Star Powerhouse

  Cinemalaya 2026 Best Film “Mag-iina” (The Mothering) will be the closing feature of the 10th Ngilngig Asian Fantastic Film Festival. Running from October 24 to 28 at Cinematheque Centre Davao, Ngilngig returns with a curated lineup under the theme “Metamorphosis.” The five-day event gathers 50 short films and five regional feature premieres, celebrating genre stories rooted in myths, shifting identities, and regional perspectives across Asia. Directed by Giancarlo Abrahan and written by Guelan Varela-Luarca, “Mag-iina” explores grief, inherited trauma, and the complex bonds between women. The film centers on Anj (played by Janine Gutierrez), who returns to her family’s home as the 40th day of her estranged father’s passing approaches, a period when his spirit is believed to make its final departure. Instead of closure, Anj encounters an environment suspended in madness, where three generations of women confront a legacy of love that operates dangerously close to evil. The horro...

  The gripping independent feature “Ganggang,” an official entry to the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2026, will be screened at the Far Eastern University Main Auditorium on October 20. FEU students will get an opportunity to watch the film next Tuesday, from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM, as the FEU Department of Communication hosts a special screening of “Ganggang,” which will be followed by a talkback session with director JL Burgos. “Ganggang,” set against the lush yet troubled backdrop of rural Bulacan, weaves a narrative through the innocent eyes of three young boys: Mel, a newcomer from the city; Ilay, a child of desaparecidos ; and Tenten, the son of a farmer-activist. Brought together by their quest to find the ultimate fighting spider to take down Anton, the school bully, the boys form an unlikely alliance. Yet, as their search deepens, they find that their bond, and their lives, will face far greater challenges than a schoolyard rivalry. The film features stan...

  The film “Bloom Where You Are Planted” bagged four top honors at the 49th Gawad Urian awarding ceremony held last October 8 at the Yuchengco Auditorium of De La Salle University. Presented by the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino, the full-length feature took home Best Film, Best Documentary, Best Direction for Noni Abao, and Best Editing for Che Tagyamon. The victory builds upon the documentary’s earlier acclaim at the 21st Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, where it won Best Full-Length Film and Best Editing last year. “Bloom Where You Are Planted,” produced by Alex Poblete and Taripnong Cagayan Valley, chronicles the systemic oppression, displacement, red-tagging, and extrajudicial atrocities faced by land defenders and community organizers in the Cagayan Valley region. Rather than relying on sensationalism or manipulated sentimentality, Abao’s direction captures the lives of grassroots figures with a restrained, meditative cadence. The documentary follows the jour...

  Following its triumphant run at the 2026 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, the award-winning political drama “2 Valid IDs,” directed by Ma-an Asuncion-Dagñalan and written by Abet Pagdagdagan Raz, is taking its deeply human message beyond local shores for its international premiere at the 46th Hawai’i International Film Festival. Selected for the festival’s Panorama section and nominated for the NETPAC Award, “2 Valid IDs” brings the urgent realities of Filipino administrative inequality to a global audience.  “2 Valid IDs” centers on Sylvia, played by Marietta “Pokwang” Subong in a standout performance that earned her the Cinemalaya 2026 Best Actress award.  Sylvia is a poor Ilocana farmer whose world turns upside down when her husband, Ramon (Joey Marquez), is hospitalized with severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.  When a relative living overseas remits money to help transfer Ramon to a private facility, Sylvia faces an unexpected wall. Th...

Mapúa University School of Multimedia and Digital Arts (SoMDA) Dean David R. Corpuz is set to unveil his latest full-length feature, “Tayo Lang Ang Nakakaalam” ( Only Known to Us ), at the 22nd Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival. Directed by Corpuz and co-written with Iar Arondaing, the 110-minute drama delves into love, grief, and unresolved family tensions.  The story follows long-time partners Neil (Martin del Rosario) and Bong (Miguel Odron), whose lives center on their close relationship with Bong’s mother, Gloria (Yayo Aguila). When Bong is hospitalized with a severe illness, Neil is left balancing work demands with bedside caregiving while Gloria tries to remain strong for her son. The emotional strain heightens with the sudden arrival of Bong’s estranged father, Benjie (Epy Quizon), who returns aiming to reconcile. The film's supporting cast includes Madeleine Nicolas, Bodjie Pascua, Bong Cabrera, Adrian Lindayag, and Nour Hooshmand. Behind the scenes, the fea...

For its 22nd edition, the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival opens and closes with two internationally acclaimed independent films that reflect the complexity of Filipino experience: the opening film, Enjoy Your Stay , explores a mother's enduring love for her daughter, while the closing film, Filipiñana , follows a teenage girl whose job at a country club leads to unexpected discoveries. Opening Film  Directed by Dominik Locher and Honee Alipio and co-produced by Close Up Films and JBA Production, Enjoy Your Stay follows Luz, a Filipina who has spent years working as an undocumented cleaner in Switzerland. Living in the shadows alongside her friend Aileen and other Filipina migrant workers, she constantly faces the threat of being discovered and deported.  When she sees her ex-husband appear on a Filipino reality TV show with their six-year-old daughter, Luz’s life is shaken. In desperation to keep her child after years of working abroad, she promises on live te...

