Discoveries from Philippines World Cinema

Ethan has been in love with his best friend, Andrea. Will he finally be able to admit his true feelings?

Amid long hours and low wages, a street vendor clings to faith as her only constant—because in a world that overlooks her, belief is what keeps her going.

A short thesis film by Jillian Santiago.

Four classmates learn of an urban legend about their school and try to debunk it but the story turns out to be more than just a myth. The beginning ends and the end begins.

Amidst the tension and weight felt by a young woman seeking for grace and a means to survive with her sibling, will she ever witness the glow of colors if all her eyes perceive is not a rainbow?

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Julia, a young woman lost in her city, witnesses the rise and fall of various versions of her home. As the lines blur between truth and fabrication, she must navigate the fragmented pieces of her existence to find a sense of belonging and understand the truth about her home.

Is prosperity a curse for them? According to legend, it is believed that the town of Bay, Laguna was cursed. This is said to be the reason why the area experiences the scourge of calamities such as strong typhoons and severe flooding. Because of this, the government is making projects to prevent these disasters. But what if the government's solution is a deluge brought to the people?

Poy, who is a farmer's son, looks back on happy memories with his father to see the grain of life again. From the promises behind the bag of rice, is the cry of anger from the heart of the one at the bottom.

A friend choked and went fifty-fifty. Girl asks an unknowing Boy to help her replace the missing fish from her store. The two reevaluate their friendship as they wait for the hospital’s call.

Daluyong ng Ingay (Waves of Noise) is an experimental film that immerses the audience to the tragedy that is unfolding in Gaza. Making use of noises made for Palestine and images of water from the Philippines, the filmmaker poetically draws a connection between both countries as we bear witness to a reality that is not too unfamiliar to us.

Two orphaned siblings try to fulfill the short “bucket list” they made together before one of them dies.

a film by Manuel Velazquez

A film by Jude Lim

When a sudden blackout envelops their village one night, two young friends start talking about the chilling legend of a mythical creature believed to haunt their farmlands, oblivious to the danger and tragedy they are about to face.

When a pregnant couple finds themselves at odds over their unborn son's name, tensions escalate as the girl insists on naming him after her dead mother, while the guy eagerly advocates for a biblical moniker.

A young man who had just got recovered from an accident encountered someone who made him feel at peace, but he had no idea that this would cause him to become confused about his entire existence, including his sexuality.

An Architecture student struggling with her degree program results in her jumping into universes where she took various programs and life paths.

Already living below the poverty line, Nenita's family struggles even more as her father loses his job and his willingness to talk. The young girl suspects that her father sold his tongue to the devil.

After being appointed as the new team captain of his school's football team, senior student-athlete Buknoy faces mounting pressures as he navigates the responsibilities of leadership. Struggling to balance personal challenges with the demands of his role, Buknoy's journey unfolds amidst the pursuit of team goals and the clash of values. When the weight of expectations becomes too heavy, Buknoy must confront his own principles and make a difficult decision that will shape his future

The youngest of two brothers has to accept independence now that their mom has left to work abroad.

Using a mini spy camera, a young Filipina filmmaker collects archived videos and photos of her memories with her loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is inspired by the 2019 book written by Chris Helzer entitled A Field Guide to Roadside Wildflowers at Full Speed.

Josh is a young 9 year old child who is very close to his mute and single mother Vinkie. It is seen that Josh likes to help his mother by doing various chores around the house, despite not knowing much how to do it properly. Mama Vinkie however, just lets Josh help in any way that he can, though Mama Vinkie almost always cleans up after josh tries to ‘help’.

A ballet teacher and her star student’s night is ruined by cursed red shoes that force the wearer to dance to their doom.

A concert documentary film about the Kaguluhan Music Festival; A Cavite based Pinoy rock and metal music event.

Isang araw isang buhay: Directed by Leroy Salvador. With Rudy Fernandez, Elizabeth Oropesa, Alma Moreno, Daria Ramirez.

A short and raw narrative film entry to CineAnimo 7 (2023)

Poverty pushes couple Sandy and Jaime to join their affluent acquaintances in their circle called the Kaliwat ng Sigbin. As soon as they become members, their lives quickly become filled with success and fortune. Little do they know that their luck comes with a heavy price.

When Mila's grandmother starts to act strange, she is torn if her Lola Salve has dementia or is suffering from demonic possession for her grandmother always says that a person close to God is more likely to be challenged by the devil.

About a Filipino businessman who holds a Chinese-themed restaurant by his generation who suffered a financial loss in the present. As much as he wants to revive it, inflation has risen in the Philippines. The character's lost hope returns as he thinks of a more sustainable solution for him, and by that, his business starts to run smoothly and grows more and more.

