For the past two decades, the Cinemalaya has been the trailblazing film festival that has championed Philippine independent cinema. But it hasn't always been smooth sailing for this beloved film festival with its share of challenges, controversies, and notorious washouts. This year is no exception as Cinemalaya was almost on the brink of "capsizing" as Festival Director Chris Millado put it. But it has regained stability and righted itself buoyed by the collective efforts of the Cinemalaya Foundation, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Film Development Council of the Philippines, and the Shangri-La Plaza Mall. Now, on its 21st edition, Cinemalaya will set sail once again, albeit a couple of months later than usual, from October 3 to 12, 2025 at its new home, The Red Carpet Cinemas at Shangri-La Plaza.
Having sailed through turbulent seas, blustering winds, and tempestuous storms, Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival adopts the theme Cinemalaya 21: Layag sa Alon, Hangin, at Unos for this edition. As always, 10 full-length (from 190 entries) and 10 short films (from 336 submissions) will be in competition hoping to win a Balanghai trophy or two... or even more.
Listed below are the finalists of the Short Film Category.
Ascension from the Office Cubicle
Director: Hannah Silvestre
Cast: Ginger Nolasco, Dads Valencia
Thelma, an exploited call center agent, grows increasingly enamored by the late night host of the local lottery draw.
Figat
Director: Handiong Kapuno
Cast: Aeoli Siagan, Tiffany Pagigian;
While the world is lost in screens, a young Kalinga girl - untouched by the pull of technology - brings a handmade instrument to class, carrying the voice of her ancestors and inspiring a quiet yet powerful return to cultural pride.
Hasang
Director: Daniel de la Cruz
Cast: Igan James Nualda
One summer, a young boy witnesses his grandmother slowly transforming into a tilapia.
I'm Best Left Inside My Head
Director: Elian Idioma
Cast: Elian Idioma, Lau Cortes, Aj Prudenciado, Glemuel Rigo, Romnic
Calosor, Andrea Idioma;
Alec Dominguez, a 20 something year old multi talented, multi-awarded-golden-boy- adopted by-the–owners–of–gay-philantrophists has a reunion with his old buddies from his original home, The Dominguez Orphanage.
Kay Basta Angkarabo Yay Bagay Ibat Ha Langit
Director: Marie Estela Paiso
Cast: Leonardo Cuaresma, Joel Elejorde, Luis Fontilla, Ranel Madela, Rea Jane Realizo, Noraiza Alog, Moises Dulatre, Sylvia Reyes, Maria Estela Paiso
A young girl turns into a fish and recounts the territorial aggression being experienced by the fisherfolk in her hometown Zambales.
Kung Tugnaw ang Kaidalman Sang Lawod
Director: Seth Andrew Blanca
Cast: Ryan Galleca, Lheo Fernando Fonseca, Anthony Ken Bucasas, Seth Andrew Blanca, Ma. Erica Seidel, Eddie Odicta Jr., Giovani Borja, Elester Saquilabon, Winston Farinas
In his desperation to send money to his girlfriend, a debt-stricken seafarer takes his superior’s help, only to sense an unknown presence tightening its hold on him.
The Next 24 Hours
Director: Carl Joseph Papa
Cast: Christela Marquez
After a sexual assault, a young woman navigates a cold and bureaucratic system over the course of 24 hours, fighting to reclaim her safety and sanity while battling the manipulations of her assailant.
Please Keep This Copy
Director: Miguel Lorenzo Peralta
Cast: Class of M2017, Teachers of M2017
Across a white void, old pages come to life and speak. A cacophony of archival voices of rebellious youth in a private all-boys Catholic high school during a moment of political turmoil breaks through, seeking liberation as lines break out of formation and colored ink spills out of the pages.
Radikals
Director: Arvin Belarmino
Cast: Elora Españo, Timothy Castillo, Ross Pesigan
A young rookie from a bizarre chicken-dance group faces a heckler after being the worst dancer at a performance -- leading him to a series of strange events that reveal what the group does to their weakest link.
Water Sports
Director: Whammy Alcazaren
Cast: Elijah Canlas, Renz Javier, Bon Lentejas, Ricky Davao
Two sad boys harness the power of their love in an attempt to survive a world devastated by climate change.
Down below are the finalists of the Full-Length Feature category.
Bloom Where You are Planted
Director: Nonilon Abao
Three land rights activists contend with their volatile notions of home amid terror and red-tagging in Cagayan Valley.
