Every November, cinephiles look forward to the QCinema International Film Festival. Now on its 13th year, QCinema continues to bring the best of Philippine and world cinema across Quezon City. The 2025 edition is no different, with more than 80 films across nine sections and a short film program.
From international award winners to local gems, here are five must-watch titles screening at QCinema this year:
1. Hamnet
Hamnet traces William Shakespeare, his wife Agnes (better known to history buffs as Anne Hathaway), and the profound impact their son Hamnet has on both their work and lives. Directed by Academy Award winner Chloé Zhao (Nomadland), this historical drama has collected Audience Awards around the globe, including Toronto and London, with pundits predicting multiple Oscar nominations next year.
2. Call My Manager
QCinema premieres the first two episodes of this Philippine adaptation of the hit French series Dix pour cent (Call My Agent!), directed by Erik Matti. Starring Judy Ann Santos and Edu Manzano, Call My Manager follows talent handlers navigating the wild world of local celebrities and showbiz egos. Like the French original, each episode is expected to feature a Filipino star playing an exaggerated version of themselves.
3. Sirāt
A pulse-pounding, EDM-infused dramatic thriller, this Spanish-French co-production follows a father scouring the sands of Morocco for his daughter, who went missing after a desert rave. Fresh off a Jury Prize win at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, it’s also Spain’s official submission for Best International Feature at the Oscars.
4. Human Resource
From acclaimed Thai director Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit, Human Resource tells the story of Fren, a newly pregnant HR officer working at a morally questionable corporation. As she interviews applicants, she grapples with existential questions about work, personal value, and the challenge of bringing a child into today’s uncertain world. The film took home an award at the Venice Film Festival earlier this year.
5. Rental Family
Brendan Fraser stars in the Japanese–American dramedy Rental Family as a struggling American actor in Tokyo who takes a gig at a “rental family” agency — a firm that hires stand-ins to pose as relatives for clients. As the line between reality and performance blurs, Phillip (Fraser) finds himself getting emotionally entangled. This tear-jerking dramedy has won several awards at film festivals across the United States.
This is just a small sampling of what you can watch at QCinema this year. With over 80 features and short films in the lineup — including a spotlight on German actress Sandra Hüller and a Dokyu Days section showcasing some of the year’s most essential documentaries — there’s sure to be a screening for every kind of cinephile.
The QCinema International Film Festival runs from November 17 to 23, with screenings in Gateway, Trinoma, Eastwood, Galleria, and other participating cinemas. For the full program, schedule and ticket information, visit qcinema.ph.