Discoveries from Philippines World Cinema

The 1952 Lamberto Avellana film "Sa Paanan ng Nazareno" from LVN Pictures which depicts a story of a struggle and hope surrounding the image of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno of Quiapo.

A taxi driver is hired as a bodyguard for an heiress.

After a killer with garden shears attacks a group of science students during a trip to the woods, the lone survivor comes under suspicion by others at their university. Panic spreads as the killings and disappearances continue on campus.

"Pinilakang Tabingi" follows the journey of two best friends, Tupe and Tantan, who share a deep passion for Filipino cinema. Their anticipation for the sequel to their favorite film is challenged by financial constraints, leading them to purchase a pirated DVD copy. What unfolds is a heartfelt exploration of friendship, integrity, and the consequences of their actions.

Spunky and adventurous, Raida, heads off to Manila for two reasons: to visit her godmother, and to meet with Ariel, her pen pal. But strange things happen on her way to the big city.

The pandemic. A man. A tissue roll.

When teenage pregnancies alarm the principal of the high school where Mayette teaches biology, Mayette is tasked to incorporate sex education into her lesson. How can she teach her students about sex when, at 32, Mayette is still a virgin?

A trans woman mourns her lover’s inexplicable disappearance through ritual and performance across different spaces that tether her to both his presence and absence until grief becomes the only thing that feels real.

A 12 year-old boy learns to play traditional Filipino games through a new set of friends, who will show him that life and their games have many things in common.

A Mother Mary devotee starts to get haunted by the Virgin Mary herself — the evidence lies in the footage.

During the annual Division Math Olympiad, a 4th-year high school achiever, Andrew, faces his estranged relationship with his father as he tries to find the solution to the equation of a line.

Peter, a cute little boy who sells bread for his crippled mother meets Pete, an ex convict that wanted to have a new life.

The movie tells the story of Victor, who, since his first life in the year 1900, has spent more than a century falling in love with the same girl. He makes a promise to find her in every lifetime and love her once more.

Maximo (Roseller Kempis), a fatherless adolescent, who nurtures whimsical attraction with Joewel (Joeffrey Javier), a kanto boy who’s the object of affection of the neighborhood’s fledgling prepubescent gay boys. Maxin and his friends spy on the amused Joe even when he’s bathing. One day, Maxin gets word that Joe is holding a contest (a really ludicrous, albeit campy one involving “long hair” and money) and whoever wins gets to spend a night with Joe. But a gang war erupts and Joe finds himself running for cover – straight into Maxin’s house. Will Maxin find the courage to speak his mind? Will Joe be the accommodating Romeo?

Fight Batman Fight! is an unauthorized 1973 Filipino Batman action-fantasy film produced by Pacific Films (Philippines). It stars famous Philippine actors such as action star Victor Wood as Batman, Rod Navarro as Joker, comedians Roderick Paulate as Robin, German Moreno, Ike Lozada, drama actresses Gloria Romero, Rosemary Gil, Lotis Key as Cat Woman and Pinky Montilla as Bat Girl.

Anthony Alonzo and Vivian Velez in an explosive, sizzling action-packed true-to-life movie! See the story behind the Jones Bridge Massacre. Who really killed Efren "Boy" Amores?

A 1990 Filipino comedy film by Mike Relon Makiling.

When Juancho, a wealthy and powerful businessman, gets embroiled in a dangerous feud with a syndicate competitor, he ships Sui, his beautiful mistress, out to a secure, remote island where he holds meetings and monitors his drug operations via high-tech system of cameras. There, Sui meets Borgy, a mysterious bodyguard who, in reality, is an undercover cop sent to bring down the drug lord. Their constant contact eventually sparks a romantic attraction. Unknown to them, Juancho discovers their tryst via hidden cameras. Faced with an ultimatum, Sui must choose between Juancho, the millionaire, or Borgy, the bodyguard. Borgy, on the other hand, is torn between upholding his duty or risking his mission by helping someone he has fallen in love with. Together, they must find a way out of the island before Juancho hunts them down.

The high school multimedia club students aim to win Best Short Film in Cinemalaya Film Festival to avoid dissolution ordered by the school admin.

Lorna, a mother of two, just lost her husband, a fisherman one morning in a tragic sea accident. She was left with no choice but to raise her own family. In a town where women are regarded as inferior, she defies the odds by being the first woman “mangingisda” in order to feed her kids. Will she be able to rule out the ways of the sea? How long till’ the community accepts her defiance?"

Marge, a determined young woman from the province who breaks into the male-dominated BPO industry. As a symbol of innovation and empowerment, she returns to her roots to uplift her community by establishing her own BPO business. Alongside her partner Wil, Marge skillfully handles the challenges of entrepreneurship and societal expectations.

