13th QCinema Festival rolls out over 80 films

November 9 ------ The 13th QCinema International Film Festival shines a spotlight on Quezon City’s ongoing commitment to remain the heart of Philippine cinema. Running from November 14 to 23, this year’s edition features an expansive lineup of over 80 films from around the world, further cementing the city’s role at the forefront of the country’s creative and film industries.

Mayor Joy Belmonte said QCinema continues to serve as “a platform for participative celebration of narratives,” bringing film culture beyond theaters and into the community. “We democratize access to the art form — we take it to the park, we bring it to universities and colleges, and even to the barangay (village),” Belmonte said during the QCinema press conference. “So if a hardcore cinephile can watch films from winning directors of the Cannes Film Festival here in QC, we’ll make sure these works are equally accessible to the market vendor, the buko seller, the sari-sari store owner, and our students most of all,” the mayor added, emphasizing the festival’s responsibility to reach everyday citizens as the event is publicly funded.

This year’s theme, “Film City,” reaffirms the city’s place at the center of the country’s film and creative industries. Leading this year’s lineup are four competition categories: Asian Next Wave, RainbowQC, New Horizons, and QCShorts International.

Asian Next Wave includes: “A Useful Ghost” by Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke (Thailand, France, Singapore, Germany); “Diamonds in the Sand” by Janus Victoria (Japan, Malaysia, Philippines); “Family Matters” by Pan Ke-yin (Taiwan); “Ky Nam Inn” by Leon Le (Vietnam); “Lost Land” by Akio Fujimoto (Japan, France, Malaysia, Germany); “Luz” by Flora Lau (China, Hong Kong); “Open Endings” by Nigel Santos (Philippines); “Renoir” by Chie Hayakawa (Japan); and “The World of Love” by Yoon Ga-Eun (South Korea).

RainbowQC features: “3670” by Park Joon-Ho (South Korea); “Bel Ami” by Geng Jun (France, Taiwan); “Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingoes” by Diego Céspedes (Chile); “On the Road” by David Pablos (Mexico); “Skin of Youth” by Ash Mayfair (Vietnam, Singapore, Japan); “Strange River” by Jaume Claret Muxart (Spain, Germany); “Summer’s Camera” by Divine Sung (South Korea); and “The Little Sister” by Hafsia Herzi (France, Germany).

New Horizons showcases: “Amoeba” by Siyou Tan (Singapore, Netherlands, France, Spain, South Korea); “Blue Heron” by Sophy Romvari (Canada, Hungary, USA); “Brand New Landscape” by Danzuka Yuiga (Japan); “Chronology of Water” by Kristen Stewart (USA, France, Latvia); “DJ Ahmet” by Georgi Unkovski (North Macedonia, Czechia, Serbia, Croatia); “Lucky Lu” by Lloyd Lee Choi (Canada, USA); “Manas” by Marianna Brennand (Brazil, Portugal); “On Your Lap” by Reza Rahadian (Indonesia); and “The President’s Cake” by Hasan Hadi (Iraq, USA, Qatar).

Finally, QCShorts International presents 21 short films, including six QCinema 2025 grantees such as “Hoy, Hoy, Ingat!” by Norvin de los Santos, “RUNO!” by Racquel Catolico and Jazmine Gin Pateña, and “Surface Tension” by the Serrano Sisters. Other titles include “Agapito” by Arvin Belarmino and Kyla Danelle Romero, “Vox Humana” by Don Josephus Eblahan, and “Grandma Nai Who Played Favorites” by Chheangkea.

Beyond competition, QCinema expands its programming with Screen International, Before Midnight, Rediscovery, QC Selects, and two new showcases: Dokyu Days and Focus On: Sandra Hüller.

The Screen International section includes: “Couture” by Alice Winocour — the festival’s opening film, “Divine Comedy” by Ali Asgari, “Hamnet” by Chloé Zhao, “History of Sound” by Oliver Hermanus, “Little Amélie” by Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han, “Once Upon a Time in Gaza” by Tarzan and Arab Nasser, “Sirat” by Oliver Laxe, “The Mastermind” by Kelly Reichardt, and “The Things You Kill” by Alireza Kahatami.

Before Midnight features “The Garden of Earthly Delights” by Morgan Knibbe, “Rabbit Trap” by Bryn Chainey, and “Ugly Stepsister” by Emilie Blichfeldt (Norway, Poland, Sweden, Denmark). Rediscovery brings back modern classics: “Almost Famous” by Cameron Crowe, “Linda Linda Linda” by Nobuhiro Yamashita, and “Showgirls” by Paul Verhoeven. QC Selects spotlights homegrown works, including “Call My Manager” by Erik Matti, “Human Resource” by Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit, “Lakambini: Gregoria de Jesus” by Arjanmar Rebeta and Jeffrey Jeturian, and “Rental Family” by Hikari.

QCinema screenings will be held across Gateway, Eastwood, Trinoma, Fisher Mall, Robinsons Galleria, and Cloverleaf, with tickets priced at P250.

Source: manilatimes.net