Cine Balikbayan aims to spotlight films by Filipinos across the seas
Cine Balikbayan aims to spotlight films by Filipinos across the seas
SINEGANG.ph published this press release shared by Cine Balikbayan. No staff writer participated in writing this article.
This October, Cine Balikbayan launches its first exhibition program of films from the Filipino diaspora. The exhibition features thirteen short films and one feature film, with half of them making their Manila debuts. The event happens on October 17 and 18 at the Dengcar Theater at Mowelfund.
The exhibition brings together two distinct film programs. The first, which is Gladiola Films and Gate 11’s Stories from the Diaspora, features the following shorts:
Best Fiend by Jonathan de Guzman II
Lola by Grace Hanna
Desync by Minerva Navasca
Dear Watsonville by Sandra Lucille
Mosquito Lady by Kristine Gerolaga
Awit Natin by Pacqui Pascual
The second program, presented by Rattan Creative Projects, marks the Philippine debut of the following short films:
LOLOBATMAN by Madonna Diaz-Refugio
An Ongoing List of Things Found in the Library Book Drop, Usually Being Used as Bookmarks by Kayla Abuda Galang
Saint Vegas by Samantha Herrera
The Van by Bernard Badion
Te Seguir a la Oscuridad by Nick Luciano
A Karaoke Space Odyssey by Achim Mendoza
This program also features the Filipino-British short film Nightingale by RJ Fernandez, which was funded by a grant from the Benilde Open.
The highlight of Cine Balikbayan is the Philippine premiere of Alice-Heart by Mike Macera, which features Lissa Carandang-Sweeney as its lead actor. The film received an honorable mention for the feature category and an outstanding acting prize for its lead at the Slamdance Film Festival 2025. It will be paired with another Philippine premiere, fellow Slamdance alumna Marie Jamora’s Flip the Record.
Cine Balikbayan celebrates the diversity of films and stories that, whether told in the Philippines or across the diaspora, expand the ways we understand the Filipino experience. These perspectives, woven together, reflect our shared humanity and resilience in the face of unprecedented challenges. The organizers and filmmakers of this program invite audiences to join in conversation, mutual understanding, and action towards positive change and creative flourishing.
Cine Balikbayan is a joint effort of Gate 11 Films, Gladiola Films, and Rattan Creative Projects, with the Mowelfund Film Institute as partner.
For more information on the program, please contact Ren Aguila at renpaul@gmail.com. You can also visit the program’s official Instagram page at cinebalikbayan.
