A new breed of Philippine film makers is using the country’s social ills as inspiration, transforming real-life tales of corruption, violence and abuse into award-winning movies internationally. Filipino indie directors have become a staple on the world’s film festival circuits, helping ignite a new golden age in the local industry. For Pepe Diokno (left), indie films are a vehicle to promote change in a country where corruption and poverty is rife.

Written by Bonifacio Ilagan, Sigwa is the story of six young lives caught in the tempest of the First Quarter Storm during the 1970s.

This year’s much awaited Cinemalaya Film Festival runs on weekdays beginning July 20 Tuesday until July 30 Friday, boasting 14 new features and 10 shorts competing in 3 different sections.