UP Cineastes Studio
The University of the Philippines Cineastes' Studio, commonly known as UP Cineastes' Studio or UP Cineastes, is a non-stock, non-profit, duly-recognized, university-wide student film organization based at the UP College of Mass Communication, University of the Philippines Diliman, committed to serve the film community and promote film awareness, appreciation and understanding, and as well as to other forms of artistic expression.
It is the first film organization for students in the Philippines, established on September 24, 1984, preceding that of the film department of the College of Mass Communication. UP Cineastes was home to prominent figures in Philippine media such as directors Cathy Garcia-Molina, Joyce Bernal, broadcasters and television personalities Kim Atienza and Christine Bersola-Babao, as well as Eraserheads frontman Ely Buendia.
Cineastes
The organization's name is derived from the film term cineaste, a word that comes from the 20th century French fusion of the words cinematographe and enthusiaste. Today, the modern English term has become cineaste, short for cinema enthusiast.
History
The UP Cineastes' Studio was formed on September 24, 1984. It started out as an organization just for film students of the University of the Philippines Diliman. But later on, it expanded to include students from the College of Home Economics, College of Education, College of Engineering, College of Business Administration, and other UP Diliman colleges as well.
Ever since its conception, UP Cineastes' Studio has been upholding the art of filmmaking. The organization is well-known for its continuous film exhibitions in the past years, and now for its tie-ups with the UP Film Institute in holding events such as the UP Film & Video Festival for independent amateur/professional filmmakers, the Black Beret Film Festival for student filmmakers, Russian Film Festival, Fade to Black, the 16mm Film Festival and It’s A Wrap.
The goal of the organization has always been to uphold cinema, particularly local cinema. Also to initiate activities that would elevate the knowledge and craftsmanship in our field of endeavor, and to promote fellowship among film students. And through the years, it can be said that the UP Cineastes' Studio has been steadfast in realizing these goals. In so doing, the organization is now considered an instrumental factor in the continuous promotion of film appreciation and awareness in the UP Diliman community.
Executive Board
| President | Rocky Morilla |
| Executive Vice President | Drestel Leigh Galang |
| Secretary | Janine De Villa |
| Treasurer | Lyka Policarpio |
| Vice President for Creative Affairs | James Andrey Gutierrez |
| Vice President for Education and Research | Marc Stanley Mozo |
| Vice President for External Relations | Ally Sanga |
| Vice President for Internal Affairs | Jasmine Mendoza |
| Vice President for Marketing | Hans Gabrielle Piozon |
Membership
Every start of the semester, we open up our organization to students from all over the University of the Philippines Diliman to give them the chance to become a member of UP Cineastes’ Studio. Though we are an organization based in the College of Mass Communication, we do not limit our membership to just students of media. We do invite students from different colleges to seize the opportunity to expand their interest in film and filmmaking as well as develop fellowship among fellow film enthusiasts.
Activities
CINEASTES PRESENTS
It is our flagship screening project which aims to bring films from various film festivals such as Cinemalaya, Cinema One Originals, CineFilipino closer to the student and academic community. Through pairing the film screening with an open forum with the cast and crew, Cineastes Presents also serves to encourage appreciation for independent films and filmmakers.
CINEASTES' MONTH
In celebration of another year of filmmaking and advocacy – U.P. Cineastes’ Studio annually commemorates its foundation with a month-long celebration. Established in September 24, 1984, Cineastes continues its tradition of holding events which are not just enjoyed by the student and film community, but are also designed to promote knowledge and interest in films.
D'ORIGINAL JOLOGS QUIZ SHOW
An anticipated University event on its own, D’ Original Jologs Quiz Show plays tribute to Philippine pop culture. Awards and prizes await the teams who will triumph in a quiz show which covers local films, music, television shows, celebrities, and other popular media. Previously open only to UP Diliman students, participation in the quiz show was opened to the general public in recent years.
FILM CONFERENCE
Our annual film conference offers insights on current trends in Philippine Cinema from some of the very filmmakers who contribute to it. Free of charge and open to the public, this conference seeks to hold substantial discourse about the various areas of concern within Philippine cinema today.
FILM LITERACY WORKSHOPS
With our advocacy to further foster film education and camaraderie, U.P. Cineastes’ Studio regularly conducts workshops in various public and private high schools, and various communities. Through these workshops, student-participants enjoy lectures on filmmaking and hands-on activities based on a curriculum reviewed by the organization yearly. The students get to produce their own one-minute films at the end of the workshop.
FILM PRODUCTION EXPOSURE
As a family of filmmakers and film enthusiasts, we help each other make their dreams, films, and dream films come true. Through our collaborative work in our various student film productions, members gain hands-on-experience in filmmaking.
GRAND FILM ORGY
A well-loved tradition and the signature activity of the organization, “film orgies” gather members and film enthusiasts in a film viewing and critiquing session in an open venue to encourage critical discussion among participants. This event fosters camaraderie among students and filmmakers, bridging the gap between films and insight.
HAUTE AUTEUR
Conceptualized in 2009, Haute Auteur is a silent video competition hosted by the organization. P Cineastes' Studio invites everyone interested in films and filmmaking. The collection of videos will have a screening in a public venue wherein audiences from all walks of life will share a unique film viewing experience. To top it all off, each of the finalist’s films will be scored live by musicians during the awards night. As such, Haute Auteur continuously challenges budding filmmakers to go beyond and see how far sheer visuals can take them. As of A.Y. 2016-2017, Haute Auteur is being reevaluated in order to better cater to the needs of the film community.
Alumni
U.P. Cineastes' Studio is proud to be home to a large roster of members and alumni who continue to make ripples within the film and media industry. Our members and alumni across generations have been recognized by – and/or have been a part of – the following bodies: UP Film Institute, Gawad Urian, FAMAS, Star Cinema, Cinemalaya, Cinema One Originals, QCinema, CineFilipino, Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, Berlin International Film Festival, among many others.
Organization Reels
A collection of UPFI Production Theses and outstanding works of its resident members in each year, the Org Reel gives everyone a glimpse of how the UP Cineastes' Studio has mastered their craft through continuous involvement in activities that further not only their technical competencies in student filmmaking, but in also creating, visualizing and framing the most compelling stories.
UP Cineastes’ Studio 2007 Reel
UP Cineastes’ Studio 2008 Reel
UP Cineastes’ Studio 2009 Reel
UP Cineastes’ Studio 2010 Reel
UP Cineastes’ Studio 2011 Reel
UP Cineastes’ Studio 2012 Reel
UP Cineastes’ Studio 2013 Reel
UP Cineastes’ Studio 2014 Reel
UP Cineastes’ Studio 2015 Reel
UP Cineastes’ Studio 2016 Reel
UP Cineastes’ Studio 2016 Reel
UP Cineastes’ Studio 2017 Reel
Contact Us
Email Address: upcineastes@gmail.com
UP Cineastes’ Studio Facebook Page
UP Cineastes’ Studio Twitter Page
UP Cineastes’ Studio on Vimeo