Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2019: Everything you need to know

Cinemalaya returns for its 15th edition. Read through this guide for all the essential things you need when you attend the annual film festival this August. 

Festival run and participating venues

Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival will run from August 3 to 13, 2019. This year’s Cinemalaya is special since this will be the first time the festival will go nationwide for its premiere run.

Participating venues will be at Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) from August 2 to 11, and Ayala Malls/ Vista Cinemas, comprised of Evia Lifestyle Center, Glorietta, Greenbelt, Market! Market!, UP Town Center, Trinoma, Ayala Malls Legazpi, Abreeza Davao, Capitol Central Bacolod, Vista Cinemas Iloilo, Vista Cinemas Naga, and Vista Cinemas Pampanga, this August 7 to 13.  

Opening and Closing Film

Lav Diaz's Ang Hupa

Lav Diaz’s latest sci-fi drama ‘Ang Hupa’ (The Halt) will open this year’s festivities at August 2 (Friday), 6PM at the CCP Main Theater. The film stars Piolo Pascual, Shaina Magdayao, Joel Lamangan, and Hazel Orencio. 

Kerwin Go's Mina Anud

Closing the festival is Kerwin Go’s ‘Mina Anud,’ headlined by Dennis Trillo, Matteo Guidicelli, and Jerald Napoles. 

In Competition – Full Length Category

‘Ani (The Harvest)’ by Kim Zuñiga and Sandro Del Rosario

Kim Zuñiga and Sandro Del Rosario's Ani (The Harvest)

Set in 2050, an orphaned boy named Mithi lives with his grandfather Mauricio. When he falls ill, Mithi then goes on a quest with his malfunctioning robot to search for magical grains that could save his grandfather's life. ‘Ani’ stars Zyren Dela Cruz, Ricky Davao, Miguel Valdes, Marc Felix, and Anna Luna.

‘Edward’ by Thop Nazareno 

Thop Nazareno's Edward

Edward is stuck in a public hospital to take care of his sick father. The boy then treats the hospital grounds as his playground, without knowing that it can be his source of liberation in the end. ‘Edward’ stars Louise Abuel, Dido dela Paz, Elijah Canlas, Manuel Chua, and Ella Cruz.

‘Fucc Bois’ by Eduardo Roy, Jr. 

Eduardo Roy, Jr.'s Fucc Bois

Ace and Miko aspires to become famous actors. The Universe, however, has different plans for them. 'Fucc Bois' stars Royce Cabrera, Kokoy de Santos, Royce Cabrera, and Ricky Davao.



‘Pandanggo sa Hukay’ by Sheryl Rose Andes

Sheryl Rose Andes's Pandanggo sa Hukay

Elena, a midwife in her 30s aims for a greener future for her family. As she was preparing for her application process to go to Saudi Arabia, she finds herself in the middle of a series of unfortunate events, and she must dance her way out of it "the pandanggo way". 'Pandanggo sa Hukay' stars Iza Calzado, Ybes Bagadiong, Acey Aguilar, Diva Montelaba, and Charlie Dizon. 

‘Tabon’ by Xian Lim

Xian Lim's Tabon

A man’s beliefs are tested when people are accused of a crime they believe to not have committed. ‘Tabon‘ stars Christopher Roxas, Ynna Asistio, Dexter Doria, Bapbap Reyes, Menggie Cobarrubias, Leon Miguel, and Benjie Felipe.

‘Belle Douleur (Beautiful Pain)’ by Joji V. Alonso

Joji Alonso's Belle Douleur

A woman finds happiness while she tries to move away from the walls that society has created on women. ‘Belle Douleur’ stars Mylene Dizon, Kit Thompson, Marlon Rivera, Jenny Jamora, and Hannah Ledesma.

‘Iska’ by Theodore Boborol 

Theodore Boborol's Iska

A loving grandmother struggles to singlehandedly raise her grandson with autism. ‘Iska’ stars Ruby Ruiz, Soliman Cruz, Pryle Gura, Ricky Rivero, and Jonic Magno.

‘John Denver Trending’ by Arden Rod Condez

Arden Rod Condez's John Denver Trending

A 14-year-old farm boy’s life changes when a video of him attacking his classmate went viral. ‘John Denver Trending’ stars Jansen Magpusao, Meryll Soriano, Glenn Mas, Sammy Rubido, and Vince Philip Alege.

‘Malamaya (The Color of Ash)’ by Danica Sta. Lucia and Leilani Chavez

Danica Sta. Lucia and Leilani Chavez's Malamaya (The Color of Ash)

A pessimistic middle-aged artist finds spark and inspiration from a young photographer who helps her on her creative and sexual awakening. ‘Malamaya’ stars Enzo Pineda, Sunshine Cruz, Raymond Bagatsing, and Bernadette Allyson. 

