ENTERTAINMENT NEWS, REVIEWS
Ten original short films were selected for the inaugural Panorama Shorts Section at the 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival. Premiering independently produced works from Philippine filmmakers, the films screen from Sept 23–Oct 4 at Gateway Cineplex 18.
Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival is bolstering its support for Filipino filmmakers by introducing—for the first time ever—the new Panorama Shorts Section, which will feature previously completed short films from both professional and student filmmakers.
The QCinema International Film Festival has announced the recipients of its 2026 QCShorts grant, distributing ₱3.5 million ($57,817) across five short film projects by Filipino filmmakers based in the Philippines.
The selected filmmakers and their projects are: Carla Pulido Ocampo (“Agsangit Laeng ti Al-alia”), Clister Santos (“Sana’y Nandito Ka”), Maki Makilan (“Body Works”), Rodiell Veloso (“Run Shirley Run!”), and Toni Cañete (“Maanaa Kanimo”).
Rising Filipino actress Ashtine Olviga takes center stage in memorare, a haunting new short film set to hold its world premiere at the Main Program of Sehsüchte International Student Film Festival in Potsdam, Germany, on April 23, 2026.
Puregold carries on with its heartfelt tribute to Filipino sari-sari store owners or micro-entrepreneurs with its Sari-Sari Stories video series, the newest installment of which features a special cameo from BINI’s Jhoanna. “The Witness” is a short film that tells a tender, coming-of-age love story, one that unfolds across the years, shaped by change, constancy, and the quiet presence of a sari-sari store owner who sees it all.
Puregold CinePanalo, currently on its third iteration, has unveiled the top 20 student short films culled from an impressive pool of 267 submissions nationwide. Chosen from an initial top 53 shortlist, the select entries were crafted by the Philippines’ most promising student filmmakers who are poised to shape the future of Philippine cinema.
The Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival serves as a crucial gateway for student filmmakers into the Philippine entertainment industry. By supporting the industry’s brightest young talents, the festival offers a vital platform for these aspirants to develop their craft. Notably, its annual student shorts category provides significant production grants and valuable opportunities to create professional-level work.
Cinepride Film Festival winner for Best Director for Jon Galvez and Best Lead Performance for Precious Paula Nicole, ’Lipsync Assassin’ is now showing until September 30 at Gateway Cineplex, Robinsons Manila, Robinsons Antipolo, SM Mall of Asia, SM Fairview, TriNoma and Market Market as part of the SHORTS SET D of the Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival 2025.
Two years after his groundbreaking animated feature “Iti Mapukpukaw” was hailed as Best Film at the 19th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, Carl Joseph Papa is back in the circuit with another animated offering ‘The Next 24 Hours.’
The team behind Elephant Paths presents its official poster and its official trailer. Directed by Joshua de Vera, the highly-anticipated film is an official entry in Sine Kabataan 8, a short film festival organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines.