Sesinand Julius Estabillo and Paul Bryan Bio 

Buckle up, film enthusiasts!

Cinemalaya is just around the corner, and this year’s festival promises to be a cinematic journey like no other.


As the annual celebration of independent Filipino cinema marks its 20th year celebration, the theme, “Loob, Lalim, Lakas,” sets the stage for shows that reflect Filipinos’ lives and social realities. 

From August 2 to 11, a carefully curated selection of 10 full-length features and 10 short films will grace the silver screen.

Below are this year’s lineup of entries under the two categories: 

Full-Length Films

1. Alipato at Muog (Flying Embers and a Fortress) directed by JL Burgos
 
Photo Courtesy of Cinemalaya

Synopsis: A filmmaker uncovers the hard truths surrounding the enforced disappearance of his older brother.

2. An Errand directed by Dominic Bekaert (Casts: Sid Lucero, Art Acuña, Nanding Josef, Elora Españo, Elora Españo, Eric Kelly, Thea Marabut)

Photo Courtesy of Cinemalaya.
 
Synopsis: As a driver travels from Baguio to Manila on an absurd errand from his boss, his car transforms into an echo chamber of memories, spanning the chasms of time, class, and character.

3. Balota directed by Kip Oebanda (Casts: Marian Rivera, Will Ashley, Royce Cabrera, Nico Antonio, Raheel Bhyria, Esnyr, Sassa Gurl, Donna Cariaga, Sue Prado, Joel Saracho, Gardo Versoza, and Mae Paner)

Photo Courtesy of Cinemalaya.

Synopsis: A  teacher pays an increasingly steep price for defending the democratic process of the election. 

4. Gulay Lang, Manong! directed by BC Amparado (Casts: Cedrick Juan, Perry Dizon, BJ Tolits Forbes, Ranzel, Dong Abay, and Lui Manansala)

Photo Courtesy of Cinemalaya.

 
Synopsis: A struggling farmer joins forces with a local policeman to rescue his grandson and take down a marijuana cartel, triggering a deeply personal journey that tests their beliefs and integrity.

5. Kantil (Trench) directed by Joshua Caesar Medroso (Casts: Edmund Telmo, Andre Miguel, Sue Prado, Raul Arellano, Ram Botero, Perry Dizon, Fe Gingging Hyde, Tads Obach, Alyssa Makiling, and Ryle Equia) 

Photo Courtesy of Cinemalaya.

Synopsis: The discovery of a mysterious alien shell in a trench transforms the lives of two star crossed lovers – Paleng and Eliong – and their threatened coastal village in Davao City, unearthing secrets deeper than the surrounding perilous waters.

6. Kono Basho direct by Jaime Pacena II (Casts: Gabby Padilla and Arisa Nakani)  

Photo Courtesy of Cinemalaya.
 
Synopsis: As two estranged half-sisters reunite at their father’s funeral, they mend their differences, find solace in shared grief, and become instrumental in the city’s ongoing recovery.

 7. Love Child directed by Jonathan Jurilla (Casts: RK Bagatsing, Jane Oineza, and John Tyrron Ramos)

Photo Courtesy of Cinemalaya.

Synopsis: A young couple navigates the challenges of raising their autistic son in an increasingly unforgiving world, testing their love and resilience.

8. The Hearing directed by Lawrence Fajardo (Casts: Mylene Dizon, Nor Domingo, Ina Feleo, Ruby Ruiz, Enzo Osorio, Angie Castrence, Marvin Yap, Rom Factolerin, Rome Mallari, and Ruslan Jacob Asumbrado)

Photo Courtesy of Cinemalaya.

Synopsis: Embroiled in a legal battle against a powerful figure, a deaf boy, with the support of his parents, crosses paths with a court sign language interpreter who can speak but is voiceless in her own home.

9. The Wedding Dance directed by Julius Lumiqued (Casts: Mai Fanglayan and Arvin Balageo)

Photo Courtesy of Cinemalaya.

Synopsis: Following the Japanese invasion in the 1940s, Awiyao comes home to his wife Lumnay to ask her to attend the wedding dance, an invitation that stirs memories of joy, pain, and emptiness. It is an invitation to celebrate his new wedding dance.

10. Tumandok (The Inhabitants) directed by Richard Jeroui Salvadico and Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay

Photo Courtesy of Cinemalaya.

Synopsis: The Ati, a Negrito ethnic group in Western Visayas, Philippines, have been steadfast in their fight to reclaim ancestral lands. In a rare opportunity, they take center stage in a film that intimately recounts their tales of struggle.

Short Films

1. i was walking on the streets of chinatown directed by Ryan Capili (Cast: Joaquin Prudente)

Photo Courtesy of Cinemalaya.

Synopsis: A film director returns to his hometown to shoot his latest film, only to find it transformed by the relentless passage of time.

2. Mama directed by Alexandra Brizuela 

Photo Courtesy of Cinemalaya.

Synopsis: Two mothers courageously navigate life, clinging to hope and resilience amidst the unbearable pain of losing their children to the relentless war on drugs.

3. Mariposa directed by Melanie Faye Tampo

Photo Courtesy of Cinemalaya.

Synopsis: A young girl reclaims her life after a year of rehabilitation only to confront her past abusers.

4. Pamalandong sa Danow (Reflection in the Marsh) directed by Breech Asher Harani (Casts: Remy Miel Reyes, Marites Lara Babanto, and Ricky Miel Reyes)

Photo Courtest of Cinemalaya.
Synopsis: Childhood friends Remy, Marites and Ricky, who are all descendants of the first indigenous settlers of Agusan Marsh, make it their life mission to protect and preserve their ancestral land. Despite the social and environmental challenges they have to face, they take small steps in achieving their common goal.

5. Primetime Mother directed by Sonny Calvento (Casts: Meryll Soriano, Kiki Baento, Marj Lorico, Jorrybell Agoto, and Jo Andrew Torlao)

Photo Courtesy of Cinemalaya.

Synopsis: An exploitative TV game show’s audition process tests a long-suffering mother’s fortitude and tenacity.

6. Abogbaybay (Shoredust) directed by P.R. Monencillo Patindol (Casts Marvin Moreno Jr., Climar Marañan Jr., Valdemar Dalaguit, and Jonathan Dalaguit)

Photo Courtesy of Cinemalaya.

Synopsis: Brothers on a remote island await the arrival of their mother—now ashes, at the start of the covid pandemic.

7. All This Wasted Space directed by Cris Bringas 

Photo Courtesy of Cinemalaya.

Synopsis: The search for a burial token for her mother forces a woman to dig up a buried past and confront the house she abandoned for 11 years. As she descends, the house speaks to her.

8. Ambot Wa Ko Kabalo Unsay I-Title Ani directed by Rey Anthony Villaverde (Casts: Emmanuel Jaboneta, Justine Lopez, Filamie Sami, Thomas Velasco, and Mariel Barbaso) 

Photo Courtesy of Cinemalaya.

Synopsis: Dysfunctional filmmaker wannabes strive to produce their zero-budget short film, testing the limits of their creativity and bonds.

9. An Baga Sa Dalan (The Red Trails) directed by Mariel Ritchie Jolejole and Roniño Dolim (Casts: Ford Matthew Ocino, Emma Dolim, Santy Leano, Jennifer Evardone, Eddie Arca, Ron Verano, Fidel Sabangan Jr., Nick Lusantas, Rymon Lopega, and Jessie Jarito)

Photo Courtest of Cinemalaya.

Synopsis: A young boy journeys through the red trails leading to a mythical city in the hope to resurrect his parents.

10. Cross My Heart and Hope to Die directed by Sam Manasca (Casts: Jorrybell Agoto, Aje Candelaria, Vincent Pajara, Carla Zarcal, and Rexon Anyayahan)

Photo Courtesy of Cinemalaya.

Synopsis: Mila struggles as she remains unpaid at work and a love interest becomes a source of comfort through his constant phone calls. But a promise of hope may also lead to tragedy and sad love songs.

Aside from the exciting lineup of movies, the jury for the main competition also includes decorated individuals in the film industry such as critic, creative writer, and academic Nicanor Tiongson, Cinemalaya 2023’s Best Supporting Actress and acclaimed artist Dolly De Leon, film curator Nicola Marzano, multi-awarded director/editor/composer/writer Jerrold Tarog, and Founder/Festival Director of the Dhaka International Film Festival Ahmed Muztaba Zamal. 

The Cinemalaya 2024 will be conducted at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque due to the ongoing renovation of its home Cultural Center of the Philippines main building. 

More than just an annual film screening in support of Filipino indie filmmakers, Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival celebrates hopes of breaking boundaries from the accustomed mainstream cinematic landscape, still artistically reflective of the unfiltered Pinoy culture and its one-of-a-kind nature.