
ALL PRESS RELEASES

Cinemalaya 21 closes with a tribute to the late auteur Mike de Leon
In honor of one of the most important and influential filmmakers in Philippine cinema, the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival will close its 21st edition with Mike De Leon’s Kakabakaba Ka Ba? at the Shangri-La Plaza Red Carpet Cinemas 1 & Premiere Theater on October 11, 8:00 PM.

Who will sail away with the Balanghai trophies?
The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival not only recognizes talented Filipino independent filmmakers, but also distinguished individuals who take on the challenging task of selecting the films that will bring home the coveted Balanghai trophies.

The Cinema of ‘Cinemartyrs’
A young filmmaker stated on their social media post upon seeing the teaser for the latest film directed by Sari Dalena, it’s like “the Avengers: Endgame of PH Alternative Cinema.” That may not be far from the truth as within fifteen seconds, luminaries such as auteur Lav Diaz and National Artist Kidlat Tahimik have their moment on screen.

Cinemalaya 21 kicks off with Indian film ‘The Elysian Field’
‘The Elysian Field’, a NETPAC Award-winning film by Indian filmmaker Pradip Kurbah, makes its Philippine debut at the 21st edition of the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival this October 3, 2025, at the Red Carpet Cinemas of Shangri-La Plaza.

37th Gawad Alternatibo ignites new narratives with Pasiklab
Championing the best of Filipino alternative storytelling, the Gawad Alternatibo Para sa Pelikula at Video returns this 2025 to spark curiosity, creativity, and conversations with its theme Pasiklab.

‘Iti Mapukpukaw’ director Carl Joseph Papa returns to Cinemalaya with animated short on aftermath of sexual assault
Premiering at Cinemalaya 2025, Carl Joseph Papa’s ‘The Next 24 Hours ‘ is an animated short film on the quest of a woman to seek help and justice in the immediate aftermath of a sexual assault.
‘Cinemalaya 21: Layag sa Alon, Hangin, at Unos’ navigates the evolving tides of Philippine cinema
Continuing the tradition of bold storytelling, the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival sets sail once more from October 3 to 12, propelled by the unwavering strength of the Filipino spirit amidst change and turbulent times.