38th CCP Gawad Alternatibo illuminates new stories with Pag-aninag

Championing the best of Filipino alternative storytelling, the CCP Gawad Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video returns this 2026 with Pag-aninag (Reflecting the Light), inviting audiences to discover stories that illuminate hope, memory, struggle, and the dreams that connect people and communities.

Established in 1987, CCP Gawad Alternatibo is considered the longest-running film competition and festival in the country and Southeast Asia, harvesting the best of Philippine films competing in various categories of Animation, Documentary, Experimental, and Narrative. 

Now in its 38th year, Gawad Alternatibo reaffirms its commitment to provide a platform for emerging and established Filipino filmmakers who dare to challenge conventions and tell stories that evoke critical reflection, cultural discourse, and social transformation.

Participating films for the Animation category are: AKO AY MAY LOBO by Siege Ledesma; ANO KA, ASO? by Marc Trisha Domingo; BANGKANG PAPEL by Rey Tamayo, Jr.; BANGUNGOT by Jam Lising; BUBBLES IN A BUBBLE by Ashley Love Yumul; DILAW by Gianna Soliman; FAROL by Franchisemae Castillo; LAYO RA’S TINAI by Klark Lynus Marquez; LIKE MOM by Kevin Charles Dai; ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY by Jam Lising; SA ILALIM NG IMPYERNO by Javier Luis Sison; SIGNAL PENDING by Lourchielle Ashley Hael; SILENT WALTZ by Matthew Villamor Mapua; SIMON AND THE HARP by Jan Dave Pruna; and WETSITALES: AGYU FROM AYUMAN by Jade Dandan Evangelista.

In the Documentary category, competing films are: GET READY WITH ME by Elvin Jay Macanlalay; HAGONOY (TO CRY OUT) by Giancarlo Santiago, Ayan Bautista, and Santiago Pantaleon; IBONG YABE (ARAW GABI) by Mark Jomil Reyes; IN TRANSIT by Kimi Adrian Ong; KARATIG-TUBIG by Kizabelle Lopez Aromin; LUBOG SA LA PAZ by James Magnaye; MANONG by Jhayzen Udtohan Parañal; RGB SA SISTEMANG ITIM AT PUTI by Jomarie Corro-Reyes; and SWIPE RIGHT AT 78 by Geomel Montalban.

Films in contention for the Experimental category are: ANG NANLALAMONG SIYUDAD by Lorence Lazano; ANGGATEGATEL by Lois Andrea Galapia; ANGONO’S FINEST DAYCARE by Mikyla Mae Alingasa; CEMENTO by Justine Borlagdan; DALAGATON by Rovic Lopez; END OF BEGINNING by John Dashiell Velasco; MONKEY by Aries Ferrer; MOOSAP (MEMORIES OF OLD SAPANGPALAY) by Edsel Gasmen; RECTO MANIA by Mario Cabus; TO THE ONES WE’VE LOVED FOREVER by Johnsep Mari Abode and Erin Mikaella Frias; WALANG BAKLA SA LANGIT by Vinh Marco; and WALANG MANINIWALA by Mira May Cedo.

In the Narrative Category, competing films include: BALAI DE MOÑO by Cyrus Joshua Bon; CITY’S LAUNDRY AND TAXES by Diana Galang; CODING SI PAPA by Michael Angelo Pogoy; DUE DATE NA NI JUDITH by Kieth Earl Rebaño; EMERGENCY by Alyssa Ashley Manugas; I THINK GOD IS A BACKEND PROGRAMMER by Sami Salazar; KAHEL by Garnet Morilla Llames; KWENTONG MULTO by Dexter Paul de Jesus and Drexler Jaramel; MULI NA KA, MERLIE by Shane Claudine David; PERSLAB by Ronnie Ramos; PUSANGGALA by Jamie Alyssa Imperio; Q.I.A by Ralph Allen Prodigalidad; SA’N ELMO: A MUSICAL SHORT FILM by Jerusjacob Velasquez Ariola; THE RED BANCA by Nena Jane Achacoso (Nena Jane); THE TENDER ONES by Irah Kyla Macalanda; TUYAW (ALISBONG) by Roland Chavez; WHEN IT RAINED MALUNGGAY LEAVES by Cedrick Valenzuela; and YEAR 2471 by Edsel Gasmen.

The 54 finalist films are grouped into nine curated screening anthologies, namely: Pagkamangha at Pag-unawa, Tahanan ay Kanlungan, Kartograpiya ng Sarili, Hamon ng Panahon, Mga Hibla ng Pagsubok, Mga Gunita ng Pagmamahal, Ligaw sa Siyudad, Lampas sa Abot-tanaw, and Musikal.

Additional six screening sets are dedicated to Gawad Specials, Children’s Section, and the Best of 37th Gawad Alternatibo in Animation, Documentary, Experimental, and Narrative categories, featuring additional films from the previous editions of Gawad Alternatibo.

The 38th CCP Gawad Alternatibo finalists and the special sets will be screened simultaneously with Cinemalaya 2026 from August 7 to 16 at the Red Carpet Cinema at the Shangri-La Plaza and Gateway Cineplex 18. The awarding ceremony is on August 13. All screenings are free and open to the public.

For more information, visit the website at www.culturalcenter.gov.ph and the Gawad Alternatibo’s website at https://gawadalt.com.

Stay updated on latest Cinemalaya and Gawad Alternatibo screenings in the official CCP, Cinemalaya and Gawad Alternatibo social media accounts on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube.