UP Cinema Arts Society (UP CAST)

University of the Philippines Cinema Arts Society (UP CAST) official logo

Overview

The UP Cinema Arts Society (UP CAST) is an academic-based non-profit organization of film enthusiasts based in the College of Mass Communication, University of the Philippines - Diliman. Founded on August 24, 1990, our organization aspires to train members in the technical and aesthetic principles of film and video production, seeking to contribute to the growing consciousness of Philippine Cinema.

As we continue to pursue this aim, we have never abandoned our full-fledged commitment to promote and encourage the development of a critical Filipino film audience and future media practitioners of the country through our various projects.

History

The UP Cinema Arts Society (UP CAST), founded on August 24, 1990, is an academic-based non-profit organization of film enthusiasts based in the College of Mass Communication, University of the Philippines - Diliman.

Officers

The organization is currently being led by Jonah Garcia as President; With Bernice Dy as the Vice President for External Affairs, John Raymond San Jose as the Vice President for Internal Affairs, Emily Rose Fast as the Secretariat, and Joshua Manuel as the Treasurer.

Castellations' official poster for UP CAST 25th anniversary held last 29 August 2015

Activities

For 25 years, we've been holding alternative learning venues to complement classroom discussion, guiding students by supporting student film or video productions, facilitating workshops, symposia and film viewing activities and training our members in the different aspects of production to create well-rounded and competitive upcoming practitioners in the industry.

Castellations

Castellations is an annual event held every August in celebration of the UP CAST Month. Here, films of members and alumni are screened with performances from various bands in between. Complementary foods and drinks are served

Achievements and Alumni

We are proud of our award-winning members and their films. A number of our members have and are actively participating in film festivals such as the UP Film and Video Festival, Inyorai, Piling Obrang Video Film Festival, Ateneo Video Open, Gawad CCP, Cinemanila, among others, and in other art alliance organizations.

Our notable alumni are:

Giancarlo Abrahan

• director/writer Dagitab (2014)
  • Cinemalaya 2014
    -won Best Director (New Breed)
    -won Best Screenplay
• director/writer May Dinadala (2013)
  • UPFI Likha Adarna (2013)
    -Special Mention for Narrative Film
  • Gawad Urian (2014)
    -won Best Short Film nomination
• writer Transit (2013)
  • Cinemalaya (2013)
    -won Best Film (New Breed)
    -won Audience Choice Award
  • Gawad Urian (2014)
    -nominated for Best Picture
    -nominated for Best Screenplay
  • Star Awards for Movies (2014)
    -nominated for Indie Movie Screenwriter of the Year
  • official Filipino entry to the Oscars (2013)
• writer Islands (2013)

Raya Martin

• director/writer Independencia (2009)
  • Cannes Film Festival (2009)
    -nominated for Un Certain Regard Award
  • Bangkok International Film Festival (2009)
    -won Southeast Asian Competition Golden Kinnaree Award
    -won Netpac Award
  • Cinemanila International Film Festival (2009)
    -nominated for Lino Brocka Award
  • Valdivia International Film Festival (2009)
    -won Critics Award
    -won Special Jury Award
• director/writer Autohystoria (2007)
  • Cinemanila International Film Festival (2007)
    -won Best Director
    -won Lino Brocka Award
  • Marseille Festival of Documentary Film (2007)
    -won Special Mention
• director/writer Next Attraction (2008)
  • Cinemanila International Film Festival (2008)
    -won Grand Jury Prize
    -nominated for Lino Brocka Award

Sasha Palomares

• cinematographer Mariquina (2014)
• cinematographer Colossal (2012)
  • Gawad Urian (2013)
    -won Best Cinematography
• cinematographer Islands (2013)
  • Cinema One Originals Film Festival (2013)
    -nominated for Best Cinematography
• cinematographer Shift (2013)
  • Cinema One Originals Film Festival (2013)
    -nominated for Best Cinematography

Armi Cacanindin

• production designer Tribu (2007)
  • Cinemalaya (2007)
    -won Best Film
• Gawad Urian (2008)
  -won Best Picture
  -nominated for Best Production Design
  • Star Awards for Movies (2008)
    -nominated for Digital Movie Production Designer of the Year
• assistant director Independencia (2009)
• assistant director Graceland (2012)
• producer #Y (2014)
• assistant director Yanggaw (2008)
• assistant director Ronda (2014)

See Also

UP CAST facebook page

instagram: @upcast

twitter: @castpers

UP CAST tumblr blog