LIST: Here are the films to be screened at Cinemalaya 2026
Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival has unveiled the films that will be screened at this year's festival, which will run from Aug. 6 to 18.
Carrying the theme "Reel Reflections," the 22nd Cinemalaya celebrates stories that reflect humanity, open new perspectives, and foster meaningful connections through cinema
According to Christ Millado, the organization's festival director, this year's theme aims to go "deep into memory, trauma, joy, into the parts of our consciousness that we don't usually post on social media."
Here are the final ten full-length films competing at this year's festival:
- 'a.ni.mal by Dustin Celestino
- 2 Valid IDs by Ma-an Asuncion-Dagñalan and Abet Pagdagdagan Raz
- Dangeom by Paul Sta. Ana
- Ganggang by JL Burgos
- Kamay ni Bathala by Mark Duane Angos
- Mag-iina by Giancarlo Abrahan and Guelan Varela-Luarca
- May Buntot ang mga Yan by Alpha Habon
- Status Rejected by Vahn Leinard Pascual
- Tayo Lang ang Nakakaalam by David Corpuz
- Tirik by May-i Guia Padilla
The festival also unveiled the 10 short films in competition:
- Elenita Elene Elaine by Gabriela Serrano
- Honey, My Love, So Sweet by JT Trinidad
- Hoy, Hoy, Ingat! by Norvin de los Santos
- Kung Paano Kakalas by Joseph Vitali
- Para-paraan by Mae Chan Li
- Runo! by Lysa Catolico and Jazmine Gin Pateña
- Silkscreen by Rey Anthony Villaverde
- Sorbetes by Jennissie Gilbuena
- The Keeper by Nolan Rae Fabular and TRNZ
- The River Flows in Different Places by Lot-lot Hermosura
The festival's opening and closing films will be the Berlinale Panorama and Perspectives titles Enjoy Your Stay by Dominik Locher and Filipiñana by Rafael Manuel. Both films will be screened at Shang Red Carpet Cinema on Aug. 6 and 16, respectively.
The 38th Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video, Southeast Asia's longest-running independent film competition, will also take place from Aug. 7 to 16 alongside the festival. It will feature entries in the Short Feature/Narrative, Experimental, Documentary, and Animation categories.
