The 21st Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival was held from October 3 to 11, 2025 in Metro Manila, Philippines.
The main venue of the film festival is the Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong.
This edition, described as "streamlined", faced reduced funding from the Cultural Center of the Philippines, with events outside the competitions scrapped. The schedule of Cinemalaya was shifted from the customary August to October. Entries The winning film is highlighted with boldface and a dagger.
Feature films Title Director Starring GenreBloom Where You are Planted † Noni Abao N/A DocumentaryChild No. 82 Tim Rone Villanueva JM Ibarra, Rochelle Pangilinan, and Vhong Navarro Comedy drama, FantasyCinemartyrs Sari Dalena 27 billed cast members DramaHabang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan Dustin Celestino Dolly de Leon, Jojit Lorenzo, Zanjoe Marudo, Mylene Dizon Existential dramaOpen Endings Nigel Santos Janella Salvador, Klea Pineda, Jasmine Curtis-Smith Romance drama, LGBTQPadamlágan Jenn Romano Ely Buendia, Esteban Mara, Sue Prado, Floyd Tena Historical dramaPaglilitis Raymund BarcelonCheska Marfori Eula Valdez, Jackie Lou Blanco, Sid Lucero, Leo Martinez DramaRaging Ryan Machado Elijah Canlas, Ron Angeles, Glenn Sevilla Mas, Nathan Sotto DramaRepublika ng Pipolipinas Renei Dimla Geraldine Villamil, Alessandra De Rossi, Kakki Teodoro MockumentaryWarla Kevin AlambraArah Badayos Lance Reblando, KaladKaren, Serena Magiliw, Valeria Ortega, Jacky Woo, Dimples Romana Social Drama Short films Title Director Ascension from the Office Cubicle Hannah Silvestre Figat Handiong KapunoHasang Daniel de la CruzI'm Best Left Inside My Head Elian IdiomaKay Basta Angkarabo Yay Bagay Ibat Ha Langit Marie Estela PaisoKung Tugnaw ang Kaidalman Sang Lawod Seth Andrew BlancaPlease Keep This Copy Miguel Lorenzo PeraltaRadikals Arvin BelarminoThe Next 24 Hours † Carl Joseph PapaWater Sports Whammy Alcazaren
Awards
The awards ceremony was held on October 12, 2025, at the Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong.
Feature films Best Film – Bloom Where You Are Planted by Noni Abao Special Jury Award – Cinemartyrs by Sari Dalena Audience Choice Award – Child No. 82 by Tim Rone Villanueva Best Direction – Sari Dalena for Cinemartyrs Best Actor – Jojit Lorenzo for Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan Best Actress – Mylene Dizon for Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan Best Supporting Actor – Nanding Josef for Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra Ang Kasaysayan Best Supporting Actress – Rochelle Pangilinan for Child No. 82 Best Screenplay – Tim Rone Villanueva and Herlyn Alegre for Child No. 82 Best Cinematography – Theo Lozada for Raging Best Editing – Che Tagyamon for Bloom Where You Are Planted Best Sound – Lamberto Casas Jr. for Raging Best Original Music Score – Teresa Barrozo for Cinemartyrs Best Production Design – Jeric Delos Angeles for Padamlagan Short films Best Film – The Next 24 Hours by Carl Joseph Papa Special Jury Award – Kay Basta Angkarabo Yay Bagay Ibat ha Langit Audience Choice Award – Ascencion for the Office Cubicle by Hannah Silvestre Best Screenplay – Figat by Handiong Kapuno Best Direction – Elian Idioma for I'm Left Inside My Head Special awards NETPAC Full-length Feature Award: Republika ng Pipolipinas by Renei Dimla NETPAC Short Film Award: Hasang by Daniel de la Cruz
References