‘Annak Ti Karayan (Children of the River)’ by Maricel Cariaga

Maricel Cariaga's Annak Ti Karayan (Children of the River)

A group of friends lives a quiet and innocent life in their village until an outsider takes a vacation in their community, triggering change in one of them, and leaves him confused, seeking comfort from his friends. ‘Annak ti Karayan’ stars Noel Comia, Jr., Ricky Oriarte, Dave Justin Francis, Junyka Santarin, and JR Custodio.


In Competition – Short Film Category

'Wag Mo 'Kong Kausapin (Please Stop Talking)’ by Josef Dielle Gacutan

Josef Gacutan's Wag Mo 'Kong Kausapin

‘Disconnection Notice’ by Glenn Lowell Averia

Glenn Averia's Disconnection Notice

‘Gatilyo (Trigger)’ by Harold Lance Pialda

Harold Pialda's Gatilyo

‘Heist School’ by Julius Renomeron, Jr. 

Julius Ronemeron, Jr.'s Heist School

‘Hele ng Maharlika (Lullaby of the Free)’ by Norvin de los Santos 

Norvin de los Santos' Hele ng Maharlika

‘Kontrolado ni Girly ang Buhay N'ya (Girly is in Control of His Life)’ by Gilb Baldoza

Gilb Baldoza's Kontrolado ni Girly ang Buhay N'ya

’Sa Among Agwat (In Between Spaces)’ by Don Senoc

Don Senoc's Sa Among Agwat

‘Sa Gabing Tanging Liwanag ay Paniniwala (Belief as the Light in Darkness)’ by Francis Amir Guillermo

Francis Guillermo's Sa Gabing Tanging Liwanag ay Paniniwala

‘Tembong (Connecting)’ by Saira Advincula

Shaira Advincula's Tembong

‘The Shoemaker’ by Sheron Dayoc

Sheron Dayoc's The Shoemaker

Exhibition Films

VISIONS OF ASIA

Ash Mayfair's The Third Wife

• ‘Lying to Mom’ by Katsumi Nojiri (Japan)
• ‘Still Human’ by Oliver Siu Kuen Chan (Hong Kong)
• ‘The Third Wife’ by Ash Mayfair (Vietnam)
• ‘Kejal’ by Nima Yar (Iran)
• ‘Sweet Requiem’ by Tenzing Sonam, Ritu Sarin (Tibet)

FESTIVALS' BEST

Zig Dulay's Akin ang Korona

• ‘Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon’ by Carlo Encisu Catu (Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2018)
• Liway’ by Kip Oebanda (Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2018)
• ‘Pailalim’ by Daniel Palacio (Sinag Maynila Film Festival 2019) 
• ‘Akin ang Korona’ by Zig Dulay (Sinag Maynila Film Festival 2019)
• Oda Sa Wala’ by Dwein Baltazar (QCinema International Film Festival 2018)
• ‘Hintayan ng Langit’ by Dan Villegas (QCinema International Film Festival 2018)
• ‘Tanabata's Wife’ by Charlson L. Ong, Choy Pangilinan (ToFarm Film Festival 2018)
• ‘Sol Searching’ by Roman Perez, Jr. (ToFarm Film Festival 2018)
• ‘Paglisan’ by Carl Joseph Papa (Cinema One Originals 2018)
• ‘Mamu; And a Mother Too’ by Rod Singh (Cinema One Originals 2018)
• ‘Rainbow's Sunset’ by Joel Lamangan (Metro Manila Film Festival 2018)
• ‘Signal Rock’ by Chito S. Roño (Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2018)

TOKYO DOCS

Babyruth Villarama's Sunday Cinderella

• ‘My Little Dancing Shoes’ by Bryan Kristoffer Brazil 
• ‘Sunday Cinderella’ by Babyruth Villarama
• ‘Daughter's Courage’ by Khashem Gyal
• ‘Cycling Tahima’ by Mahafuza Aktar

INDIE-NATION

Khavn de la Cruz's Bamboo Dogs

• ‘Dog Days’ by Timmy Harn
• ‘Fisting (Never Tear Us Apart)’ by Whammy Alcazaren 
• ‘Never Not Love You’ by Antoinette Jadaone
• ‘Bamboo Dogs’ by Khavn de la Cruz

REMASTERED CLASSICS

The restored version of Peque Gallaga's 1983 film 'Bad Bananas sa Puting Tabing' will premiere at this year's Cinemalaya. Restoration is helmed by the ABS-CBN Film Restoration for their ongoing "Sagip Pelikula" project.

GAWAD CCP
Now on its 31st year, the Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibo Pelikula at Video once again celebrates short films and animated works by Filipino filmmakers. For the full list of the films which will participate this year, please visit this page.

SCHEDULE

For the complete schedule, please check this official Cinemalaya schedule page.

Ticket Price
Tickets for Cinemalaya costs P200 per screening. Students may avail the student discount priced at P150 each. All tickets can be bought at Ticketworld outlets (online and on-site) and the CCP box-office. Screenings for Opening Film, Closing Film, and Gawad CCP are free.

Cinemalaya Festival Passes
Festival passes for Cinemalaya 2019 are available now at TicketWorld (online and on-site) and the CCP box-office.