For many years, regional Filipino films have taken the backseat to Manila-based productions, released by mainstream studios like Star Cinema, with only occasional film projects from the South, such as Cesar Montano’s “Panaghoy sa Suba”. The prologue in the witty satire “Confessional”, which is set amidst Cebu’s Sinulog mardi gras, astutely pointed out that most people think that everything outside of Manila is “just a vacation spot”. In the past few years, however, the emergence of independent film festivals in the Philippines like Cinemalaya, where the indie hit “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros” debuted, has encouraged young talent from all over the country. For instance, Davaoeno filmmaker Sherad Sanchez, whose “Ang Huling Balyan ng Buhi” is part of the festival lineup, has recently bagged the Grand Prize in South Korea with his second film – and he’s only 24. National Artist for Film Lino Brocka did not make his first feature until he was nearly 30.

So far, regional Filipino films have earned accolades in festivals abroad including Singapore, India and France – proof of the diversity and richness of Filipino culture as visualized by cinematic storytellers. (To purchase tickets, visit www.indiobravo.org or call 1-800-838-3006.) The IndioBravo Film Festival is presented in partnership with GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV and in cooperation with Asian Journal, STIR.ph, HYPHEN Magazine, and Planet Philippines. Below, a quick tour of our regional cinemas:

Tirador (Metro Manila)

From Cannes 2009 Best Director winner Brillante Mendoza comes this virtuoso, fly-on-the-wall, at times shocking exposition of life in a volatile Manila slum. Mendoza’s camera work is so fluid and the acting so untethered, watching Tirador feels like spying. But Mendoza’s apparently self-effacing vision is at its most searing when trained on corrosive politicos, religious denialists and power-crazed cops—he appears to have merely turned on the camera and recorded them digging their own graves. Tirador makes it clear why Mendoza is considered a singular visionary among the mavericks of world film. (Friday, June 12, 8:00 p.m., Visual Arts Theater 2; Sunday, June 14, 6:20 p.m., Visual Arts Theater 1)

Baler (Pampanga)

You don’t choose love; it chooses you. Which can lead to some awkward situations. Take the case of winsome Feliza Reyes (Anne Curtis), who falls in love with the dashing Celso Resurrecion (Jericho Rosales). Match made in heaven, right? Problem is, it’s 1898 and Feliza’s father, the Philippine rebel leader Nanding (Phillip Salvador), is leading a siege against the Spanish rifle battalion to which Celso belongs. Come see why Baler, a sweeping historical romance, cleaned up at the Metro Manila Film Awards in 2008. Starring Jericho Rosales, Anne Curtis, Phillip Salvador, Michael de Mesa, Baron Geisler, Ryan Eigenmann, Joel Torre. (Opening Night Selection: Thursday, June 11, 7:15 p.m., MoMA Titus 1; Sunday, June 14, 4:10pm, Visual Arts Theater 1)

Ang Huling Balyan ng Buhi (Davao)

Imagine a world in which your beliefs and values, the music you listen to, the clothes you wear and even the language you speak are threatened with destruction—by technology, development and the encroachment of cultures more materially powerful than your own. Cultural survival lies at the heart of this bold and challenging film, in which a balyan (priestess) performs a non-indigenous ritual to save her grandchild, setting off a chain of consequences that impact everyone around her.(Friday, June 12 at 6:00 p.m., Visual Arts Theater 1)

Confessional (Cebu)

Do-it-yourself documentarian Ryan Pastor is a cynic. “Lies + Lies = Truth,” he snarks during Confessional‘s opening frames, before embarking with his girlfriend on a trip to shoot the Sinulog mardi gras festival in Cebu. True to the essence of this ancient costumed spectacle-cum-commercialized tourist trap, nothing is quite what it seems. The duo encounter a nun with a surprising past, an entertainer of indeterminate gender and an ex-politician who is either a charlatan, a menace, a genuine penitent or all three. Confessional gleefully explodes the boundaries between “reality” and fantasy, documentary and fiction, while offering a fascinating glimpse into the paradoxes of Filipino culture and identity. (Saturday, June 13, 4:00 p.m., Visual Arts Theater 1; Sunday, June 14, 3:30 p.m., Visual Arts Theater 2)

Donsol (Sorsogon)

Weary, urban sophisticate Teresa (the luminous Angel Aquino) flees Manila’s urban sprawl for the idyllic, sun-drenched coast of Sorsogon. Heading to Donsol, “whale shark capital of the world,” with her perky journalist sister (Cherie Gil) in tow, Teresa hopes to find solace and an underwater encounter with one of the endangered gentle giants who return perennially to the area to mate. What she encounters is young, easy-on-the-eyes Daniel (Sid Lucero), a local dive guide nursing some hurt of his own. Donsol is an elegaic meditation on nature, mortality, temptation and devotion. Starring Angel Aquino, Sid Lucero, Jaclyn Jose, Bembol Roco, Cherie Gil (Friday, June 12, 10:10 p.m., Visual Arts Theater 2; Saturday, June 13, 5:00 p.m., Visual Arts Theater 2)

Yanggaw (Bacolod)

