ENTERTAINMENT NEWS, REVIEWS
Dustin Celestino’s A.ni.mal is one of the funniest, most daring satires in recent Cinemalaya history. Backed by a brilliant ensemble cast, it uses sharp comedy to confront our political biases and double standards with uncomfortable accuracy. A must-watch!
2 VALID IDS (Cinemalaya 2026) ReviewDirected by Ma-an L. Asuncion-Dagñalan and Abet Pagdagdagan Raz 2 Valid IDs is a film that demands urgent attention, striking a deeply relatable chord with anyone who has ever been trapped in bureaucratic red tape. The universal experience of navigating inefficient, endless government processes, which bleed citizens of both time …
GANGGANG (Cinemalaya 2026) ReviewDirected by JL Burgos In Ganggang, JL Burgos’ first full-length narrative film, the main message is clear and constant from the opening scene to the end credits. Burgos spends the entire movie carefully setting up the story, building tension step by step so you know something heavy is about to happen. He …
Status: Rejected is a deeply moving Cinemalaya family drama driven by a brilliant performance from Ruby Ruiz and evocative production design by Marielle Hizon. Rich in authentic family dynamics and heartwarming sequences, it stands out as a truly resonant watch.
Director Alpha Habon shifts from comedy to drama with his Cinemalaya film Kaka Sa Yawan. Centered on Tadyawan-Mangyan heritage, the film stars Beaver Magtalas and Nicolo Mercader in a moving story about friendship, grief, healing, and unfulfilled promises.
Fresh off its acclaimed world premiere in the Berlinale Panorama section of the 2026 Berlin International Film Festival, Dominik Locher’s latest feature film, Enjoy Your Stay, has been officially selected to open the 22nd Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival. Presented by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) in collaboration with Belgium-based sales agent Be For Films, the film boasts a compelling screenplay penned by Honeylyn Joy Alipio. Local audiences can catch the film’s grand Philippine Premiere on August 6, 2026, at 7:30 PM at the Red Carpet Cinemas 1 & 2 in Shangri-La Plaza, with admission offered completely free to the public.
LG Electronics Philippines proudly joins hands with Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival as Major Sponsor, further solidifying its commitment to empowering Filipino artistry and innovation. This year’s theme, “Cinemalaya 21: Layag sa Alon, Hangin, at Unos”, continues the festival’s legacy of celebrating Filipino independent films and supporting new filmmakers, keeping Philippine cinema vibrant with stories that reflect and capture real Filipino life.
The bigness of the film covers a lot of themes, but what stood out to me is its appreciation to classic Pinoy fantasy action films. ‘Child No. 82’ is a love letter to a genre that most adults today have fond memories of.
“Paano nila natago sa isang bayan ang sarili nilang kasaysayan?” First line on its first seconds, the trailer for Cinemalaya 2025 official entry ‘Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra Ang Kasaysayan,’ not only piques interest but also hits home.
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.