PCFF 2025 Awarding Honors to Emerging Filmmakers in City of Harmony
PCFF 2025 Awarding Honors to Emerging Filmmakers in City of Harmony
PICTURE 1: Opening of the Palm City Film Festival 2025 at Herminigildo C. Baluyo, M.D. Hall.
TAGUM CITY — Known for its music, visual arts, and cultural vibrancy, Tagum had once again become a hub of creativity as the Palm City Film Festival (PCFF) unfolded, with its third edition dedicated to continuously showcasing emerging talents while celebrating peace, unity, and the city’s spirit of harmony.
PICTURE 2: Audience during the screening of the Palm City Film Festival 2025 film line-up and Sinag Maynila 2024 Reloaded at the Herminigildo C. Baluyo, M.D. Hall.
Where Harmony Meets the Screen
Held every November in Tagum, the Palm City Film Festival has been dedicated to nurturing grassroots filmmaking and empowering local talents. This year, the festival was anchored on the theme “Celebrating Films and Stories in the City of Harmony: A Platform for Peace and Unity,” reflecting both the country’s current challenges and the city’s cultural ethos.
As Bryan Jimenez, PCFF Festival Director, explains, "The theme was tailored with the current situation in our country… that is where the theme Peace and Unity is anchored."
Peace, unity, and collaboration had been central to the festival’s programming and purpose. Streets, cultural spaces, and cinemas had been adorned with banners, posters, and murals reflecting Tagum’s artistic spirit, inviting residents and visitors to join in celebrating creativity.
PICTURE 3: Film Talkback of ‘What You Did’, part of the Sinag Maynila 2024 Reloaded lineup, at the Herminigildo C. Baluyo, M.D. Hall.
A Curated Lineup of Stories
From 126 submissions, a carefully curated lineup had been chosen: 13 short films, 5 documentary shorts, and 12 exhibition films. The official selection had been posted ahead of the festival, generating excitement among student filmmakers across Mindanao.
PCFF had also collaborated with the Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival, organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines and Solar Entertainment. For the first time, screenings included Sinag Maynila 2024 entries, giving audiences access to full-length features, shorts, and documentaries recognized nationally.
Screenings had been held across Herminigildo C. Baloyo MD Hall, GMall Cinema 2, and Tagum Cultural Center Facade, with audiences seated on chairs, benches, and mats, leaning forward as stories unfolded on screen. Q&A sessions followed each screening, where filmmakers, cast, and producers shared insights with engaged viewers.
PICTURE 4: Screening of ‘Ang Maniniyot ni Papa Jisos’ by Franky Arrocena, part of the Sinag Maynila 2024 Reloaded lineup, at the Historical Center Facade.
Nurturing the Next Generation
Unlike nationwide festivals, PCFF had been intentionally focused on student filmmakers from Mindanao, with no entries from Visayas or Luzon. Jimenes emphasized: "The vision of the festival really is to focus on student filmmakers… we are trying to strengthen the grassroots level."
The festival had become a space for mentorship and inspiration. Talks and workshops were held by industry professionals such as award-winning filmmaker Zig Dulay, public anthropologist and film critic/educator Tito Valiente, and esteemed filmmaker Teng Manangsakan, giving students and aspiring creators hands-on insights and practical guidance.
PICTURE 5: Writer–Director Zig Dulay delivering his film talk, “Directing Through the Eyes of Direk Zig,” at the Herminigildo C. Baluyo, M.D. Hall.
PICTURE 6: Photo Opportunity during the Closing and Awarding Ceremony of the Palm City Film Festival 2025 at Gaisano Mall, Cinema 2.
Celebrating Excellence: The Awards
The PCFF 2025 Awards Ceremony, held on November 22, 2025, recognized outstanding student filmmakers and local storytellers. Awards were given in the following categories:
BALAY BALAY by Jun Gilar Saberon – Best Film (Golden Palm Award)
RAKET by Denesse A. Nagaliza – Grand Jury Prize
MIK-AP by Justeene Sayson – Jury Prize
PANIKAD by Abdul Raffy Macasiding – Special Citation for Documentary
DI LALIM, DI LALUM by Nicole Reyes – Best Documentary
BETWEEN THE SHELVES by Alexandra Bantilao – Best Workshop Film
BEAT by Evzen Freders Conejero – Specialization for Artistic Achievement
HUNI by Aimee Naomi Ang-ug and Jugi Tabada – Gender Justice Award
RAKET, Denesse A. Nagaliza – Best Director
RAKET, James Kaleb Boco – Best Actor
BETWEEN THE SHELVES, Sean Mayer Go – Best Actress
MIK-AP, Marsh Sabus, Shawie Caballe, and Michelle Rafael – Best Ensemble for Acting
RAKET, Lance Paul Viduya – Best Cinematography
DI LALIM, DI LALUM, Carylle Franchesca Nicolas – Jury Prize for Editing
MIK-AP, Ken Magpusao, and John Patrick Alfuerto – Best Editing
TINUBDAN, Karl Louie Calibadan – Best Production Design
BALAY BALAY, Jun Gilar Saberon – Best Screenplay
HUNI, Cheenee Fonda and Dianne Melody Talictic – Best Sound
PICTURE 7: ‘Balay-Balay’ by Jun Gilar Saberon received the Best Film (Golden Palm Award) during the Palm City Film Festival 2025 Awarding Ceremony.
During the awarding, Best Film (Golden Palm Award) recipient Jun Gilar Saberon shared an emotional message following the recognition for Balay, Balay: “I was overwhelmed winning the award — honestly, di ko siya inexpect. And to everyone who watched the film, thank you. I hope you feel seen in your own version of home, whatever it may look like. I hope it reminds you that even imperfect homes can shape us in meaningful ways.”
PICTURE 8: ‘Raket’ by Denesse A. Nagaliza received the Best Director Award during the Palm City Film Festival 2025 Awarding Ceremony.
Meanwhile, homegrown Tagumenyo Best Director Denesse A. Nagaliza, a Grade 10 Media Arts student from Tagum National Trade School, also expressed her gratitude: “First time ko gumawa ng film sa aking journey as a Media Arts student. Thankful ako sobra sa aking team… ang masasabi ko sa mga aspiring filmmakers like me: keep going. Sa buhay natin ngayon, mahirap talaga ang buhay — always make the right choice, and think thrice if kinakailangan.”
Vision of an Artistic City
Asked about the festival’s aspirations, Jimenes shared: "We want to focus on the arts, not just in film, but also in dance, music, and visual arts. When it comes to filmmaking, our goal is for Tagum to eventually nurture and produce renowned artists."
Despite the hurdles of a third-year festival, the team had strived to elevate its standards and impact. Throughout its run, PCFF had transformed Tagum’s creative spaces into hubs of reflection, dialogue, and celebration — a testament to the city’s identity as the City of Harmony. Streets and cultural centers were filled with students, families, and film enthusiasts who moved seamlessly from one venue to another. The city pulsed with creativity, offering both intimate viewing experiences and festival-wide energy.
As the final screenings drew to a close, what remained was the spirit of collaboration and shared inspiration: a city united by stories, young filmmakers empowered by community, and a festival that had continued to nurture peace, unity, and artistic excellence.
The 3rd Palm City Film Festival 2025 took place from November 17 to 22 in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.
SINEGANG.ph is an official media partner of the Palm City Film Festival 2025.
