The short documentary “Between The Lines,” directed by Elvin Jay Macanlalay, has garnered acclaim by winning the prestigious Best MegaCity-ShortDocs Award at the MegaCities-ShortDocs Festival held in Paris on May 23, 2024. Following this achievement, the film was screened during the 9th Semaine du Cinéma Positif Week at the Festival de Cannes 2024, which took place from May 22 to 25, 2024.
“Between The Lines” delves into the transformative impact of a community library initiative in Bagong Silang, Caloocan. In a digital era dominated by social media and individualism, the documentary highlights the crucial role of community libraries in empowering children to engage with societal issues through relatable stories. It aims to foster empathy and critical thinking among young community members, bridging personal experiences with broader social contexts.
The featured community library gained significant recognition last year, appearing on major TV stations such as CNN, TV5 Frontline Tonight, ABS-CBN’s Bayan Mo Ipatrol Mo, Tao Po A2Z, Net25 Responde Mata Ng Mamamayan, and One PH Balita. It was also prominently covered by online news outlets, including Philippines Star and Manila Bulletin, as well as on Teleradyo 630.
Elvin Jay Macanlalay, a distinguished Queer Artist, brings a wealth of artistic expertise to “Between The Lines,” has showcased his works at esteemed venues, such as Pineapple Lab, Gravity Art Space, Ayala Museum, and NCCA Gallery. He is recognized for his previous achievements, including the Ani ng Dangal Award for Cinema from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts for his short documentary “Di niyo ba naririnig?”
Photo: Elvin Jay Macanlalay
For Elvin, “Between The Lines” signifies a paradigm shift. It is important to see the library as a form of resistance because activism carries a detrimental and divisive stigma in the Philippines. From this perspective, the filmmaker hopes to present dissent as more effective when done collectively, without the need for harm or danger to those participating and who want to get involved and take action.
This does not only show a local initiative but also stands as a testament to collective resilience amidst educational challenges in the Philippines. The documentary demonstrated how nurturing the initiative can still be a love for reading among children, given the appropriate space. It highlights that the challenge lies not in children’s reluctance to read but rather in the lack of opportunity or capacity. Establishing such a space will also lay the groundwork for fostering empathy among them. Its impact has inspired replication of similar projects in cities including Cebu, Iloilo, Taytay, and Bacolod, emphasizing the documentary’s advocacy for empathy and community engagement.
The community library aims to render itself obsolete, challenging the incompetence of those who are benefiting from the deliberate prevention of literacy in the country’s educational system. Ultimately, we demand accountability from those responsible for the library’s existence— read between the lines.
Photo: Elvin Jay Macanlalay
MegaCities-ShortDocs is a Citizen short documentary-films Festival highlighting initiatives and/or sharing unacceptable situations seeking to bring effective solutions to Megacities’ challenges in order to improve the life of citizens.
Semaine du Cinéma Positif Week is an annual event during the Cannes International Film Festival. It aims to engage audiences, provoke reactions, and encourage collective action for a better world. Semaine du Cinéma Positif Week provides a platform for impactful cinema and encourages filmmakers to create works that inspire societal improvement.
After his successful premiere in Europe, Elvin is preparing for his first producing stint as a documentary editor, an Experimental Narrative short film directed by Anjella Cruz set to start shooting in the 4th quarter of the year.