This powerful horror film is set in a rural village where superstition and dark beliefs run deep. When gentle, beautiful Amor (Aleera Montalla) comes down with an illness no conventional doctor can diagnose, she begins to disappear on the same nights that residents of her village are violently murdered. Fearing their daughter is possessed, her parents (Ronnie Lazaro and Tetchie Agbayani) seek the counsel of a faith healer. But ultimately they are forced to take matters into their own hands. Starring Ronnie Lazaro, Tetchie Agbayani, Joel Torre (Friday, June 12, 10:15 p.m., Visual Arts Theater 1; Saturday, June 13, 5:15 p.m., Visual Arts Theater 1)

“Technophilia” explores how technology can shape people’s lifestyles, affect their relationships, and make their interactions as mechanistic as their gadgets. It stars fresh Korean, Japanese, and American talents and is made possible through the filmmaker’s participation at the Asian Filmmakers Training Program in Seoul, Korea last year.

A Korean-Filipino-Iraqi film production, the collaborative efforts for this short film was made possible by Colorwheel Media Studios through the help of the Korean Film Council, the prime mover in Korean cinema, Korean Academy of Film Arts, the country’s elite film school, and Korea University, where the filmmaker got an honorary alumna status during her six-month stay in Seoul last year.

The film was shot in 16mm film with final screening format in HD. Minister and Consul General Ohm Ki-sung of the Korean Embassy in Manila will be a guest of honor during the event.

Through the help of the Araneta Group, the films are privileged to be shown in HD format, not via a low resolution DVD projection. Within the premiere of the said films will be a full program incorporating a brief discussion on how independent filmmakers can maximize the filmmaking process. Gateway will provide information on how the digital cinema is starting to shape the future of film theaters. Christie will give basic details about the HD projection on digital cinemas. Optima Digital will discuss the feature film workflows available for filmmakers, and the NCCA will impart information about their grant system for independent filmmakers. A Q&A will follow after the screenings.

The event is made possible by the Gateway Cineplex 10, NCCA, Colorwheel Media Studios, Innovasia, Marikina Cultural Affairs Office, and Korean Embassy. The premiere is open to the public. Email nordic.gift@gmail.com to reserve free tickets. First come, first served. You may visit www.peraperahanglata.blogspot.com, www.technophiliafilm.blogspot.com, and www.riannehillsoriano.com/blog for more information about the films.

Funded by the NCCA and shot in HD format, the 30-minute independent film “Pera-perahang Lata” (Penny from the Tin Can) explores the many facets of a struggling life in a world that is full of unpredictable moments – where things are beyond one’s control. Set during the Filipino Christmas season – amidst the exciting tradition of gift-giving, caroling, and the “Simbang Gabi” – this film exposes both the rich culture and the struggle of Filipinos in the Manila commune.

Von Arroyo plays the role of Nilo, a 24-year old struggling, introvert, and critical man working in a can factory. He has the urge to defy his dominating guilt of contributing to a tragedy due to his unconcern. At the back of his mind, he thinks that a little generosity could have saved a needy stranger. However, in trying to make up for it, another tragedy draws a life to an end. And the questions are: “Will every good thing you do always account to something good thing in return?” Pondering, “Can you really have a complete grasp of what is said to be fair and just?” And thinking further, “Why should it be that you make up for your guilt and correct your mistake at the wrong place and time?”

The film is written and directed by Rianne Hill Soriano, Gawad Urian nominee for Best Short Film, Kodak Film Awardee, and Best Production Thesis at the University of the Philippines Film Institute for her first film “Karsel” and a fellow of the Asian Filmmakers Training Program 2008 in Seoul, Korea. Completing the list of the major filmmakers in the film: director of photography Wowie Hao, production designer Joy Puntawe, production manager Gavin Herrera, assistant director Karla Pambid, art directors Armi Cacanindin and Kiko Tolentino, musical scorer/sound engineer Philip Arvin Jarilla, associate producer Ayeen Pineda, field sound recordists Mark Locsin and Joseph Santos, and casting coordinator Gigi Pirote.

The production is blessed by the generosity of Unitel Productions, FILMEX, Engine Room, Optima Digital, Hit Productions, Outpost Digital Frontier, city government of Marikina, Marikina Riverbanks, St. Francis Xavier Parish Church, Brass Knuckles, and Streetpark Productions. The film also stars Arnold Reyes, Gio Respall, Paul Sy, Dante Balois, Rey Solo, Dido dela Paz, Marnie Lapus, and other talented character actors and actresses in film, TV, and theater.

Through the help of the Araneta Group, the films are privileged to be shown in HD format, not via a low resolution DVD projection. Within the premiere of the said films will be a full program incorporating a brief discussion on how independent filmmakers can maximize the filmmaking process. Gateway will provide information on how the digital cinema is starting to shape the future of film theaters. Christie will give basic details about the HD projection on digital cinemas. Optima Digital will discuss the feature film workflows available for filmmakers, and the NCCA will impart information about their grant system for independent filmmakers. The Minister and Consul General of the Korean Embassy will be a guest of honor during the event. A Q&A will follow after the screenings.

The premiere is open to the public. Email nordic.gift@gmail.com to reserve free tickets. First come, first served. You may visit www.peraperahanglata.blogspot.com, www.technophiliafilm.blogspot.com, and www.riannehillsoriano.com/blog for more information about the films.