On the set of Ploning in Cuyo, Palawan, with Judy Ann Santos and Tony Mabesa

Actress Judy Ann Santos is starring in Ploning, Panoramanila’s maiden project, scheduled to release locally and internationally in April.

Shot entirely in Cuyo island in Palawan, Ploning is inspired by a popular Cuyonon folk song and presents the story of a Cuyonon woman’s promise and her struggles with hope and love told from the point of view of a young boy.

Panoramanila Pictures Co. has certainly chosen a good material for a maiden project, and perhaps it’s a sign of good things to come. Composed of young Filipino filmmakers from both independent and commercial cinema, Panoramanila aims to change the film industry by fusing independent cinema spirit with commercial filmmaking sensibilities.

“For this maiden project, Panoramanila intends to portray a more beautiful and scenic Philippines. It wants to veer away from the stereotype images of third-world poverty, sex and gambling trade, and violence proliferating from the current crop of Filipino films recognized in international film festivals,” says executive creative producer Jourdan Sebastian.

The new company is committed in producing feature films that are values laden, culturally rich, well acted, fully marketed, and business driven.

The dip in mainstream film productions in the late nineties to the present has led to the renaissance of independently produced local films. Ready access to more affordable video and new media technologies has enabled more indie films in digital format to make it to international film festivals. However, Panoramanila observes that most of these films have no sound business plan and filmmakers often have to scavenge for funds for their next projects.

Panoramanila is set on changing this by developing an equity-sharing scheme among its cast and key production staff and raising funds through investors, who are mostly private individuals. When the film earns, the investors also reap profit based on the shares allotted to them.“For now, Ms. Santos and our key production staff are enjoying this kind of arrangement,” says Sebastian.

Shot with live sound and in the traditional 35mm film format, Ploning opens in cinemas on April 30.

For more information about the film, visit the official Ploning site.

For queries:
Oliver Oliveros
Senior Public Relations Officer/Consultant
Stages
+63 2 818 1111 loc. 225
+63 928 772 5254
stages_pr@i-manila.com.ph
http://oliverpublicist.blogspot.com