Cinemalaya 21: What to Expect from This Year’s 10 Full-Length Films

September 7 ------ When the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival opens its 21st edition from Oct. 3 to 12, it sets out again to tell stories that challenge as much as they entertain. With the theme “Cinemalaya 21: Layag sa Alon, Hangi, at Unos,” this year’s lineup promises to confront issues like abuse, corruption, and forgotten histories, but also shine a light on stories of healing, hope, and chosen families.

The pioneering independent film festival returns with 10 full-length features, all vying for the coveted Balanghai trophies. Competing in the Full-Length Category are: “Bloom Where You Are Planted” by Nonilon Abao; “Child No. 82” by Tim Rone Villanueva; “Cinemartyrs” by Sari Dalena; “Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan” by Dustin Celestino; “Padamlágan” by Jenn Romano; “Paglilitis” by Cheska Marfori; “Open Endings” by Nigel Santos; “Republika ng Pipolipinas” by Renei Dimla; “Raging” by Ryan Machado; and “Warla” by Kevin Alambra.

In her speech, Cinemalaya Foundation president Laurice Guillen said the whole process of submission, development, and completion took about 20 months. “That means, as we introduce... the new films of Cinemalaya 2025, work on the 2026 batch had already begun. Twenty semi-finalists are currently in the Film Lab. Ten finalists whose scripts will be finished by October will then be announced at the closing ceremony. Soon after, they will start pre-production, and their films will premiere next year. “As you can see, it is a continuing cycle. After 20 years, you can say it’s a never-ending process. Difficult, almost impossible, but thoroughly necessary, meaningful, and valuable to the industry and to Philippine culture.”

This year’s edition moved from its traditional August schedule to October due to budget delays that affected production timelines. Guillen explained during a separate interview, “In order to give (the filmmakers) time, we have to move to October. We chose the play date because wala kami sa sagasaan na ibang festival.” She dismissed any suggestion that the festival might be postponed or cancelled. “Alam mo, dumaan na tayo sa — remember the pandemic when you could not shoot anywhere? So what happened? The festival still pushed through. Short films lang ang pinalabas because the full length, hindi kaya (bawal ang shooting). There were external forces. “This is also external, right? But it’s not something that is a pandemic. In other words, you look for the money from other sources.”

Funding challenges were addressed when First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos stepped in to cover the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ portion of the seed grants after the Film Development Council of the Philippines remained the steady contributor. Guillen confirmed, however, that CCP intends to continue as a festival partner.

Meanwhile, the full-length films competing for the prestigious Balanghai Trophy this year represent a range of stories, themes, and genres: “Paglilitis” (drama) by Cheska Marfori is about a former executive assistant who files a case years after suffering workplace harassment, only to face social media backlash. Cast includes Rissey Reyes-Robinson, Eula Valdez, Leo Martinez, Jackie Lou Blanco, Sid Lucer,o and Cherry Malvar. “We should never stop telling these stories on all the platforms that we have,” said Marfori. “Let’s not disregard any form of harassment… When we feel uncomfortable, we speak up and we ask for help.”

“Raging” (drama) by Ryan Machado is set in 1990s Romblon, following a young man’s search for truth after abuse and a mysterious plane crash. It stars Elijah Canlas and Ron Angeles. “As a native of Romblon, I hear the deafening silence surrounding male abuse,” said Machado. “‘Raging’ is also a love letter to my homeland… a call for justice for the abused spaces — the one we live in and the one we are in.”

“Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan” (existential drama) by Dustin Celestino is about four Filipinos grappling with political defeat, memory and hope. Cast includes Dolly de Leon, Zanjoe Marudo and Mylene Dizon. “Our film is a call to live with purpose in the face of despair… to create light even when surrounded by shadows,” said Celestino.

“Republika ng Pipolipinas” (mockumentary) by Renei Dimla is about a farmer who declares her own micronation after facing eviction from her own land by the local government. Cast stars Geraldine Villamil and Alessandra de Rossi. “It tells the story of a woman… Her plight is a David vs. Goliath struggle between an individual fighting for her rights and the state that tries to protect its interests by undermining her at every turn,” said Dimla.

“Child No. 82” (dramedy/fantasy) by Tim Rone Villanueva is about a boy claiming to be the 82nd child of an action star. Stars JM Ibarra, Rochelle Pangilinan and Vhong Navarro. “This film courageously strives to tackle the sensitive themes of paternity, machismo and impunity of men amongst Filipinos,” said Villanueva.

“Cinemartyrs” (drama) by Sari Dalena is about a filmmaker recreating massacres from Philippine history and awakening angry spirits in the process. Cast includes Nour Hooshmand, Paul Cedric Juan, Angel Aquino, and Lav Diaz. “Many of the challenges came from trying to bridge cultural barriers during the filming in Mindanao,” said Dalena. “Lastly — the most unexpected of them all — was that the production had to overcome supernatural elements.

“Warla” (crime/social drama) by Kevin Alambra is inspired by true events, about a transgender woman who joins a gang for survival. Stars Jervi Wrightson and Lance Reblando. “In speaking with many transgender women, I was struck not only by their hardships, but… a longing to belong, to be cared for, to live fully,” said Alambra.

“Bloom Where You Are Planted” (documentary) by Nonilon Abao follows three land rights activists in Cagayan Valley. The project was inspired by the 2019 killing of Randy Malayao, said Abao, and is dedicated to the “Ilokano, Ybanag, Cagayan Valley residents” who embraced the filmmaker and subjects.

“Open Endings” (drama/romance/LGBTQIA+) by Nigel Santos is about four queer women navigating love, friendship, and adulthood. Cast includes Janella Salvador, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Leanne Mamonong, and Klea Pineda. “‘Open Endings’ comes from a personal place: a need to explore the kinds of queer relationships we rarely see on screen,” said Santos.

“Padamlágan” (period drama) by Jenn Romano is about a father’s search for his missing son during the 1972 Colgante Bridge tragedy before Martial Law. Cast includes Ely Buendia, Esteban Mara, and Sue Prado. “Padamlágan is a call to remember,” said Romano. “As a filmmaker from Bicol, I believe this history must continue to be shared.”

Source: philstar.com