The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival has officially launched its 21st year, presenting 10 full-length films and 10 short features.
Photo: Cinemalaya 2025
With the theme “Layag sa Alon, Hangin, at Unos,” this year’s edition will celebrate diverse Filipino stories. The highly anticipated film festival will take place on October 3 to 12 at the Shangri-La Plaza cinemas.
Here are the 10 full-length finalists of Cinemalaya 2025:
Bloom Where You Are Planted by Noni Abao
Child No. 82 by Tim Rone Villanueva
Cinemartyrs by Sari Dalena
Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan by Dustin Celestino
Open Endings by Keavy Eunice Vicente and Nigel Santos
Padamlagan by Jenn Romano
Paglilitis by Raymund Barcelon and Cheska Marfori
Raging by Ryan Machado
Republika ng Pipolipinas by Renei Dimla
Warla by Kevin Alambra and Arah Badayos
Here are the 10 short films of Cinemalaya 2025:
- Ascension from the Office Cubicle Hannah Silvestre
- Figat by Handiong Kapuno
- Hasang by Daniel de la Cruz
- I’m Best Left Inside My Head by Elian Idioma
- Kay Basta Angkarabo Yay Bagay Ibat Ha Langit by Marie Estela Paiso
- Kung Tugnaw ang Kaidalman Sang Lawod by Seth Andrew Blanca
- Please Keep This Copy by Miguel Lorenzo Peralta
- Radikals by Arvin Belarmino
- The Next 24 Hours by Carl Joseph Papa
- Water Sports by Whammy Alcazaren
Cinemalaya, which was traditionally held every July or August, was postponed to October this year due to funding concerns. It has also typically taken place at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, but was moved to other cinemas because of the venue’s ongoing renovations.
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