Cinemalaya 2024 guide: Screening schedules, free films, and more
Calling all cinephiles and fans of local independent films! The Cinemalaya Festival is back with some exciting movies in store from July until August.
Its 2024 run carries the theme "Loob, Lalim, Lakas," which is meant to convey the various values, ideas, and issues that Filipino artists strive to instill in the audience.
To make your viewing experience even better, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) is currently holding screenings of past Cinemalaya films without putting a price on the tickets.
If you’re looking to be part of this year’s movie fest, we have prepared a guide on everything you need to know—from the screening schedule to the participating films this year. Read more about it below.
Free screenings
In celebration of the festival's 20th year, the FDCP will showcase some of Cinemalaya's critically acclaimed films for free.
The free screenings began on July 10 and will end on July 27. The films are being screened at the FDCP's Cinematheque Centres located in Manila, Iloilo, Davao, Negros, and Nabunturan.
Some of the films being brought back are Quick Change, Ang Babae sa Septic Tank, What Isn't There, Bagahe, Bwakaw, Bwaya, Endo, Engkwentro, John Denver Trending, Last Supper No. 3, Nabubulok, Pepot Artista, Respeto, Transit, Tribu, and The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros.
Below is the schedule for the films:
Cinemalaya proper
For the Cinemalaya proper, the new films will be shown at Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Greenbelt, Trinoma, UP Town Center, and Market Market, since its original mainstay venue, the main building of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, is undergoing rehabilitation.
This will take place from Aug. 2 to 11 and will feature 10 short films and 11 full-length movies. Have a look at their posters below:
Full length films:
THE WEDDING DANCE by Julius Lumiqued - Following the Japanese invasion in the 1940s, Awiyao comes home to his wife Lumnay to ask her to attend the wedding dance.
BALOTA by Kip Oebanda, DGPI - During the 2007 elections, a former sexy star and a land-grabbing tycoon are in a tight race for mayor.
LOVE CHILD by Jonathan Jurilla - College sweethearts Ayla and Paolo decide to drop out of school to start a family after a whirlwind romance leads to an unplanned pregnancy.
ALIPATO AT MUOG by JL Burgos - Delves into the abduction of Jonas Burgos in 2007
THE HEARING by Lawrence Fajardo and Honee Alipio - Lucas, a deaf boy from a small fishing village, is sexually abused by Fr. Mejor, an influential priest.
KANTIL by Joshua Caesar Medroso - Star-crossed lovers Paleng and Eliong bid farewell as their love is threatened by the imminent demolition of Paleng’s coastal village.
KONO BASHO by Jaime Pacena Ii - Ella, a 28-year-old Filipina anthropologist, travels to Rikuzentakata City for her estranged father Emman's funeral.
TUMANDOK by Richard Jeroui Salvadico and Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay - The film reveals the struggle of Atis to reclaim their land.
AN ERRAND by Dominic Bekaert and Sarge Lacuesta - Moroy, a driver, is jolted awake in the dead of night by an urgent call from SIR
GULAY LANG, MANONG by Bc Amparado - Struggling farmer Pilo Sabado faces trouble when his grandson Ricky gets involved in the cannabis trade with his friend Razer.
THE WEDDING DANCE by Julius Lumiqued - Following the Japanese invasion in the 1940s, Awiyao comes home to his wife Lumnay to ask her to attend the wedding dance.
BALOTA by Kip Oebanda, DGPI - During the 2007 elections, a former sexy star and a land-grabbing tycoon are in a tight race for mayor.
LOVE CHILD by Jonathan Jurilla - College sweethearts Ayla and Paolo decide to drop out of school to start a family after a whirlwind romance leads to an unplanned pregnancy.
ALIPATO AT MUOG by JL Burgos - Delves into the abduction of Jonas Burgos in 2007
THE HEARING by Lawrence Fajardo and Honee Alipio - Lucas, a deaf boy from a small fishing village, is sexually abused by Fr. Mejor, an influential priest.
KANTIL by Joshua Caesar Medroso - Star-crossed lovers Paleng and Eliong bid farewell as their love is threatened by the imminent demolition of Paleng’s coastal village.
