CINEMALAYA: Braving the Sea, Weathering the Storm
Navigating the theme of ‘Layag sa Alon, Hangin, at Unos,’ Cinemalaya 21 set sail with a new collection of films by aspiring and veteran Filipino filmmakers.
Words Donavil Angeles
Photo courtesy of Kiko Cabuena
September 12, 2025
Navigating boundless waters to mark another milestone and settle into a new home, the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival will celebrate its 21st year at its main venue, Red Carpet Cinemas by Shangri-La Plaza, from October 3 to 12, 2025.
With the recent partnership with Shangri-La Plaza, stepping in while the CCP Main Building undergoes rehabilitation, Cinemalaya’s reach expands further. This year, additional screening venues include CCP’s longtime partner Ayala Malls and Gateway Cineplex, offering cinephiles and cinema lovers more opportunities to experience the festival.
This year’s Cinemalaya promises to showcase diverse voices and daring stories, all aimed at amplifying the strength of Philippine cinema and breaking through the mainstream.
“The words alon, hangin, and unos evoke movement, transition, and the force of nature. These elements make independent Filipino cinema thrive,” said Kaye Tinga, President of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, in her opening remarks.
“We are proud to continue this tradition of bold storytelling. Cinemalaya 21 promises another wave of compelling narratives, crafted by voices that refuse to be silenced—voices that persist and rise even amid the strongest unos.”
Running alongside the festival is the 37th Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video, the longest-running independent film competition in Southeast Asia. The competition features categories in Short Feature/Narrative, Experimental, Documentary, and Animation. This year’s theme, ‘Pasiklab,’ aims to "spark curiosity, creativity, and conversations" from October 4 to 10.
Breaking the mold
Cinemalaya’s 21st edition boasts a total of ten full-length films and ten short feature films in the competition.
Under the full-length films are Nonilon Abao’s “Bloom Where You Are Planted”; Tim Rone Villanueva’s “Child No. 82”; Sari Dalena’s “Cinematryrs”; Dustin Celestino’s “Habang Nilalamon Ng Hydra Ang Kasaysayan”; Jenn Romano’s “Padamlágan”; Cheska Marfori and Raymund Barcelon’s “Paglilitis”; Nigel Santos and Keavy Vicente’s “Open Endings”; Renei Dimla’s “Republika Ng Pipolipinas”; Ryan Machado’s “Raging”; and finally, Kevin Alambra’s “Warla.”
Amongst these ten works, one film would covet and bring aboard the Balanghai Trophy of 2025, a prestigious award for Best Film, signifying utmost excellence in Philippine cinema.
The Short Feature Category would present works such as “Ascension From The Office Cubicle” by 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; and “Water Sports” by Whammy Alcazaren.
Alongside the introduction of this year’s films, Cinemalaya President Laurice Guillen shared that preparations are already underway for the selection of entries for Cinemalaya 2026, set to premiere next year.
“As you can see, it is a continuing cycle. After 20 years, you can say it’s a never-ending process. Difficult, almost impossible, but thoroughly necessary, meaningful, and valuable to the industry and to Philippine culture,” she added.
Fostering growth
Beginning with its foundation in 2005, the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival has continued to promote, recognize, and cultivate the talents and artistic freedom of Filipino filmmakers. At its core is the objective to shed light on independent films that express what is often left unsaid, tackling stories and themes typically overlooked in mainstream cinema.
“For over two decades now, Cinemalaya has served as both compass and vessel for our filmmakers, who navigate stories that speak of truth, identity, struggle, and, of course, hope. From intimate portraits of the Filipino to bold confrontations with social injustice, the films we premiere here are not just art; they are acts of courage,” says CCP President Kaye Tinga.
Over the past 20 years, the Cinemalaya Film Festival has amplified the voices of more than 200 Filipino filmmakers and brought over 1,000 of their works to the big screen, laying the groundwork for a thriving independent cinema scene.
Many of these films have since become prominent names in the industry, their strength rooted in a shared vision: to tell stories that are bold, brave, and unapologetically Filipino.
In its 21st year, Cinemalaya continues to advocate for both creative freedom and the push for telling the unconventional. With its promise to continuously serve as a platform for filmmakers who dare to withstand the tumultuous storm and confront unseen realities in the film industry, the Cinemalaya Film Festival perseveres in sailing the waves of change and progression into a more profound Philippine cinema.
