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Just because it’s a cartoon, doesn’t mean it isn’t compelling.

Animation has become accepted as a serious art form, utilizing storytelling themes and ideas that would be hard to execute with real people. Here is a rundown of the animation films you can catch in the festival:

Animation 1! (Mature Content)

Kapitan Torpe
Dir. Antonio Jose H. Cadiz

Kapitan Torpe is the only full length animated film in the festival. It is also the code name of a reluctant superhero who fights crime and helps the oppressed. He is very unlike his alter ego, Manuel, a production assistant working under a dictatorial director whose only reason for not quitting his job is because he is in love with Mikki, the director’s assistant. As he is thrust deeper and deeper into the world of crime fighting, Miguel realizes that it is easier to be brave in the face of oppression than it is in the face of true love.

Animation 2! (Mature Content)

Ay! Apo
Dir. Justin Charles T. Tiongson

“Ay! Apo” brings to life the 1960s comic duo of Mang Nano and Bentot of Nukso ng Nukso fame, this time traversing the modern world, which means figuring out the latest gadgets. The film also involves a laptop and a witchdoctor. Hijinks ensue.

Chat Lover
Dir. Kenjie Fernandez Cuarto

“Chat Lover” is a love story that begins in real life and flourishes on line, proof that not everyone you hook up with virtually is crazy. Well, not that crazy.

I Am Dyslexia
Dir. Mercy Ty

The film is an autobiography of sorts, taking on the director’s learning difficulties and how she, with the help of her family and friends, has learned to overcome it, and how it is something that she has to deal with until today.

Infiltration
Dir. Jeremiah Joshua T. Lee

How does one infiltrate a highly protected urbanized zone? Watch this film and find out.

Kaligayahan
Dir. George Pette M. Aranas

The film is about the life of a gay man from birth onwards, chronicling the ups and downs of his sexuality and its effects on his family, friends, and himself. In the end, he must decide on what happiness means to him, and if it worth pursuing at all.

Laika Loves Bananas
Cristina Rose Chua

The film is basically about how bananas are the key to Laika’s success. The film is a project aimed at educating children on the benefit of eating—you guessed it—bananas.

Laogon
Dir. Sael B. Templado

“Laogon” means ‘enter’ in Bikol. It is also close to the Bikolano word for face, ‘lawgon.’ These two words intersect in the film, which is about finding oneself in life.

The Mystery of the 24th
Dir. Julian Carmelo M. Santiago

What starts out as your generic Christmas movie quickly unravels to one that isn’t as cut-and-dried. Marlowe is waiting for Santa on Christmas Eve but just when he thinks that Santa has come by for a visit, he realizes that there are some things he’s not sure he wants to know about.

Sabong
Dir. Carlo Roman Picaso

“Sabong” is an animated documentary about cockfighting in the Philippines, told in a little more than three minutes.

Smog
Dir. Jerome Alcordo

“Smog” is an environmental film about an old man who reminisces about a past where the sky was blue, the scenery was filled with green, and air was still free.

Square
Dir. Efren R. De Guzman, Jr

“Square” takes place in a rigid society and posits the question: in a place where everything must be followed to the letter, what happens when one deviates from the norm? Clue: It begins with a ‘C’ and ends with ‘haos.’

Sulundon (Hero)
Dir. Jerome Alcordo and Ionone Bangcas

Set in a slum in the Southern Philippines, “Sulundon” focuses on Mang Jun, a boxing referee who tries to raise his son Anot in a way that is fair and right. Unfortunately, Anot refuses to listen to his father, instead idolizing Gardo, a fighter who only looks out for number one. The film explores a father’s quest to see that his son grows on the path that is right, and not what is popular.

Wasteland
Dir. Ellen Ramos

“Wasteland” is a mood piece that follows a young boy’s trek to school, and ultimately, what he finds at the end of his journey.

When Alma Died
Dir. Richmond Wesley Ruiz Tan

An impending air raid forces Vincent and Alma to flee their homeland. Unfortunately, Murphy’s Law rears its ugly head and soon, Vincent finds himself injured and more importantly, alone.

Wings
Dir. Jed Francis R. Cruz

“Wings” is two point fourteen minutes of exploring man’s desire to take flight, via a particular girl’s requirement that if she’s going to achieve something, it should be on her own terms.

The Wish
Dir. Jessica Martinez

Emma wants to see a meteor shower, except the sky is too cloudy for her to see anything. Her parents hit on an ingenious way to make her feel better, proving that love can lead to all sorts of creativity.

Header image from Kaligayan.

                                                 

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