Child No. 82
Director: Tim Rone Villanueva
Cast: JM Ibarra, Rochelle Pangilinan-Solinap, Vhong Navarro, Irma Adlawan, Inah Evans, Zairene Fernandez, Dexter Doria, Kai Montinola
At a wake, a persevering high school student must prove that he is the 82nd child of the Philippines’ biggest action-fantasy movie star in the hopes of seeing his late father one last time.
Cinemartyrs
Director: Sari Dalena
Cast: Nour Hooshmand, Paul Cedric Juan, Raquel Villavicencio, Angel Aquino, Lav Diaz, Kidlat Tahimik, Ligaya Amilbangsa, Soliman Cruz, Bong Cabrera, Laila Ulao, Giancarlo Abrahan, Iana Bernardez, Nor Domingo, Danny Palisa, Andre Miguel, Victor Medina, Yian Gabriel, Kobe Sanchez, Shane Bernabe, Roven Alejandro, Nelson Dino, Rob Rownd, Dax Alejandro, Air Salazar, Dexter Macaraeg, Emmanuel Dela Cruz, Rolando Inocencio
Recreating forgotten massacres from Philippine history, a young filmmaker begins shooting at a site where 1,000 men, women, and children were slaughtered. But the angry spirits are awakened and the lives of her team and the local villagers are put in peril.
Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan
Director: Dustin Celestino
Cast: Dolly de Leon, Jojit Lorenzo, Zanjoe Marudo, Mylene Dizon
Four Filipinos confront the slow erasure of memory and truth in a country devoured by disinformation.
Open Endings
Directors: Nigel Santos, Keavy Vicente
Cast: Janella Salvador, Klea Pineda, Leanne Mamonong, Jasmine Curtis-Smith
Four queer women in their 30s who are exes-turned-best-friends navigate adulthood, love, friendship, chosen families, and everything in between.
Padamlágan
Director: Jenn Romano
Cast: Ely Buendia, Esteban Mara, Sue Prado, Floyd Tena, Mildren Anne Estela, Frank Peñones
Five days before the proclamation of Martial Law, the Colgante Bridge collapsed in Naga, forcing a father into a desperate search for his missing son.
Paglilitis
Directors: Cheska Marfori, Raymund Barcelon
Cast: Rissey Reyes-Robinson, Eula Valdez, Leo Martinez, Jackie Lou Blanco, Sid Lucero, Bombi Plata, Rolando Inocencio, Cherry Malvar, Barbara Miguel
Years after experiencing sexual harassment at her workplace, a former executive assistant is persuaded by a passionate lawyer to file a case against her rich and highly respected boss.
Raging
Director: Ryan Machado
Cast: Elijah Canlas, Ron Angeles, Reynald Raisel Santos, Glenn Sevilla Mas
A young man's quest for truth and justice interwines with a plane crash mystery, uncovering a sinister plot that propels his desire to be heard but also threatens his community.
Republika ng Pipolipinas
Director: Renei Dimla
Cast: Geraldine Villamil, Alessandra de Rossi, Kakki Teodoro, Natalie Maligalig, JM Salvado, Bon Lentejas, Lian Silverio, Shun Mark Gomez, Mitzi Comia, Yian Gabriel, Brylle Parzuelo, Sigrid Polon, Sisa Bernardo, Antonio Vasquez, Xiao Chua, Chad Kinis
When the local government threatens to evict her from her own land, a farmer renounces her Filipino citizenship and builds her own micronation.
Warla
Director: Kevin Alambra
Cast: Jervi Wrightson, Lance Reblando, Serena Magiliw, Valeria Ortega, Jacky Woo, Dimples Romana
Kitkat, a 19-year-old transgender woman, finds the family she’s been longing for in a gang of sisters who kidnap foreign men to fund their gender-affirming surgeries, until their crimes force her to question the true cost of belonging.
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| Full-Length Filmmakers at the Cinemalaya Press Conference |
Cinemalaya Film Institute (CFI) President Laurice Guillen also announced the formation of the Cinemalaya Club, an avenue for the audience to give helpful feedback that can assist in the growth of the festival as it sails further.
Running concurrently is the 37th Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video, the longest-running independent film competition of its kind in Southeast Asia. Films compete in categories such as Short Feature/Narrative, Experimental, Documentary, and Animation.
While the Red Carpet Cinemas at the Shangri-La Plaza serve as Cinemalaya 21's main hub, there will be screenings as well at Ayala Malls and at Gateway Cinemas expanding the reach of the festival even as the CCP Main Building continues its years long main rehabilitation.
For more information, visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) and the Cinemalaya website (www.cinemalaya.org). Follow the official CCP and Cinemalaya Facebook pages and other social media accounts on X, Instagram, and TikTok.
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