SHILLONG : Khasi filmmaker Pradip Kurbah has been selected as a member of the Main Competition Jury for the 22nd Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, to be held in Manila from August 6 to 18.
Kurbah shared the news on his social media handle, saying he was “truly honored” to be part of the international jury. He said he looked forward to watching the competing films, meeting fellow filmmakers and learning from the many stories and voices of Philippine cinema.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to watch these films, meet fellow filmmakers, and learn from the many stories and voices of Philippine cinema,” Kurbah wrote. He also thanked Cinemalaya and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) for inviting him to be part of this year’s festival.
The Main Competition Jury will be led by Filipino filmmaker Sari Lluch Dalena. Other members include independent curator and cultural critic Marian Pastor Roces, Italian producer Lorenzo ‘Lello’ Carvelli, filmmaker-cinematographer Dan Villegas, and Kurbah.
The jury will evaluate nine full-length films competing for the festival’s Balanghai Trophy, one of the top honours presented during the annual event. The festival will also feature 10 short films in competition.
Organised by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Cinemalaya Foundation, Inc., with support from the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), Cinemalaya is regarded as one of Southeast Asia’s leading platforms for independent cinema.
Kurbah is known for directing Khasi-language films that have been screened at several international film festivals. His works, including Ha Lyngkha Bneng, have earned recognition at platforms such as the Moscow International Film Festival, the Busan International Film Festival, and India’s National Film Awards, bringing wider attention to filmmaking from Meghalaya and the Northeast.
