The Film Development Council of the Philippines, in cooperation with SM Cinema, the largest cinema exhibitor chain in the country, brings you Sineng Pambansa National Film Festival 2013 – All-Masters Edition. The filmfest features twelve of the best and most prolific film directors in the country.

This year’s NFF will showcase fresh masterpieces from Philippine’s cinema greats: Mel Chionglo, Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes, Joel Lamangan, Elwood Perez, Gil Portes, Jose Javier Reyes, Maryo J. Delos Reyes, Chito Rono, Romeo Suzara and Celso Ad. Castillo.

Elwood Perez of Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit fame makes a comeback with Otso starring veteran actress Anita Linda which is a story of an ambidextrous, aging author who calls on his Muse to rid of his writer’s block while Gil M. Portes, director of the Gawad Urian-winning Mga Munting Tinig directs Ang Tag-araw ni Twinkle, an account of a drug addict who seeks rehabilitation and in the process re-connects with her dying father. Ang Tag-araw ni Twinkle stars actress Ellen Adarna and Dominic Roco.

Much awaited among the line-up is the familiar powerhouse tandem of Lore Reyes and Peque Gallaga who, for this festival, has Sonata to offer. Sonata, which stars dramatic artists Cherie Gil and Richard Gomez, tells the story of a worn-out artist who recovers her spirit through a relationship with a young boy. Gallaga and Reyes had worked on a few films in the past which includes Magic Temple and Batang X.

Jose Javier Reyes, known for his mainstream blockbusters such as Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo and Wedding Tayo, Wedding Hindi directs Ano Ang Kulay ng mga Nakalimutang Pangarap? which has Bobby Andrews, Angel Aquino, and Ryan Agoncillo in the cast. The movie traces the life of Teresa, who has dedicated sixty years of her life to the service of a middle class family at the expense of her own happiness and fulfilment. Now that the matriarch of the family has died, the children who were under her care have flown back from abroad to bury their mother and decide on the fate of their nanny.

Romy Suzara comes back with his NFF opus Tinik. Tinik tells the story of a middle-aged couturier who faces the many problems of being gay while, in the midst of all the dilemma, tries to hold on to his own dignity. Suzara rose to fame in the early seventies with movies like Tatlong Mukha ni Rosa Vilma and Carinosa, both starring veteran actress Vilma Santos.

Lauriana by Mel Chionglo centers on domestic drama about a Philippine Constabulary soldier’s mistress in the 1950s. The film tackles obsession, passionate love and abuse. Based on a true story, Chionglo describes the film as a psychological thriller. The film casts Bangs Garcia and Allen Dizon.

A couple of this year’s NFF’s films have strong political themes. Chito Rono’s film Badil’s story revolves around a small barrio’s corrupted voting system seen through the eyes of a young boy while Joel Lamangan’s Lihis is set in the 70s Martial Law era where two male members of a rebel organization, in the midst of their crusade, share an intimate relationship. Lihis stars Jake Cuenca and Joem Bascon with Isabelle Daza, Lovi Poe, and Ms. Gloria Diaz.

Veteran director Maryo J. Delos Reyes’ Bamboo Flowers completes the line-up and is a film that tackles the rousing beauty of the Bohol Island and the lives of the people in it. The film casts indie film siren Mylene Dizon with Max Collins, Neil Ryan Sese, and Ruru Madrid. Maryo J. Delos Reyes directed Magnifico which won the Crystal Bear Award in the Berlin International Film Festival.

Each of the director’s film is set in their respective hometowns: Maryo J. De los Reyes in Bohol, Peque Gallaga in Bacolod, and Mel Chionglo in Quezon, with undisclosed locations for Chito Roño and Jose Javier Reyes.

NFF will also feature a Masters’ Master Tribute to the late filmmaker Celso Ad Castillo with the screening of his last film Bahay ng Lagim and the documentary The Gospel According to Celso Kid. The festival, in honor of two other Philippine cinema legends Lino Brocka and Manuel Conde, will also screen the late directors’ films, namely the restored versions of Maynila: Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag and Genghis Khan, respectively.

Sineng Pambansa National Film Festival 2013 runs from September 11 to 17 in all SM Cinema branches nationwide. Screening schedules and branches can be viewed at www.smcinema.com. Like SM Cinema on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more updates!