The Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival returns for its 21st edition, highlighting 10 full-length and 10 short films in competition.

The tradition of bold storytelling continues this Oct. 3 to 12, 2025 as Southeast Asia’s longest-running independent film festival once again serves as a platform for top-tier visual storytelling that ignites imagination and amplifies diverse voices in cinema, anchored by the creative vision of Filipino filmmakers. Embracing the theme, “Cinemalaya 21: Layag sa Alon, Hangin, at Unos,” this year’s festival is propelled by the unwavering strength of the Filipino spirit amidst change and turbulent times.

From a film about queer women navigating love, adulthood, and everything in between to stories about strange transformations that lead to acceptance and bold realizations, this year’s lineup provides a cinematic feast that will surely satisfy your creative cravings.

At the press conference held at Shangri-La Plaza on Sept. 3, Laurice Guillen, Cinemalaya Foundation President, revealed that the films had been selected in November 2023 from a pool of more than 200 entries. This was then followed by one-on-one interviews and deliberations by a selection committee, which cut down the list to 20 semi-finalists, and then finally to 10 finalists after a three-month Film Lab. It took a total of 20 months for the entire filmmaking process.

“That means, as we introduce to you today the new films of Cinemalaya 2025, work on the 2026 Batch had already begun,” she said. “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.”

Here’s the full list of finalists in the full-length and short film categories:

Full-Lengths in Competition

• “Bloom Where You Are Planted” by Nonilon Abao
• “Child No. 82 by Tim Rone Villanueva
• “Cinemartyrs” by Sari Dalena
• “Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra and Kasaysayan” by Dustin Celestino”
• “Padamlágan” by Jenn Romano
• “Paglilitis” by Cheska Marfori and Raymund Barcelon
• “Open Endings” by Nigel Santos and Keavy Vicente
• “Republika ng Pipolipinas” by Renei Dimla
• “Raging” by Ryan Machado
• “Warla” by Kevin Alambra

Short Films in Competition

• “Ascension From The Office Cubicle” by Hannah Silvestre
• “Figat” by Handiong Kapuno
• “Hasang” by Daniel de la Cruz
• “I’m Best Left Inside My Head” by Elian Idioma
• “Kay Basta Angkarabo Yay Bagay Ibat Ha Langit” by Marie Estela Paiso
• “Kung Tugnaw Ang Kaidalman Sang Lawod” Seth Andrew Blanca
• “Please Keep This Copy” by Miguel Lorenzo Peralta
• “Radikals” by Arvin Belarmino
• “The Next 24 Hours”  by Carl Joseph Papa
• “Water Sports” by Whammy Alcazaren

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Cinemalaya Foundation, Inc. will be bringing these films to more cinemas this year, with Red Carpet Cinemas by Shangri-La Plaza as a new partner and main venue. You can also catch these movies at Ayala Malls and Gateway Cineplex.

Since 2005, Cinemalaya has supported and promoted the production of Filipino full-feature independent films and short films, many of which have won awards in local and international competitions and festivals. This annual festival has showcased over 1,000 works by independent filmmakers, including full-feature films, shorts, documentaries, Filipino film classics, and art films.

For more information, visit the CCP website and the Cinemalaya website. You can also follow Cinemalaya on Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), and Instagram for updates.