The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
by Boy Villasanta
With a merry and thought-provoking press conference held Wednesday noon at the Shangri-La Grand Atrium, the hierarchy of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the 2026 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival announced that the most awaited film event of the year will kick off on August 6, 2026 during its opening at the cinemas of the Red Carpet of the Shangri-La Mall in Mandaluyong City.
CCP Vice President and Artistic Director Dennis Marasigan hosted the star-studded presscon that informed a lot of interesting insights, facts and figures about the annual fiesta of independent films.
A collaboration among stakeholders in holding Cinemalaya, primarily with CCP and the Shangri-La Mall, Shangri-La Plaza Corporation’s Head of Operations Mary Anne Therese B. Dumayaca thanked the Cinemalaya and CCP hierarchy for the trust given to them to be the venue of the special event.CCP President Kaye Tinga spoke of the many challenges Cinemalaya and the CCP as partners have endured but still, the moving images of independent films are reflective of our times.
Cinemalaya Foundation President Laurice Guillen likened Cinemalaya “to a reunion where people in various places like lobbies of cafes would meet before the screening begins, before the reviews are written and before conversations spill…”
Meanwhile, Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chair and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jose Javier Reyes pointed out that there are three questions he wanted to pose. Why Cinemalaya is important? Why must it continue? What is its future?
Looking back, according to Joey Reyes, Cinemalaya is important because in the recent developments in the local film industry, four out of the best films of last year were productions of Cinemalaya. “If that is not an indication of the importance, of the significance of young filmmakers finding their voices, but more so, finding a platform to share their voices, then I do not know of any film event in this country that can match that,” he said.
Cinemalaya Festival Director Chris Millado discussed the meaning of the balangay, the symbol of the event. In the recent poster of the festival, Millado emphasized the steadiness of the boat while a diver is swimming beneath it. In the post of the 22nd Cinemalaya themed Reel Reflections, Millado said, “the balangay isn’t moving, it’s moored, the diver swimming to the surface, that odd, going deep into the memory, trauma, into joy in the parts of our consciousness that we don’t usually post on social media.”
Competing for the coveted Balanghai Trophy in the Full-Length Category are: “A.ni.mál” by Dustin Celestino; “2 Valid IDs” by Ma-an Asuncion-Dagñalan and Abet Pagdagdagan Raz; “Ganggang” JL Burgos; “Han of God” Mark Duane Angos; “Mag-iina” by Giancarlo Abrahan and Guelan Luarca; “Kaka Sa Yawan” Alpha Habon; “Status: Rejected” by Vahn Leinard Pascual; “Tayo Lang ang Nakakaalam” by David Corpuz and “Tirik” by May-i Guia Padilla.
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.
Millado said that the months of July and August were Cinemalaya seasons in the past but because of the renovation of the CCP, adjustments had to be made especially last year when the occasion was held in October.
According to the CCP Corporate Communications, Cinemalaya is bringing back the August playdates of the event and a longer run for more than one week screenings, is slated until August 18, 2026 in the movie houses of Shangri-La Mall’s Red Carpet Cinema, Ayala Malls cinemas and the various theaters of Gateway Cineplex.
Meanwhile, Marasigan also announced that the Cinemalaya opening film is “Enjoy Your Stay,” a film by Honeylyn Joy Alipio and Dominik Locher which premiered at the Panorama section of the recently concluded Berlin International Film Festival in Germany.The closing film is “Filipiniana,“ a movie by Rafael Manuel which was also shown at this year’s Berlin but won the Audience Choice at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.
Spotted at the presscon were Bituin Escalante, Frances Makil Ignacio with the other cast members of “a.ni.mal”; Pokwang of “2 Valid IDS”; Francis Mata and some of the casts of “Ganggang”; Ronnie Lazaro, Iza Calzado, Ruru Madrid and other stars of “Hand of God”; Janine Gutierrez, Agot Isidro, Jackie Lou Blanco and other members of the cast of “Mag-iina”; Beaver Magtalas, Luis Landy and other stars of “Kaka sa Yaman”; Ruby Ruiz, Alessandra de Rossi, Beverly Salviejo, among other members of the cast of “Status: Rejected”; Epy Quizon, Yayo Aguila and other stars of “Tayo Lang ang Nakakaalam” and stars of “Tirik” led by Rocco Nacino.