanya sang Dutang Ginpatumbayaan” (Litany of the Land Forsaken).
The film bested 18 other entries and premiered at the 1st The Peter Solis Nery Foundation International Film Festival (The PSNFIFF).
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Last year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the three-minute silent film festival, and the Peter’s Prize for Film, took a break.
But the pandemic also taught us that films will always be made – pandemic or no pandemic.
Also, it inspired The PSN Foundation to set the pace of The PSNFIFF to… biennial.
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First announced in March, this now is the last call for the 2021 Peter’s Prize for Film.
The submission dates are June 24 to June 30, with very little likelihood of deadline extension. (That’s how we maintain our Peter’s Prize integrity: we stick to our word and rules.)
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As in our first edition, the film contest is open only to three-minute silent films.
The theme is open, and the films can explore any topic the filmmaker feels strongly about.
The film must be at least 160 seconds long, and at most 180 seconds. Films 181 seconds and longer are automatically disqualified.
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By silent, we mean there are no uttered dialogues, no voice narration. The filmmakers may use title cards or intertitles (printed text/dialogues edited in between filmed action).
They may also use original music or film score. We discourage music copyrighted by other artists because it could limit the exhibition possibilities of the film.
Ambient sounds (naturally captured) or sound effects may also be used.
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In the first Peter’s Prize for Film, various films have been submitted, and qualified: live action narratives, advocacy films, documentaries, CGI effects, dance films, experimental, and even what look like infomercials.
We continue to encourage and celebrate this diversity.
Of course, we are all excited for animation submissions. For music videos. For complete CGI films. For food films. For stop action. And who knows what their talents may inspire our participating filmmakers.
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There is no one definite or definitive look or voice that we are looking for. We love to be surprised.
The contest gathers everything silent and three-minute long. If it’s submitted to us, and it follows our general guidelines, we qualify it.
And then, we have a jury to watch the qualified films, and rate them.
And the best film in the collective taste of the judges wins.
So yeah, be a distinct and original voice, but also think about an audience.
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All the qualified films become selections to The PSNF International Film Festival. We can afford that because the films are only three minutes long.
And if one film is so bad, what’s a wasted three minutes of your life when you also get to see other brilliant three-minute films alongside it?
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In contrast to the 2019 Peter’s Prize for Film that only awarded a P10,000 winner-take-all grand prize, this year’s contest will award three prizes: 1st prize of P5,000; 2nd prize of P3,000; and 3rd prize of P2,000.
The first prize winner will also get the Peter’s Prize medallion for Film, and the commission to be The PSN Foundation’s Ambassador for Film Arts.
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All entries must be submitted on mp4 format only.
The email address for submission is: 500tinaga@gmail.com.
Subject headline: Entry to Peter’s Prize Film.
Include real name, address, contact information like valid email.
Submission dates: June 24 to June 30 only.
Qualified films may be requested to provide an 18” x 24” portrait orientation (digital file) poster at a later date. (Usually, our request will come when we notify participants of their qualification and selection to The PSNFIFF.)
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With the plethora of films and film festivals sprouting all over the world, and especially during the pandemic, The Peter Solis Nery Foundation for Hiligaynon Literature and the Arts, Inc. is proud to provide a venue and platform for three-minute silent films.
We are proud to have started The PSNF International Film Festival in 2019 before the pandemic; we are prouder to carry on this year despite the pandemic.
Because art knows no boundaries.
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Meanwhile, the other Peter’s Prize for 2021 is for Very Short Stories for Children. (See my last issue for detailed information.) Each entry should contain three children’s stories in Hiligaynon, each story with only 300 to 500 words. They should be emailed to 500tinaga@gmail.com from June 12 to the June 15 deadline.
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So far, several people have donated cash for the conduct of the 2021 Peter’s Prize. And we thank them profusely:
Amie Valle of New York, a classmate in the elementary and high school in Dumangas.
Eric Antoque also of New York, Amie’s colleague who believes in the Peter’s Prize, and the online work of The PSN Foundation.
Candy Feliciano now of Northern Marianas, a multilingual Aklanon who I met online this year, and who was a judge in the Peter’s Prize for Covid Literature.
Rochelle Diasnes Deocampo of Dubai, another kababayan from Dumangas who has always supported me and my Foundation.
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Please consider donating to the Peter’s Prize Fund.
I only accept $100 or P5,000 for regular donations. It might take a lot of convincing for me to accept donations more than these.
Oh, and FYI, the Peter’s Prize will be 10 years old next year. And for the first four years, I funded it all by myself.
I only accepted donations in 2017, when we expanded the Prize from the usual two or three categories to five.
But I want to have a grand 10th year bash next year. I know it will be costly. But I also trust in people’s generosity and Divine Providence. So help me God!/PN
