Discoveries from Philippines World Cinema

Celo, a socially anxious introvert who can only speak to non-living things, develops a crush on his classmate, Koleen. To approach the girl of his dreams, he attempts to overcome his mutism.

Below the flickering lights; surviving through the ups and downs of life. The short documentary film revolves around the story of a young vendor who caught light from a viral Facebook post. The embodiment of perseverance, hard work, and excellence. Take a peek beyond the lens and view the life of a youngster who exudes resilience amidst all the problems life has to offer.

As the fishbone gets stuck on her friend's throat, 7-year old Eugene sets out different ways to find whether her newly-found power will work to save the day.

Ismael, a pureblooded Badjao, hailed from a coastal area in Zamboanga City. However, their lives were gradually destroyed and uprooted due to the greed of powerful individuals aiming to seize their territory. Forced to flee, Ismael and his mother and siblings relocated to an unfamiliar place, uncertain of what the future held for them. Despite their displacement, Ismael held onto hope that one day they could return to their homeland, where he believed remnants of their former life still lingered.

Though a girl scout, Maria wasn’t fond of nature. On a trip to the mystical mountains of Makiling, a small mistake drew the attention of the mountain’s guardians, revealing to her the far-reaching impact of pollution.

Alejandro, a father struggling to find employment in the tumultuous 1970s, begins to unravel as he becomes fixated on bringing order to what he sees as a chaotic family. Alejandro's behavior becomes increasingly erratic, leading those around him to question his sanity.

Art developed a severe social withdrawal after the untimely death of his mother. After two years, with hopes that things will get better, he finally got enough courage to visit his mother’s gravesite. From there, he meets an uncanny woman named Lady. Little did Art know that his encounter with Lady will leave an immense impact into his life forever.

This video is a series of short 2D animated clips that explores the fragility of thoughts and feelings. It deals with the anxiety and overthinking, the dependence and constant blaming, and the deceits masked by flowered words. While it mostly focuses on the negative, it also shows hints of rebuilding hope. But whether to take action with these feelings is left to be pondered on.

Victim of collateral damage to the Marawi Siege, Ahmad, a 17-year-old boy, is forced to leave his hometown and finds himself relocated to another city, under the care of his aunt. With past horrors and trauma, Ahmad is left struggling as he adjusts to the new environment that he is in.

When a brownout disrupts their digital routine, Ta and Rina are forced to confront each other as buried tensions in their relationship come to light.

A young priest meets a hot guy from Grindr.

A young man memorizes Panatang Makabayan in preparation for their school’s flag ceremony. Speeches of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte overlaps.

Coming soon. 202?.

In hopes of being famous, Kath auditions for an upcoming film. She lands the role of Lucca, a sex worker struggling with drug addiction. Not expecting the challenges of such a role, Kath goes to extreme lengths to bring Lucca to life. To what extent is she willing to go through in achieving her lifelong dream?

After his father is killed and accused of carrying illegal drugs, he retraces his father's last steps to find justice.

After Typhoon Pablo struck a barangay in New Bataan, Compostela Valley, a father was separated from his only daughter. Whether alive or dead, the father is determined to find his daughter's body to the very end.

Two young siblings try to survive on the streets by selling roasted peanuts and saving to meet their daily quota, until an unexpected turn of events changes their lives.

In a notorious street in Manila characterised by forgery and petty crimes, an artist revels in the chaos that shapes what he calls home. Having been around Recto for most of his life, Levy is shaped by the culture, and in turn, his work is derived from it. In his humble workspace at the heart of the Central Market, he thrives with the help of his wife who facilitates the transactions between him and clients. For Levy, what matters is the kind of legacy he leaves: to be remembered not by his clients or his peers, but by the grandkids he spends time with – so that he can hang a portrait that can never be replicated.

Zo, an 18-year-old student-athlete, consumed by his obsession to become the greatest sprinter, turns to performance-enhancing drugs to achieve his dream.

When Owen comes home from his monotonous job exhausted, he reminisces on his old friend, Basilio, who once sparked a fiery passion in his life.

In a dystopian Philippines where people breathe through a bio-helmet, an oxygen concentrator that takes air from plants, a young man embarks on a journey for the promise of a better life.

A Pastor leads a counseling session with a young gentleman.

Troubled by his fear of water, Sina secretly faces the mysterious river in their town by himself. However, things go awry when the spirits of an old folktale emerge in the water.

Living alone in her apartment, a young adult named Senya has been feeling an unknown presence lurking in the dark watching her. Conflicted with her want for justice and moving on from her mother's death, the entity’s presence grows ominous.

A documentary film about an old man handing out free 200 books a day through his initiative "Reading Club 2000", determined to bring back the joy of reading in a world lost to screens.

The first Filipino silent, horror and science fiction movie. From the imagination of Khavn.

