Sorok Uni Foundation has officially opened registration for the 9th Sorok Short Film Festival (SSFF). This announcement comes shortly after the Foundation pledged to expand its mission to “emancipate forgotten neighbors in the Philippines from social stigma and the lowest level of poverty through empowerment and building sustainable communities” by embracing another social cause: rising for Online Sexually Exploited Children (OSEC) through its newly developed RISE for OSEC Program.
Over the years, the SSFF has established its identity as an advocacy film festival, positioning itself as “a competition for amateur and professional filmmakers and a channel of hope for others,” coining the hashtag #ArtWithAHeart. True to this mission, previous SSFF installations have proven the pivotal role of films in shedding light on pressing social issues and encouraging social action. For this reason, the Foundation has dedicated the 9th installment of SSFF to OSEC survivors, with the theme: “Sigwa ng Musmos: Raising Awareness on Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC).” Through this initiative, the Foundation aims to spark conversations about OSEC, which has thrived in a “hush-hush” culture.
The involvement of children in OSEC makes it a highly sensitive issue that requires a careful approach, with the best interests of OSEC survivors in mind. With this in mind, the Foundation challenges filmmakers to conduct responsible research and deepen their understanding of the issue. Film entries that can effectively depict the severity and complexity of OSEC creatively within 10-20 minutes, regardless of genre, will be awarded plaques and cash prizes of ₱100,000, ₱50,000, and ₱30,000 for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, respectively.
The Foundation would also like to emphasize that all film entries must achieve a general patronage (G) rating. Although advocacy films are meant to comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable, the SSFF aims to raise awareness among all audiences, regardless of age. Thus, if necessary, scenes that are not suitable for young viewers must be presented creatively and subtly.
The deadline for entry submissions is October 30, 2024, at 12 NN. Interested filmmakers can register through this link: https://www.tinyurl.com/9thSSFFRegistrationForm.
Other Event Details:
- Film Showings will take place on November 21-22, 2024, at Teatro Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila.
- Awards Night will be held on November 30, 2024, at SM City Manila Cinema 6.
For more details, visit the SSFF’s official social media pages:
- Facebook: facebook.com/sorokshortfilmfest
- Instagram: instagr.am/sorokshortfilmfest
- TikTok: tiktok.com/@sorokshortfilmfestival
- YouTube: youtube.com/@sorokshortfilmfestival
Or email the Sorok Short Film Festival at sorok.9thssff@gmail.com.
