Star Powerhouse

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...

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...

  In honor of one of the most important and influential filmmakers in Philippine cinema, the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival will close its 21st edition with Mike De Leon’s  Kakabakaba Ka Ba?  at the Shangri-La Plaza Red Carpet Cinemas 1 & Premiere Theater on October 11, 8:00 PM. Directed and written by De Leon himself, alongside Clodualdo Del Mundo Jr. and Raquel Villavicencio,  Kakabakaba Ka Ba?  is a 1980 satirical musical-comedy about four Filipinos who fall victim to a contraband-planting scheme as they fly back to the country, and are then caught in the middle of a crime syndicate plotting on using materials from the Catholic church to control the nation. The film features a star-studded cast with the likes of Christopher De Leon, often referred to as the ‘King of Philippine Drama’, Charo Santos-Concio, Jay Ilagan, and Sando Andolong, who play the four main characters of the film. Mike De Leon’s background of being born into a post-war ...

The 21st edition of the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival brings with it not just a fresh slate of bold, boundary-pushing Filipino films, but also a broader cinematic footprint.  To open more doors to Cinemalaya’s growing community of storytellers and cinephiles, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and Cinemalaya Foundation Inc. continue to nurture its two-decades-old partnership with Ayala Malls Cinemas as their steadfast partner venue, while welcoming the Gateway Cineplex 18 to its list of Cinemalaya’s official partner venues. Across the metro, Ayala Malls Cinemas integrate the Cinemalaya experience into the everyday rhythms of mall culture from Circuit, Makati to U.P. Town Center in Quezon City, and beyond. As in years past, Cinemalaya continues to thrive in these accessible, high-traffic locations with its comfortable theaters and reliable screening facilities.  Meanwhile, at Gateway Cineplex 18, nestled within the bustling Araneta City in Cubao, the...

  The Elysian Field , a NETPAC Award-winning film by Indian filmmaker Pradip Kurbah, makes its Philippine debut at the 21st edition of the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival this October 3, 2025, at the Red Carpet Cinemas of Shangri-La Plaza.  The film follows the six remaining residents of a secluded Meghalaya village as they cope with grief and loneliness in the face of urban migration.  Set against the tranquil landscapes of futuristic 2047 in the East Khasi hills, The Elysian Field is a slice-of-life film following the journey of Livingstone and his fellow villagers as they bond over their shared experiences of love and longing, finding solace in each other’s company. Weaving together multiple stories in a grand tapestry of human experience, the film narrates how Livingstone and the villagers stand as beacons of resilience, offering hope against a backdrop of loss and solitude.  Carrying the memory of his late wife Belinda, Livingstone boards a vinta...