A mother and her son afflicted with polio share the same goal: to do what's best for the family's youngest by ensuring he completes his routine polio vaccination. As they deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and regrets from the past, mother and son attempt to reconnect and understand each other.

A strict mother superior's world unravels as she uncovers shocking connections between herself and a troubled novice.

Maria, a college student who came from a modern indigenous family and a daughter of a tribal chieftain. Though influenced by the modern norms and away from poverty, her family still holds a rank among their tribe. Maria’s ill experiences as a minority made her contemplate disowning her heritage as she constantly encounters discrimination. Her perspective shifts when she crosses paths with Junjun, a rickshaw driver and who happens to be Maria’s schoolmate who, despite being mute, possesses a keen ability to listen and a resilient optimism.

Two imaginative nine-year-old boys, Dong and Carlos, embark on a journey to build a flying car, navigating through adversity and friendship to reach the sky.

Seferina, a devoted prayer leader, grapples with the complex choices between her responsibilities and personal aspirations, carrying a sense of sadness that shapes her path toward self-discovery.

A documentary that unravels a one-of-a-kind love story involving Ariel also known as Ella, who identifies as transwoman-gay and, her lesbian partner, Dianna. They both fell in love and had a son, for whom they would give anything. With their family’s consecutive celebrations starting from the birth of their son, the two decided to level up their relationship through a Kasalang Bayan on June 15, 2024, at Manila Cathedral - Basilica.

Agent Banjo and his brother Marko go undercover to infiltrate an organized crime syndicate. As they gain the syndicate's trust, a series of events lead to uncovering their true identity.

Bugoy helps his parents in their business, which is a sari-sari store, to provide the needs of their family and for his brother who is sick. He also delivers breads his parents made for customers using his bicycle.

In the eyes of a new civilization, choices are often perceived as being determined by blindly following the inducing mechanisms of money and power.

Luis and Lorenz, two troubled yet ambitious high school filmmakers, embark on an audacious journey to create an independent short film. Driven by a shared passion for cinema, their friendship is put to the test as they navigate the chaotic yet comical process of filmmaking.

Three brothers deal with grief after the death of their mother. The eldest brother crosses the sea to retrieve her ashes, while the middle brother works to buy a vase and informs their youngest sibling who remains unaware.

A local barbershop will be closing soon after serving for 28 years. Rey, the barber, has decided to open his shop for one last time. His last day will reveal his true purpose in life.

Narrated by Katch23.

a film by Eulan Mallari

A film by Nicole Matti

A film by Gaby Marcial

After a fleeting transgression, a young couple finds themselves expecting a baby, and before getting married, they must deal with their outrageous families. (A Musical Theater Play)

Kaye's journey of relentless optimism unfolds, and the weight of each okay lang begins to wear on her.

A young woman trapped in an arranged marriage seeks solace by a mysterious river, where she encounters a beguiling, enchanted woman who encourages her to defy her tyrannical father, leading to a chilling revelation about the river's curse and her own strength.

Lets leave it all behind. Just for a little bit.

Filipino horror anthology from 1960.

Zanjera Macupit is one of the oldest traditional communal irrigation systems in the town of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte. Many problems in agriculture challenge their organization such as the lack of adequate irrigation in the canals. How can a small farmers' organization like Zanjera Macupit overcome such challenges?

A man wakes up to find that his lover is no longer in bed with him. Chaos ensues shortly after.

THIS IS A SEX-DRAMA FROM THE DIRECTOR WHO STARTED THE "WET LOOK".

In one boring summer, can a driving lesson help Ed connect with his physically present but emotionally distant teenage son Jude?

Newly crowned Miss KNL, Nadine, unexpectedly reunited with her younger brother at a convenience store, after she ran away from home. She walks her brother home, only to find out it is the last time.

A female praying mantis faces a moral dilemma when considering a romantic involvement with a playful male who, surprisingly, is aiding her in finding another mate instead of him.

After the EDSA People Power Revolution, two unnamed male lovers meet in a particular room reminiscing about their lives after one of them was taken away by armed men during the Philippines’ Martial Law period. The disappeared talks of violence and life under captivity, while the other one talks of his life waiting and searching. The story unfolds towards their decisions on how they’d like to pursue their relationship given the circumstances, hopefully towards a more peaceful time together again.

Sakaling Mahirapan Ka (In Case You Have A Hard Time) is a story of realization and hope through the challenges that we are experiencing in life. Angela, a high school girl, is living with her solo dad who is a street vendor. During the pandemic, they faced personal problems that challenge their relationship together.

Aetas and their struggle for education

Barrio lass (Nora) falls in love with a rich guy (Tirso). He married her despite the objection of his Mom (Rosa Mia). He died & his twin brother presented Nora as a caregiver to take care of his mother. Secret was revealed & after some dramatic fireworks, Guy & Pip had a happy ending.

A boy's life is forever altered when a military attack on his home killed both his parents. he relieves the trauma and is forced to continue living alone in a foreign place.