Discoveries from Philippines World Cinema

Sometime in the early 70s, Gloria went through several sleepless nights because of the frequent pestering of a creature often only regarded as myth, a duwende, which stalked her wherever she went.

Originally exhibited as a six-channel installation, this ongoing work is comprised of a series of studies of the migration of birds in and out of the Philippines, a kindred project to a feature-length film inspired by memories of my father’s migration to the United States in the early 2000s. Birds, and ducks in particular, are like role models for humans— they find ways to survive by various means across varied terrain. I hope to bring together a mix of local birds and migratory ones, migrating across different generations of moving image media.

Doktor de Motor tells the story of Doctor Lionel Peters and the community he serves —the isolated and impoverished municipality of Agutaya, Palawan.

“Budots” has swept the entire nation by storm. But the dance craze that has people move around in uncoordinated, freestyle dance to a weird mix of electronic sound and noises, originated in Davao City in Southern Philippines before it got viral in the Internet and social media. An internet bum and a small group of people in his community started it all.

After acquiring superpowers by shaking an extremely handsome eggplant, a costumed vigilante combats crime in a span of six months.

Three months after a painful breakup, a woman's despair magically conjures up a powerful typhoon.

A boy encounters many struggles in life, like bullying, his parent's separation and trouble in school, but he still forces a smile to get by each day.

Philippines, 2023. On his way home to celebrate his daughter's birthday, Jocy, a security guard, encounters strange experiences similar to what he encountered in his recent nightmare.

Focuses on Norma Agaid-Mina, a weaver of Tingguian textiles from Penarrubia, Abra all her life. This documentary holds ups to the light, the expressive fibers of Tingguian culture, as well as strength and resilience of the weavers who make this into a tapestry of life.

Parisukat [Square] is a murder-mystery, a whodunnit tale of a gay serial killer in a creepy house. Aside from the tale of carnage, there are also carnal episodes among the actors.

Manila Scream Expanded combines three recent short films by Philippine underground filmmaker Roxlee: Manila Scream, Yours Trolley, and Slicing Art. The film and its maker and protagonist take us on an idiosyncratic journey through the streets of Manila.

Paraiso, an all-seeing drone spirit, is summoned every Sunday into the heart of Hong Kong where Filipina migrant workers gather to socialise. As the women claim the public space, Stephanie Comilang’s sci-fi documentary considers social connections in today’s age of economic migration and modern technology.

An ordinary man blessed with the uncanny gift of breeding, raising, and fighting gamecocks. He gets caught up in the gambling part of the sport and loses everything. He has one chance left to prove to himself and his family and friends that he is a winner and not a bum. He changes his life and attempts to put everything back in order by winning the World Slasher Cup International Derby at Araneta Coliseum. Will he succeed?

Roel Cabato, a Baguio-based Ilocano-Ifugao artist-environmentalist who creates artwork from rummaged materials and showcases them in his home and art space, Hanan’chi. Through his creations, he conveys his spiritual connection with his Ifugao background, as well as his campaign for environmentalism and recycling.

This film follows the story of young orphaned woman of the slums. Although she is given a chance to improve her life, she stumbles into a series of misfortunes, enslaving herself in the company of characters in the underworld. Teetering on the brink of self-destruction, a ray of hope offers her redemption.

The story of a father and daughter's desperate struggle to survive the ravages of the Vietnam war.

Short film about the sons of the director.

Official entry to the first Metro Manila Film Festival in 1982 directed by Diego Cagahastian and starred Mohamad Faizal, Rhoy Flores, Rex Lapid, Charlie Davao, Philip Gamboa, Laarni Enriquez, Paquito Diaz, Romy Diaz, Dick Israel, Tony Carrion, Joaquin Fajardo, Willy Dado, Amay Bisaya, and Max Alvarado.

Official entry to the first Metro Manila Film Festival in 1976 directed by Elwood Perez & Joey Gosiengfiao and starred Amalia Fuentes, Romeo Vasquez, Eddie Gutierrez, Vivian Velez, Rosemarie Gil, Ike Lozada, Inday Badiday, Cloyd Robinson, Lilian Laing, and Sandy Garcia.

“Bingat” documents the archeological diggings in a remote barrio. It unearths the individual and collective recollections of archeologists and the local residents of Cabanatuan, Quezon. Its intertwining tales become a tapestry of relentless socio-cultural and historical amnesia.

A bittersweet tale of the life of Happy, the dog. It tells the story of his daily struggles through a series of unfortunate events as he searches for the true meaning of happiness through the family that adopted him.

In order to find inspiration for his new movie, a gay director manipulates the lives of his two houseboys. He invites their loved ones into how home, pushing them into a game of betrayal and infidelity.

a 30-minute short film about meeting someone new and falling in love. Deeply depressed and heartbroken, Marvin is forced by his brother to use a love potion so that his aching heart would be cured. While dining at a dumpling stall, 'Siomai Sa Tisa' (Siomai Of Tisa), he meets a pretty nursing student. After having a short conversation, he feels mysteriously drawn to her so he tries to use the love potion to win her heart. Will the love potion work, or will their love take its course even without it?

A silent film about the journey of an Alien in search for its identity and a safe haven.

An editorial cartoon-like satire of a truth-seeking journalist up against a crooked politician and his private army. Like Pinocchio's nose, the newsman's pencil acts as a barometer of the lies being fed by the unfinching politico, as they play a game of cat vs. mouse, truth vs. lies.