A micro-documentary film focused on planting native trees for climate resilience and biodiversity conservation. The film discusses how planting native trees, while limited, is an important nature-based solution for mitigating the climate crisis.

Director: Junn P. Cabreira Stars: Sheila Ysrael, Via Veloso, Roger Andecial, Jojo Bernabe, Winnie Cordero, Philip Estrada, Jaime Fabregas, Art Gabay, Vic Gabion, Emilio Garcia, Patrick Guzman, Robin Madredano, Edwin Ortega, Ariel Reyes, Nonong Talbo

A POOR MAN CHAMPIONS THE CAUSE OF LAND REFORM FOR THE PEOPLE OF ISLA PIUING BATO IN TONDO, MANILA. A POOR MAN CHAMPIONS THE CAUSE OF LAND REFORM FOR THE PEOPLE OF ISLA PIUING BATO IN TONDO, MANILA. A POOR MAN CHAMPIONS THE CAUSE OF LAND REFORM FOR THE PEOPLE OF ISLA PIUING BATO IN TONDO, MANILA.

Lt. Madarang: Iginuhit sa dugo · Director. Pepe Marcos

a man talks to the sun

an elegiac rumination on loss of memory. The filmmaker reflects on the experience of seeing his grandmother gradually lose her memory over time by weaving across archives and footages, utilizing the film as a medium for recollections even when they are at their most unsalvageable.

After a long day at work, Sunny decides to stop by a park and take a breather. She takes a look at her wallet and comes to understand that she is far from liquid by the looks of a dropped coin and a ripped bill. Suddenly, something drops from the sky. To her surprise, money is falling. A miracle so timely brings the highest of joys to her current being. This miracle does not last so long however as she is suddenly hit by a huge cluster of money which transports her to reality.

Out of desperation, Carlos, a victim of a corrupt and violent demolition, invades a stranger's home to steal and loot for his family.

A young man angrily tells his deceased mother to rest in peace when the mother was only telling him how to do things right.

Two unemployed fresh graduates living together in a house apartment for years, both stuck in debts, unemployment, and the Philippine government crisis, discovers the harsh reality through the urgency of a deprived landlady.

Migo and his family are new settlers in the area. He then tries to maintain his newfound friendship with Ami despite having different languages.

Experimentation and documentation of two spaces, the indoor and the outdoor, in an attempt to present a journey of reconnection and recollection during the pandemic through static images.

Two castaways sailing their way back home struggle to survive until they find a treasure that will test their friendship.

A teacher accidentally picked up a skeleton with a curse in the school yard.

When their paths cross in a river, something sparked between Teresa and Maria. They share conversations about the talk of the town, a golden ghost ship that passes through the very river they are in. Filled with her naivety and innocence, Teresa wonders. As she uncovers the mysteries hidden in the golden ship narrative, will she be able to accept them?

A mother grieves for her son and husband. She is doing her best to overcome her depression but succumbs to madness.

Lea, who is in a disadvantaged state, wishes for better things with her sibling, which leads to their demise.

A teenager boy plans to escape from his small town to confront his growing existential crisis as love is being challenged.

Somewhere in Manila in 2016, there is a pitch-black secret jail. Locked and beaten by the police, two strangers had an existential conversation about their alternate lives. One thing for sure: No eyes and justice can see through it. No hope and justice can save them.

It has been said that a fighter fights for himself but a warrior fights for his people. Three Filipino warriors fought against the oppression of the Spanish regime in the late 19th century. They come from different backgrounds- a man from a line of chieftains conquered centuries ago; a woman with the conqueror’s blood in her veins rejected by her family of privilege; and a young man from a land across the sea fighting for his new home. Now the three find themselves in a new time. A time where the Philippines is a free nation. A time when the Philippines is as enslaved as ever. Their eyes have seen oppression. They still see it and they act in the only way they can. They fight.

A story about a woman whose family received backpay due to her father being enlisted in World War 2 and a man who is a music instructor.

A teenage girl found herself in an apocalyptic situation, lock in her house alone. As she keep herself alive, she encountered all her inner demons.

Farewell, to all I love. To die is to rest, writes Jose Rizal, and where his poem ends, "Ultimo" begins. It is a black-and-white silent film, with scenes from the director's meanderings in La Palma (Canary Islands, Spain) inspired by Rizal's poem, which was written a day before the hero's execution in 1896. It explores identity and nationhood as viewed through a post-colonial lens.

Nina is a little girl suppressing her anger towards her bullies by using art- but how will her revenge turn out when she has a zombie for a friend?

In Billy's world, silence speaks louder than words. How will he tell his utmost secret to his loved ones?