Featuring writer-director Sigrid Bernardo and her journey starting as a struggling theater actress (madalas siyang ma-reject nun!), hangga’t sinubukan niya ang pagpepelikula kasama ang critically-acclaimed director na si Lav Diaz, mag-debut ang kanyang short films na “Babae”, “Little”, at ang pelikulang pinitch pa sa Paris, “Au Revoir Philip”!

After pitching the same story to various producers and film festivals for 8 years, nagawa rin niya ang kanyang first full-length film, “Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita” (2013: Best Picture, Best Ensemble at CineFilipino Film Festival; selected for Produire au Sud in France, Best Screenplay and Gender Award at Zinegoak LGBT Film Festival in Spain), followed by “Lorna” (2014: Audience Award at Yerba Buena Film Festival in San Francisco). At hindi pa doon nagtatapos! As if facing yet another challenge of not being able to follow the success of her full-length films is not enough, she broke her leg…na nagbunga sa blockbuster Kita-Kita (2017: Highest grossing indie film in the Philippines)! She also shares her tips on filmmaking in this video. Watch her shorts for FREE in the Pelikulove Blackbox and make your own!

Creative team:

Creative Producer: Ellen Ongkeko Marfil

Segment Producer: Aimee Bertulfo, Mica Flores

Editor: Jham Tejome

Jump to the section you want to watch:

00:06:20 – Dahil frustrated theater actress, nag-aral at naintindihan niya ang role ng isang director…at kung bakit ‘di siya kinukuha!

00:17:23 – “I treated everything as my workshop and invested on myself.” Kahit walang alam, sumabak sa pelikula ng world-acclaimed director na si Lav Diaz. Ito pala ang gusto niya.

00:29:08 – Finally made her first short films, “Babae”, “Little”, at nakapag-pitch pa sa Paris for “Au Revoir Phillip”!

00:47:45 After 8 years of pitching “Ang Huling Chacha ni Anita”, nagawa niya ang kanyang first full-length film with Teri Malvar and Angel Aquino…followed by “Lorna” with her idol actress Shamaine Buencamino and Direk Lav Diaz na walang kiyeme, even to act “au naturel”!

00:15:04 – Sa teatro, sinasabi ang “Break a leg” for good luck. After feeling like a loser – jobless and helpless – despite having two full-length films under her belt, Sigrid broke her leg and that was the road to the blockbuster “Kita-Kita”!

01:29:34 Ask Direk Sigrid (An FB Live Replay of her Q&A)

02:29:41 5 Tips on Making Short Films from Direk Sigrid Bernardo

02:31:14: Bonus video: Mag-asawa, ginaya ang Kita-Kita for their wedding anniversary video!

Best known for directing Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita (2013), Lorna (2014), Kita Kita (2017), and Mr. & Mrs. Cruz (2018). Watch Sigrid’s short films for FREE in Pelikulove Blackbox:

– BABAE (2005): Best Director at Cinemalaya Film Festival; Best Short Film at Festival Internationale di Cinema Gaylesbico e Queer Culture di Milano

– LITTLE (2009): selected to represent Philippines for One Country One Film Festival

– AU REVOIR PHILIP (2010): Gawad CCP awardee

– ANG PAGHIHINTAY SA BULONG (2012): Best Screenplay at Cinemalaya Film Festival

Why “Lakambini Series”?

“Lakan” means “chieftain” and so, “Lakambini” means “woman leader”. The meaning was only changed to “muse” during the American period.

This May we are reviving its true meaning. In commemoration of the 145th birthday of Gregoria de Jesus / Ka Oriang, who chose “Lakambini” as her alias in the Katipunan during the Philippine Revolution, we are launching the “Lakambini Series” which aims to celebrate the different “lakambini” in the field of arts as well as feature works that champion women’s perspective on various aspects of life.

Feeling inspired? Follow her tips on filmmaking and create your own short film even in your home, while on GCQ. Share your film or any artwork to our arts healing page, Covid Memoirs Project, and email us at [email protected]