Eto na nga anarinig mo na ba ang latest? Nitong nakaraan lamang ay nakaroon na ng grand media conference ang Cinemalaya upang ipakilala kung sino-sino nga ba ang pasok sa Full Length Category at Short Film Category nito. Full Length Category 2 VALID IDs by Ma-an Asuncion-Dagñalan and Abet Pagdagdagan Raz A.ni.mál by Dustin Celestino GANGGANG by JL Burgos KAKA SA YAWAN by Alpha Habon HAND OF GOD by Mark Duane Angos MAG-IINA by Giancarlo Abrahan and Guelan Varelan-Luarca STATUS: REJECTED by Vahn Leinard Pascual TAYO LANG ANG NAKAKAALAM by David Corpuz TIRIK by May-i Guia Padilla Short Film Category Elenita Elena Elaine by Gabriela Serrano Honey, My Love, So Sweet by Jt Trinidad Hoy, Hoy, Ingat! by Norvin Delos Santos Kung Paano Kakalas by Joseph Vitali Para-paraan by Mae Chan Li Runo! by Lysa Catolico and Jazmine Pateña Silkscreen by Rey Anthony Villaverde Sorbetes by Jennissie Gilbuena The Keeper by Nolan Rae Fabular And Trnz The River Flows In Different Places by Lot-lot Hermosura Ma...

Filipino independent films took center stage once again as Cinemalaya films emerged as the big winners at this year’s Gawad Urian Awards, reaffirming the strength of the country’s indie filmmaking scene. Films produced by Cinemalaya’s 20th edition took home a total of 10 awards, including major citations like Best Picture.  The awards are as follows: Gawad Urian Para sa Pinakamahusay na Pelikula: Alipato at Muog Gawad Urian Para sa Pinakamahusay na Direksyon: Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay and Richard Jeroui Salvadico (Tumandok) Gawad Urian Para sa Pinakamahusay na Screenplay: Tumandok (Arden Rod Cortez and Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay) Gawad Urian Para sa Pinakamahusay na Aktres: Arisa Nakano (Kono Basho) Gawad Urian Para sa Pinakamahusay na Dokumentaryo: Alipato at Muog Gawad Urian Para sa Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktor: Felipe Ganancial (Tumandok) Gawad Urian Para sa Pinakamahusay na Sinematograpiya: Dan Villegas (Kono Basho) Gawad Urian Para sa Pinakamahusay na Editing: JL Burgos (Alipat...

Building on the momentum of the recently-concluded Cinemalaya 21: Layag sa Alon, Hangin, at Unos, the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Cinemalaya Foundation Inc. are raising the artistic bar high once again as they unveil the 10 new full-length finalists who will be competing in the country’s pioneering independent film festival in 2026. For its 22nd edition, Cinemalaya will continue to uphold its vision to develop and support the production of cinematic works of Filipino independent filmmakers that boldly articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity, with new narratives that embody the ever-evolving landscape of Filipino cinema. The 2026 finalists, culled from the 20 semi-finalists, are still undergoing training at the Cinemalaya Film Lab, a three-month-long film-laboratory mentorship program meant to prime the finalists in the different aspects of filmmaking such as scriptwriting, directing, cinematography, performance, e...

After accepting the Best Full-Length Film award at the Cinemalaya 2026 Awards Night , Noni Abao spoke to the media about the film's message and future plans. Abao said the film tells the story of farmers who continue to fight for their land and rights. He explained that these issues are still happening, which is why they wanted to share the story. He shared that the team plans to screen the film in communities instead of releasing it commercially. According to Abao, it is more important for the people whose lives inspired the film to see it first. When asked about lawmakers who attended the screening, Abao said they had not yet discussed possible support for the film. However, he welcomed efforts to strengthen film education in schools. Abao also explained why the team continued making the film despite the risks. He said they believed it was the right time to tell the story, especially as more people are speaking out about social issues. He revealed that he experienced threat...

“Child No. 82 (Anak ni Boy Kana)” made a double win at the #Cinemalaya2025 Awards Night, taking home both the Best Screenplay for Full-Length Film  and the Audience Choice Award! Fresh from winning Best Screenplay for Full-Length Film and the Audience Choice Award , the creators of Child No. 82 (Anak ni Boy Kana) shared the heart behind the film and what the recognition means to them. The filmmakers revealed that the screenplay was the result of a long writing process, carefully developed to tell a story that resonates with every child searching for someone who will truly understand and love them. In the end, they said, the film reminds audiences that the person they have been searching for may already exist within themselves. "What I thought was a love letter to my father turned out to be a love letter to my inner child—and to every child who is still searching for themselves," the director shared. The team also expressed gratitude that a deeply personal story was given th...

The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival not only recognizes talented Filipino independent filmmakers, but also distinguished individuals who take on the challenging task of selecting the films that will bring home the coveted Balanghai trophies. For its 21st year, the Cinemalaya Main Competition jury includes: actor and director Christopher de Leon, internationally-acclaimed film director, producer and screenwriter Pepe Diokno, film critic and journalist Mark Schilling, educator, script consultant, and writer Sophia Wellington, and television and film writer Michiko Yamamoto. Each juror brings a wealth of experience and insight into the realm of cinema, contributing to a comprehensive assessment of the films presented at the country’s biggest independent film festival.   Christopher Strauss de Leon, more popularly known as Boyet de Leon, is a Filipino actor, and director. Often referred to as the “King of Philippine Drama”, he gained stardom for his leading man rol...