Tom and Ric are cousins who search for the Yamashita treasures when a map was given to them by Tom's professor. The map was also being chased by a group of Japanese who are also interested with the treasures. With Tom's and Ric's effort and with the professor helped, they were able to find the treasure even though they've faced challenges and difficult situations.

3 different individuals from the past, the present, and the future get trapped inside a room where they must work together to find their way out.

An avenging son is murdered while serving time inside prison.

Fernando (Ace Vergel), a homicidal killer with a bent childhood is quickly sought out by the police. In hiding, he poses as a bus driver for an all girls high school, as they make their way to a retreat for relaxation and self discovery. The murderer raises the body count with the class' fodder, while keeping his 'protective' eyes singled on Chiqui (Snooky Serna).

In a town on the brink of chaos, where the corrupt sport of cockfighting intertwines with political power, an aging gaffer embarks on a desperate search for his missing son. As the eruption of Taal Volcano looms, Migo uncovers a dark web of deceit, violence, and manipulation, forcing him to confront his complicity and the brutal truth he's been avoiding.

Against overwhelming odds, nine men fought like hell to uphold a glorious tradition of courage and heroism.

A young man’s quest for truth and justice interwines with a plane crash mystery, uncovering a sinister plot that propels his desire to be heard but also threatens his community.

A change in a farmer’s family life after the appearance of a politician who is very interested in the farmer’s land.

After studying in America, South Seas Prince Sigore returns home with plans to change things on his island. He's opposed by the sultan's sister-in-law, who has plans to control the paradise, and is infatuated with the Forbidden Women and their sensuous ways.

A man's revolution and amnesty.

A sequel to "Heremias Book One: The Legend of the Lizard Princess" (2006).

Short film about street kids.

Bella is about to meet her Italian boyfriend whom she met online. She seeks advice from her gay best friend on how to prepare for their first meeting in two weeks, but gets broken-hearted after finding out about her boyfriend's wife.

A comedy about two feuding families. Unable to cope, one family decides to move the America. Their plane crashes, depositing them on an island. The other family, however, become stranded on the same island when their boat crashes.

The death of Mariel was met with such hurt by her three closest friends. But it was her best friend, Carla that she leaves a most special gift, a box full of her diaries through the years. Carla has been Mariel’s friend since their high school years; they have practically shared everything in their lives together. Their two other girl friends, Sandra and Olive formed the quartet who would get together ever so often and served as a mutual support system. Despite warnings from Sandra and Olive not to read the diaries left behind by Mariel, Carla could not help herself to find out what was written on those volumes of handwritten materials. True enough, what she discovered completely shattered all her perceptions and beliefs of the friendship shared by the four women through the years.

A case of mistaken identity.

A boy facing expulsion from the university tries to uncover the myth of the Sperm Bridge to make ends meet.

Basketball star Benjie Paras and funny man Herbert Bautista play cousins Donato and Buknoy, star player and coach of the Brgy. Maligaya basketball team. The team needs to win the league championship to help their barangay.

A well-trained jungle fighter battles corrupt and self-serving authorities while waging war against a group of terrorists protected by and protecting authorities.

Filmmaker Mike De Leon released this short on the eve of the 1986 EDSA Revolt anniversary. During its 5 minutes, De Leon draws a harsh critique of the Philippine president, Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

In an empty corporate audition room, ex-mascot rivals James and Janet battle for a second shot at glory, spiraling into chaos as a series of absurd challenges dredge up their unresolved history. Meanwhile, a quiet third contender proceeds mostly unnoticed as the audition takes an increasingly disturbing turn.

A family of Lumad keeps their eldest daughter's 'adhikain' (aspirations) by immortalizing her into a myth, blurring the line between reality and folklore.

During their visit to the psychiatrist, Tonette was asked to evaluate her mentally ill partner, Jett, who is about to enter rehab. By doing so, she unexpectedly uncovers the truth about their dark eerie past.

A story about Orlando who was held captive by a vagrant group so that they would learn how to read. Eventually, he falls in love with the daughter of the group leader.

Three dark stories in tribute to the Master of Horror, Peque Gallaga.

The accidental shooting of a young boy's mother weaves a plot of drugs, prostitution, and murder. Spurned by his father and jailed for hiding his mother's shame, the boy emerges from the smoke and flame to avenge his mother's death with a RAGING VENDETTA.

A family struggles to rebuild and restore normalcy in their lives after a super typhoon washes away everything.

ENTHRALLING, BEWITCHING, AMAZING. The strange story of a beauty in soc-like balloon which flies, rolls, climbs.

A story about a police officer whose sister and mother got killed in a robbery, and seeks revenge on the killers.

A high school student with savant syndrome goes through the motions of life and friendship.