Star Powerhouse

  Seven films from the 21st edition of Cinemalaya have earned a total of 29 nominations at the Gawad Urian Awards, recognizing the filmmakers, artists, and creatives behind some of the festival’s most compelling works. The nominations span major categories from Best Film and Best Director to acting, screenplay, cinematography, editing, music and sound, reaffirming the strength of the country’s indie filmmaking scene. The nominated films are Bloom Where You Are Planted , Cinemartyrs , Republika ng Pipolipinas , Paglilitis , Raging , Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan , and Child No. 82: Anak ni Boy Kana . All seven were part of the full-length category of Cinemalaya 21 (2025). Leading the nominations is Cinemartyrs by Sari Dalena, with eight nods, including Best Film for Kino Arts, Best Director for Sari Dalena, Best Screenplay for Sari Dalena and Keith Sicat, Best Actress for Nour Hooshmand, Best Production Design for Toym Imao, Best Cinematography for Neil Daza and Kiri Da...

  Filipino sociopolitical thriller “Silenced Nights” will next vie for awards in the Bangkok International Film Festival from September 15 to 27, following its historic selection as the first Filipino title in the Toronto International Film Festival’s juried Platform program. Executive producer Atty. Joji Villanueva Alonso confirmed the film’s upcoming selection in the Bangkok filmfest main competition, where it will contend for a $15,000 USD cash prize. Alonso also shared that the project is locked in for two additional European festival stops later this year. Written by Troy Espiritu and directed by Lawrence Fajardo, “Silenced Nights” tells the story of an ordinary gadget repairman (Nico Antonio) living in a Manila slum. His life turns upside down after witnessing police officers commit an extrajudicial killing of a teenager during anti-drug operations. Driven by conscience, he decides to help the victim's grieving mother fight for the truth. Nico Antonio with Dylan Ray Talon in ...

  Audiences in Hong Kong will get the chance to watch Richard Soriano Legaspi’s documentary “Ang Walang Kapagurang Paglalakbay ng Pulang Maleta” (The Untiring Journey of the Red Suitcase) as part of the Migrant Workers Film Festival 2026. Running from September 11 to 13, the festival brings community-focused cinema to several venues, namely the Chinese University of Hong Kong in Sha Tin, New Territories; KUC Space in Jordan Road, Jordan; and Bayanihan Centre in Victoria Road, Kennedy Town, Hong Kong Island. Set against the backdrop of Biella, a quiet province in northern Italy’s Piemonte region known for its wool industry, the documentary captures how a community of migrant workers transformed a foreign town into a home. As local textile mills faced factory closures and economic shifts, Filipino families continued to weave their own vibrant culture into the fabric of daily Italian life. The narrative traces back to Loreta Mercado, who arrived in Biella in 1978 carrying little mor...

  Misamis Occidental turns into a vibrant hub for independent cinema as the 6th Oroquieta Film Festival showcases 28 selected works from across the Visayas and Mindanao from October 12 to 15. Among the entries chosen for the Lumayagan Shorts Competition is “Those Little Things,” a sci-fi short film hailing from Negros Occidental. Produced under Kwentista Produksyon, the short film transports viewers to the year 2222 in a cyberpunk version of Bacolod. The plot follows a teenager (Ynez Arceo) navigating a seemingly routine day with her father (Bon Cerbo), completely unaware that a surprise awaits her. Beneath its futuristic exterior, the film balances speculative technology with deeply human warmth, exploring the quiet bonds between parent and child against a high-tech backdrop. John Arceo plays different characters as a supporting actor. Co-directors and co-producers Poli Gonzales, who also supervised the visual effects team, and Massah Gonzales-Gamboa, who also wrote the screenplay...

Film enthusiasts in Manila are set for a cinematic celebration as the Italian Film Festival 2026 returns to the city from June 26 to July 1, 2026 , bringing six acclaimed contemporary Italian films to the big screen at Shangri-La Red Carpet Cinema in Mandaluyong City . Organized by the Embassy of Italy in Manila in partnership with Elephant Pictures, Cineforum Robert Bresson, the Philippine-Italian Association, and Shangri-La Plaza’s Red Carpet Cinemas, the festival aims to showcase the diversity of contemporary Italian cinema while strengthening cultural ties between Italy and the Philippines. A major highlight of the Italian Film Festival Manila 2026 is its lineup of recent films from some of Italy’s notable filmmakers, including Academy Award-winning director Paolo Sorrentino , known for The Great Beauty and Youth , and acclaimed filmmaker Paolo Genovese , director of Perfect Strangers . The festival opens with La Grazia (The Pardon) by Paolo Sorrentino, a political drama cente...

Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership with the Freedom Flame Award The Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership has been recognized as one of the recipients of the 2026 Freedom Flame Awards, highlighting its continued efforts to promote good governance, ethical leadership, and meaningful youth participation in Philippine public life. The recognition was given by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Philippines (FNF) during its 40th anniversary celebration and the 15th year of the Freedom Flame Awards, held under the theme “Kalayaan Noon, Ngayon at Bukas – 40 Years of Freedom in Action.” The ceremony gathered advocates, policymakers, leaders, and artists at Decagon Events Place in Pasig City. Former Nagcarlan, Laguna Vice Mayor Amie Hernandez and fellow Kaya Natin! core member Marian Pastor Roces accepted the award on behalf of the movement. FNF recognized Kaya Natin! for inspiring future leaders to lead with integrity, serve with...

 Regional cinema continues to gain recognition as filmmakers from Negros Occidental bring compelling local stories to audiences beyond their home communities. At the upcoming 6th Oroquieta Film Festival , happening from October 12 to 15 in Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental, 28 independent films from across Visayas and Mindanao will be showcased, including three notable Negrense entries in the Lumayagan Shorts Competition : Manami Guid Man Mag **** sa Mansion , Sa Duta sang Kabuhi (In the Soil of Life), and Those Little Things . Co-directed by Seb Valdez and Trini Garcia, Manami Guid Man Mag **** sa Mansion previously competed in the Sagaynon Shorts Competition at the 7th Margaha Film Festival in Sagay City, where it earned awards for Best Production Design and Best Original Song. Meanwhile, Steve Villasor’s Sa Duta sang Kabuhi presents a timely look at the environmental and social challenges affecting Negros, widely known as the “sugar bowl of the Philippines.” Produced by 23 T...

  The journey of an actor is often defined by the moments they choose to step completely outside their comfort zone. For Filipina actress Zar Donato, that leap has not only taken her across geographical borders but has also placed her at the forefront of a new chapter in her professional life. From her early days in local independent cinema to her current strides on the international stage, Donato is establishing herself as a remarkable talent to watch. Donato was recently selected one of the 20 finalists for The Master Series: Film Development Council of the Philippines’ Acting Workshop for Filipino Talents 2026. The program offers an opportunity for growth, placing her under the mentorship of acclaimed directors Jose Javier Reyes, Laurice Guillen, and Joel Lamangan. For Donato, a film graduate from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, this training marks a refining of her craft. It is a transition from the raw talent first discovered in the 2018 QCinema entry “Billie and Emma” t...

For Serena Magiliw, the camera and the stage are both platforms for performance and battlegrounds for visibility. The Manila-based independent actor, director, and cultural worker recently completed the highly competitive program The Master Series: Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Acting Workshop for Filipino Talents 2026.  While the selection marks a significant milestone in her career, it also underscores Magiliw’s evolution into a multidisciplinary force disrupting traditional power structures through raw, queer, and trans-centered storytelling. Her artistic foundation is deeply rooted in academic and cultural exploration. She studied Filipinology at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and has blended transmedia narrative techniques with institutional critique. Magiliw’s portfolio features critical performance research, including her piece “Rampa” for the Asian Performing Arts Camp 2021 and a directorial stint for the Tokyo Festival Farm 2022 Farm-La...

Producer, production manager, film festival coordinator, and educator Kristin Bactad-Jor recently shared her industry experience with University of the East-Caloocan Visual Communication senior students during a talk at the Chua King Ha Gallery. Drawing from nearly two decades of practice, Bactad-Jor shared her knowledge and tips on producing films, production management, and the complexities of film festival operations. Since joining Red Room Media Productions in 2006, Bactad-Jor has established herself as an integral part of several film productions. Her career is defined by a commitment to advocacy-driven storytelling, spanning short films, documentaries, and high-impact video projects. Bactad-Jor has worked on numerous projects, including collaborations with institutions such as the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, GMA News TV, Techtales Asia-Pacific, and the Bacolod City Government Center. She has served as line producer and production manager for award-winning films ...

Grab’s wide-ranging programs, from financial aid to wellness and family support, transform the livelihoods  of partners like Ronni and Mary Joy; and fuel shared prosperity across communities. Now in its second year, “Itatawid, Ihahatid” continues to spotlight the often-overlooked dedication of Grab’s driver- and delivery-partners — everyday heroes who go the extra mile not just for passengers and customers, but for the families who rely on them. This year’s campaign features two viral short films inspired by real stories—those of a senior GrabCar driver and a determined female GrabFood cyclist. More than just testimonials of grit, these stories reveal a shared reality among drivers and riders: behind every booking is a mission, one that transforms individual journeys into opportunities for entire families. In the heat of a Manila afternoon, 63-year-old Ronald “Ronni” Petterson grips the steering wheel of his GrabCar with precision. He is simply a dedicated transport professional ...