MANILA, Philippines — The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival has officially unveiled its lineup of films from emerging and established Filipino filmmakers competing in its 22nd edition.
This year’s festival will feature nine full-length films and 10 short films when Cinemalaya returns from Aug. 6 to 18. Screenings will be held at Red Carpet Cinemas in Shangri-La Plaza, Gateway Cineplex and Ayala Malls Cinemas.
Carrying the theme “Cinemalaya 22: Reel Reflections,” this year’s festival celebrates films that “emerge from reflection — bringing forth voices, perspectives, and experiences that deepen our understanding of ourselves and one another.”
Among the entries is “2 Valid IDs,” directed by Ma-an Asuncion-Dagñalan from a screenplay by Abet Pagdagdagan Raz. It stars Pokwang, Meryll Soriano, Joey Marquez and Zaijian Jaranilla. The social drama follows a poor farmer who cannot claim a remittance because she lacks two valid IDs, putting her character, beliefs and morality to the test.
Meanwhile, Ruru Madrid and Iza Calzado headline “Hand of God,” a sports drama directed by Mark Duane Angos and set in a remote village in the Southern Philippines. They are joined by Ronnie Lazaro, Sue Ramirez, KD Omalin, Jhong Hilario, among others. The film follows a child soldier in a community scarred by conflict who finds refuge in football and must choose between the path laid out by war and a future of his own.
Also joining the competition is “Mag-iina,” a horror film directed by Giancarlo Abrahan from a screenplay by Guelan Varela-Luarca. Among its cast members are Janine Gutierrez, Lucas Andalio, Cherry Pie Picache, Agot Isidro, Ness Roque, Jackie Lou Blanco and Bart Guingona. The film follows a woman who returns to her ancestral home near the 40th day of her estranged father’s death, where three generations of women are bound by grief, madness and evil “thicker than blood.”
The remaining entries span various genres, including black comedy, social satire, coming-of-age drama, family comedy and thriller, highlighting the breadth and diversity of contemporary Philippine independent cinema.
“A.ni.mál” by Dustin Celestino stars, among others, Maxine Ignacio, Frances Makil-Ignacio, Jojit Lorenzo, Bituin Escalante. The film centers on the daughter of a mayor in a provincial town who returns home with a video showing a powerful family friend abusing his dog.
“Ganggang” by JL Burgos stars Raine dela Cruz, Kenneth “Butchoy” Vincent Mendoza, Don Rishmond Cerbito, Prince España, Brian Arda, among others. It tells the story of three boys who form an unlikely friendship as they search for a fighting spider strong enough to challenge the school bully’s spider, but their quest puts their bond to the test.
“Kaka sa Yawan” by Alpha Habon features Beaver Magtalas, Bryce Nicolo Mercader, Dennis Dato, Noelle Polack, Nikki Valdez, Luis Alandy, Karl Medina, Queenay Mercado, Deanne Bautista and Benedix Ramos. The coming-of-age drama follows the friendship between Niko, a Manila boy, and Ayan, a Tadyawan-Mangyan, during one summer in Mindoro. Years later, an adult Niko returns to fulfill a promise.
“Status: Rejected” by Vahn Leinard Pascual stars Ruby Ruiz, Alessandra de Rossi, Beverly Salviejo, among others. It follows a grandmother longing for love and a better life who is swept into an online romance that challenges her sense of worth, her family and the dreams she refuses to abandon.
“Tayo Lang ang Nakakaalam” by David Corpuz stars Martin del Rosario, Miguel Odron, Yayo Aguila, Epy Quizon, etc. Bound by a love kept in silence, a man struggles to remain seen within a family that once made him feel at home.
“Tirik” by May-i Guia Padilla features, among others, Rocco Nacino, Floyd Tena, Chai Fonacier, Jess Mendoza. It follows a priest and his parishioner, a taxi driver, as they confront their moral conflicts while trying to evade an assassination attempt.
Competing in the short-film category are “Elenita Elena Elaine” by Gabriela Serrano, “Honey, My Love, So Sweet” by JT Trinidad, “Hoy, Hoy, Ingat!” by Norvin de los Santos, “kung paano kakalas” by Joseph Vitali, “Para-Paraan” by Mae Chan Li, “Runo!” by Lysa Catolico and Jazmine Gin Pateña, “Silkscreen” by Rey Anthony Villaverde, “Sorbetes” by Jennissie Gilbuena, “The Keeper” by Nolan Rae Fabular and TRNZ, and “The River Flows in Different Places” by Lot-Lot Hermosura.
