LIST: Cinemalaya 2025 full-length films line-up

Metro Manila, Philippines - The much-beloved indie film fest Cinemalaya returns this year with 10 full-length films from Filipino filmmakers who “dared to sail beyond the mainstream.”

The 21st edition of the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival presented the ten finalists on Wednesday, Sept. 3, just a month ahead of its run from Oct. 3 to 12.

Cinemalaya Foundation Inc. President Laurice Guillen said the film-making process for the entries took 20 months.

The 2025 finalists were announced during Cinemalaya 2024 closing ceremony. At that time, the finalists have finished screenplays.

For this year, the festival has the theme “Layag sa Alon, Hangin, at Unos.”

With the Cultural Center of the Philippines still under renovation, Cinemalaya found its main venue at the Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong City.

Here are the 10 full-length film entries in Cinemalaya 2025:

“Bloom Where You Are Planted” by Noni Abao

“Bloom Where You Are Planted” is a documentary that explores three land rights activists’ notions of home as they face what they called terror and red-tagging in Cagayan Valley.

“Child No. 82” by Tim Rone Villanueva

In this dramedy/fantasy feature, a 17-year-old high school student must prove that he is the 82nd child of Maximo Maniego Sr. to get close to the wake of the biggest action-fantasy movie star of Philippine cinema.

Vhong Navarro plays Maximo Maniego Sr. He is joined by Rochelle Pangilinan and Irma Adlawan.

“Cinemartyrs” by Sari Dalena

Angry spirits are awakened after a young filmmaker begins shooting at a site where 1,000 men, women, and children were massacred.

The cast includes Cedrick Juan, Angel Aquino, Lav Diaz, Kidlat Tahimik, and Soliman Cruz, among others.

“Habang Nilalamon Ng Hydra Ang Kasaysayan” by Dustin Celestino

In this existential drama, Dolly de Leon, Jojit Lorenzo, Zanjoe Marudo, and Mylene Dizon portray four Filipinos facing the challenge of disinformation on memory, truth, and history.

“Open Endings” by Nigel Santos

Viewers are expected to see a lot of fun and yearning in “Open Endings” as they follow four queer women in their early 30s (and exes-turned-bestfriends) navigating life and adulthood.

The film casted Janella Salvador, Klea Pineda, Leanne Mamonong, and Jasmine Curtis-Smith.

“Padamlagan” by Nigel Santos

Doring desperately searches for his missing son after the Colgante Bridge in Naga, Camarines Sur collapses during the fluvial procession for Our Lady of Peñafrancia. The deadly tragedy occurs just five days before the martial law proclamation.

Ely Buendia leads the “Padamlagan” cast.

“Paglilitis” by Cheska Marfori

In “Paglilitis,” a passionate lawyer convinces Jonalyn Samuel to finally file a sexual harassment complaint against her former boss, who is one of the biggest businessman in the country. But what happens after?

Cast members include Eula Valdez, Leo Martinez, Jackie Lou Blanco, and Sid Lucero.

“Raging” by Ryan Machado

Set in the mid-90s in Romblon, the young man Eli witnesses a plane crash mystery that would set him on a quest for truth and justice.

Elijah Canlas gives life to Eli in “Raging.”

“Republika Ng Pipolipinas” by Renei Dimla

The mockumentary follows a disillusioned farmer who renounces her Filipino citizenship and builds her micronation after being threatened with eviction in her own land.

Geraldine Villamil and Alessandra de Rossi lead the film’s cast.

“Warla” by Kevin Alambra

Nineteen-year-old transgender woman Kitkat finds her chosen family — a gang of sisters who kidnap foreign men to fund their gender-affirming surgeries. How will she confront this complication?

Jervi Wrightson, known as Kaladkaren, is this film’s top billing. The cast includes Lance Reblando, Serena Magiliw, Valeria Ortega, Jacky Woo, and Dimples Romana.

Short film finalists

Ten short feature films are also in competition.

+ “Ascension From The Office Cubicle” by Hannah Silvestre

+ “Figat” by Handiong Kapuno

+ “Hasang” by Daniel de la Cruz

+ “I’m Best Left Inside My Head” by Elian Idioma

+ “Kay Basta Angkarabo Yay Bagay Ibat Ha Langit” by Marie Estela Paiso

+ “Kung Tugnaw Ang Kaidalman Sang Lawod” by Seth Andrew Blanca

+ “Please Keep This Copy” by Miguel Lorenzo Peralta

+ “Radikals” by Arvin Belarmino

+ “The Next 24 Hours” by Carl Joseph Papa

+ “Water Sports” by Whammy Alcazaren