KONO BASHO by Jaime Pacena Ii - Ella, a 28-year-old Filipina anthropologist, travels to Rikuzentakata City for her estranged father Emman's funeral.
TUMANDOK by Richard Jeroui Salvadico and Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay - The film reveals the struggle of Atis to reclaim their land.
AN ERRAND by Dominic Bekaert and Sarge Lacuesta - Moroy, a driver, is jolted awake in the dead of night by an urgent call from SIR
GULAY LANG, MANONG by Bc Amparado - Struggling farmer Pilo Sabado faces trouble when his grandson Ricky gets involved in the cannabis trade with his friend Razer.
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Short films:
PAMALANDONG SA DANOW by Breech Asher Harani - Childhood friends Remy, Marites and Ricky, who are all descendants of the first indigenous settlers of Agusan Marsh, make it their life mission to protect and preserve their ancestral land.
MAMA by Alexandra Brizuela - Mama follows two mothers, Lydjay and Mary Ann, whose children were killed in the war on drugs.
CROSS MY HEART AND HOPE TO DIE by Sam Manacsa - Mila struggles as she remains unpaid at work and a love interest becomes a source of comfort through his constant phone calls.
i was walking on the streets of chinatown by Ryan Capili - A film director goes back to his hometown, Chinatown, to make an autobiographical film.
AMBOT WA KO KABALO UNSAY I-TITLE ANI by Rey Anthony Villaverde - Luis and Lorenz, two troubled yet ambitious aspiring filmmakers, embark on an audacious journey to create an independent short film.
AN BAGA SA DALAN by Mariel Ritchie Jolejole and Roniño Dolim - The life of Rene, a young man from Sag-Od in Las Navas, Northern Samar, is upended by the brutal Sag-Od massacre that claims his parents.
ABOGBAYBAY by P.R. Monencillo Patindol - Three brothers deal with grief after the death of their mother.
PRIMETIME MOTHER by Sonny Calvento - Minda, a 45-year-old mother, wants nothing but to join and win in a popular and high-paying television game show “My Amazing Mama.”
ALL THIS WASTED SPACE by Cris Bringas - A queer woman recounts and reenacts the menace that comes with accepting one’s sexuality in a home marred by rejection.
MARIPOSA by Melanie Faye - Des, a sixteen-year old, has experienced being fingered as early as the age of seven.
PAMALANDONG SA DANOW by Breech Asher Harani - Childhood friends Remy, Marites and Ricky, who are all descendants of the first indigenous settlers of Agusan Marsh, make it their life mission to protect and preserve their ancestral land.
MAMA by Alexandra Brizuela - Mama follows two mothers, Lydjay and Mary Ann, whose children were killed in the war on drugs.
CROSS MY HEART AND HOPE TO DIE by Sam Manacsa - Mila struggles as she remains unpaid at work and a love interest becomes a source of comfort through his constant phone calls.
i was walking on the streets of chinatown by Ryan Capili - A film director goes back to his hometown, Chinatown, to make an autobiographical film.
AMBOT WA KO KABALO UNSAY I-TITLE ANI by Rey Anthony Villaverde - Luis and Lorenz, two troubled yet ambitious aspiring filmmakers, embark on an audacious journey to create an independent short film.
AN BAGA SA DALAN by Mariel Ritchie Jolejole and Roniño Dolim - The life of Rene, a young man from Sag-Od in Las Navas, Northern Samar, is upended by the brutal Sag-Od massacre that claims his parents.
ABOGBAYBAY by P.R. Monencillo Patindol - Three brothers deal with grief after the death of their mother.
PRIMETIME MOTHER by Sonny Calvento - Minda, a 45-year-old mother, wants nothing but to join and win in a popular and high-paying television game show “My Amazing Mama.”
ALL THIS WASTED SPACE by Cris Bringas - A queer woman recounts and reenacts the menace that comes with accepting one’s sexuality in a home marred by rejection.
MARIPOSA by Melanie Faye - Des, a sixteen-year old, has experienced being fingered as early as the age of seven.
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As of writing, details on the screening dates and ticket prices have yet to be detailed.