Opon + Pasil + Tres + Echavez + Naval + Ormoc + Valencia. It’s Saturday and it’s black.

An animate poem about a Filipino night fisherman. From the dual language Tagalog/English book 'Buhay Sa Angono/Life in Angono'.

During a lively fiesta-style family lunch, the last serving of turon, the family’s favorite dessert, sits in the center of the table. The siblings hesitate, each pretending to offer it to the others. Polite smiles give way to small jabs about favoritism and past grudges. Hands hover over the dessert, eyes dart from one sibling to another, and tension rises. Just as one reaches for the last bite, another moves their hand. The spoon hovers, and the question lingers—who gets the last bite?

A retelling of the beloved Filipino folktale the Monkey and the Turtle, where we follow the misadventures of the monkey as he tries to destroy the life of his once best friend, the turtle because of envy and spite.

The inspiring path of a Mamanwa graduate and a young tribe member who embrace Quality Education, seeking community development while preserving cultural roots.

A Von Viernes short film.

Love is a drug, a fake one sometimes..

Centered around the diminishing trade of the Mananguete, the story unfolds against the backdrop of Nilo’s encroaching memory loss, a devoted father, racing against time to carve out a brighter future for his son.

Maleldo is a holy weekend during which the Stations of the Cross are held every year. In the Philippine province of Pampanga, it is not only the faithful waiting to be crucified who gather, but also onlookers who eagerly capture the bloody tradition on their mobile phones and cameras. The documentary collage connects the Christian symbolism of sin, guilt, and punishment with the voyeurism of the social media era.

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A woman talks to her missing father through a wind phone.

A boy looks into a magical microscope and discovers a world of strange creatures. Upon seeing the boy's huge eye, the creatures begin to worship him. An ambitious evil emperor oppresses and forces the other creatures to build a tower so that he can get hold of the eye.

Mia is an internet celebrity followed by a lot of people. Unfortunately, there came an instance when she unintentionally made a move that triggered a horrible experience.

The film follows the story of a young girl named Isang on her first day of menstruation.

Gian and Rona are a troubled couple disturbed by a recent tragedy. They decide to visit a beach house where their relationship started hoping to start anew by recapturing long lost happiness that they once had.

A curious cosplayer becomes infatuated with Jhonson, a popular author, motivational speaker and heartthrob who had a big secret guarded by his close circle of friends. Out to find out the real character of Johnson, she enters his life to find out that Jhonson's big secret was his allergy to sex. Already smitten in love, they search for methods to find a cure to his odd diagnosis. Their journey takes them to mundane situations. Will they be able to find his cure or will they abstain to avoid death?

Drunken customers of a small bar end up fighting over a song in the karaoke machine.

In a town where friars lord it over the laymen and peasants, trust is a foreign word. As the townspeople prepare a despedida for the dismissed Mayor, suspicions arise, unraveling secrets that could change the course of their history.

A gifted but misunderstood boy faces ridicule for being different and learns to embrace his unique perspective in a world that often refuses to listen.

A timid student gathers the courage to confess his feelings to the most admired boy in school - with help from his two chaotic best friends.

A 12th-grade couple faces problems navigating their individual futures as graduation slowly approaches. What happens when the two are forced to face their relationship as they are assigned to work on a film as writer and director?

When a hidden secret shows up, a talented and well-supported Clyden and his ordinary childhood friend Naya must decide whether to uncover the past or leave it hidden. In choosing, they discover their "BAHANDI"—the unique worth and talent each of them was born with.

When 19-year-old Rosemary is the last to see a young boy before he disappears, she finds herself alongside his grieving mother, Agnes, in search of him. In the stillness of their shared days, they are drawn to confront their unspoken grief and forgotten dreams.

Two former best friends confront each other when one is overtaken by a digital virus that transforms him into something eerily pleasant and inhuman, while the other stubbornly refuses the help of the infected.

When Rumi unexpectedly sees her ex-boyfriend, Nate, an unresolved confrontation spirals into a chilling revelation, forcing her to confront a truth far more terrifying than heartbreak.

Dambuhalang Panganib sa Pakil plunges into the soul of Pakil, Laguna, a small town where the sacred, centuries-old Turumba Festival comes alive. But as the Ahunan Dam project casts a shadow over the locals’ way of life, the community rises in resistance. This documentary captures the Pakileños’ fight to defend not just their environment, but their culture, faith, and future.

While selling balut at wakes to save for his return to school, Amar encounters a mysterious local folklore.

A tricycle driver contemplates the past, present, and future of his hometown amidst the tidal floods.

A shy landscape architecture student creates a connection with a classmate through cigarette breaks, until the habit that brings them closer begins to take a toll on his body.

In the highlands of Bukidnon, the Talaandig people share how their life, culture, and identity are tied to the soil. Guided by Magbabaya and protected by Talabugta, they show how the land shapes their values, traditions, and daily living. The film follows their stories and reveals how the soil remains a source of strength and identity as they face the changes of modern life. For the Talaandig, the land is more than a resource. It is home and history.

A queer lost in the woods gets to see their past lives as they encounter an old water vase.

Nico, a closeted queer 3rd year architecture-student-athlete must navigate between living up to his strict father's expectations and living as his true self, guided by the presences of a spiritual Anggitay.

A reserved college student finds solace in famous movie star, Will Winston, as her increasing fixation on him overshadows her priorities and blurs the boundaries between reality and fantasy.

A young woman dismisses the legend of a cursed song she loves to sing—until one haunting event forces her to face the chilling truth behind it.