What to Watch at Cinemalaya’s 20th Edition: A Guide to This Year’s Must-See Films

The much-anticipated Cinemalaya Film Festival is back, marking its 20th edition with a fresh and exciting lineup that promises to captivate and inspire. This year, Cinemalaya continues to be the premier platform for showcasing the rich history of Filipino independent cinema, presenting stories that reflect the diverse and dynamic cultural landscape of the Philippines.

With the theme “Cinemalaya Bente: Loob, Lalim, Lakas,” this year’s festival focuses on exploring the depths of storytelling, creativity, and artistic expression. 

Your Essential Cinemalaya Watchlist

1. Alipato at Muog by JL Burgos  

Explore the gripping story of the 2007 abduction of Jonas Burgos, explored through animation, testimonials, and raw footage.

Screening Locations and Dates:

• - August 3: Market Market (5 p.m.), Trinoma (5 p.m.), Ayala Malls Manila Bay (2:30 p.m.)  
• - August 4: Greenbelt 3 (8:30 p.m.), UP Town Center (8:30 p.m.)  
• - August 6: Ayala Malls Manila Bay (5:30 p.m.)  
• - August 7: Market Market (11 a.m.), Trinoma (11 a.m.)  
• - August 8: Greenbelt 3 (5 p.m.), UP Town Center (5 p.m.), Ayala Malls Manila Bay (2:30 p.m.)  
• - August 9: Greenbelt 3 (8:30 p.m.), UP Town Center (8:30 p.m.)  
• - August 11: Market Market (2 p.m.), Trinoma (4 p.m.)  

2. An Errand by Dominic Bekaert and Sarge Lacuesta  

Join Moroy, a driver on a surreal journey from Baguio to Manila, in a film blending drama, fantasy, and action.

Screening Locations and Dates:

• - August 3: Ayala Malls Manila Bay (8:30 p.m.)  
• - August 4: Market Market (8:30 p.m.), Trinoma (8:30 p.m.)  
• - August 5: Greenbelt 3 (5 p.m.), UP Town Center (5 p.m.)  
• - August 6: Market Market (11 a.m.), Trinoma (11 a.m.), Ayala Malls Manila Bay (8:30 p.m.)  
• - August 7: Greenbelt 3 (8:30 p.m.), UP Town Center (8:30 p.m.)  
• - August 9: Greenbelt 3 (2 p.m.), UP Town Center (2 p.m.), Ayala Malls Manila Bay (2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.)  
• - August 11: Market Market (5 p.m.), Trinoma (6:30 p.m.)  

3. Tumandok by Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay and Richard Jeroui Salvadico  

Experience the harrowing and beautiful tale of the Ati community’s struggle for their land, told through their own voices and perspectives.

Screening Locations and Dates:

• - August 3: Greenbelt 3 (5 p.m.), UP Town Center (5 p.m.)  
• - August 4: Ayala Malls Manila Bay (8:30 p.m.)  
• - August 5: Market Market (5 p.m.), Trinoma (5 p.m.)  
• - August 6: Greenbelt 3 (5 p.m.), UP Town Center (5 p.m.)  
• - August 8: Market Market (11 a.m.), Trinoma (11 a.m.), Ayala Malls Manila Bay (5:30 p.m.)  
• - August 10: Market Market (2 p.m.), Trinoma (2 p.m.)  
• - August 11: Greenbelt 3 (8:30 p.m.), UP Town Center (8:30 p.m.)  

4. Balota by Kip Oebanda  

A riveting drama and satire about a teacher’s quest to protect votes in an electoral system fraught with corruption.

Screening Locations and Dates: 

• - August 3: Greenbelt 3 (8:30 p.m.), UP Town Center (8:30 p.m.)  
• - August 4: Ayala Malls Manila Bay (5:30 p.m.)  
• - August 5: Market Market (8:30 p.m.), Trinoma (8:30 p.m.), Ayala Malls Manila Bay (8:30 p.m.)  
• - August 6: Greenbelt 3 (11 a.m.), UP Town Center (11 a.m.)  
• - August 7: Market Market (2 p.m.), Trinoma (2 p.m.), Ayala Malls Manila Bay (8:30 p.m.)  
• - August 9: Greenbelt 3 (5 p.m.), UP Town Center (5 p.m.), Ayala Malls Manila Bay (8:30 p.m.)  
• - August 11: Market Market (11 a.m.), Trinoma (1:30 p.m.)  

5. Gulay Lang, Manong! by BC Amparado  

This film takes a closer look at the stigma around medical cannabis through the story of a policeman and a vegetable farmer on a mission.

Screening Locations and Dates: 

• - August 3: Greenbelt 3 (2 p.m.), UP Town Center (2 p.m.)  
• - August 4: Ayala Malls Manila Bay (5:30 p.m.)  
• - August 5: Market Market (11 a.m.), Trinoma (11 a.m.), Ayala Malls Manila Bay (8:30 p.m.)  
• - August 6: Market Market (8:30 p.m.), Trinoma (8:30 p.m.)  
• - August 7: Ayala Malls Manila Bay (5:30 p.m.)  
• - August 8: Greenbelt 3 (8:30 p.m.), UP Town Center (8:30 p.m.)  
• - August 10: Greenbelt 3 (11 a.m.), Market Market (5 p.m.), Trinoma (5 p.m.), UP Town Center (11 a.m.), Ayala Malls Manila Bay (2:30 p.m.)  

6. Kantil by Joshua Caesar Medroso  

Explore a queer sci-fi adventure in Davao, where a mysterious alien shell disrupts a community’s fight against demolition.

Screening Locations and Dates:  

• - August 3: Market Market (11 a.m.), Trinoma (11 a.m.)  
• - August 4: Greenbelt 3 (2 p.m.), UP Town Center (2 p.m.)  
• - August 6: Greenbelt 3 (8:30 p.m.), UP Town Center (8:30 p.m.)  
• - August 7: Ayala Malls Manila Bay (5:30 p.m.)  
• - August 8: Market Market (8:30 p.m.), Trinoma (8:30 p.m.)  
• - August 9: Market Market (5 p.m.), Trinoma (5 p.m.), Ayala Malls Manila Bay (11 a.m.)  
• - August 10: Greenbelt 3 (2 p.m.), UP Town Center (2 p.m.), Ayala Malls Manila Bay (2:30 p.m.)  

7. Kono Basho by Jaime Pacena II  

A touching story of two half-sisters from different cultures reconnecting through their shared grief and memories.

Screening Locations and Dates: 

• - August 3: Market Market (8:30 p.m.)  
• - August 4: Greenbelt 3 (5 p.m.), UP Town Center (5 p.m.)  
• - August 7: Market Market (5 p.m.)  
• - August 8: Greenbelt 3 (2 p.m.), UP Town Center (2 p.m.)  
• - August 9: Market Market (2 p.m.)  
• - August 10: Greenbelt 3 (5 p.m.), UP Town Center (5 p.m.)  

8. Love Child by Jonathan Jurilla  

Explore the journey of a young couple raising a child with special needs and what true commitment means.

Screening Locations and Dates:

• - August 3: Greenbelt 3 (11 a.m.), UP Town Center (11 a.m.)  
• - August 5: Market Market (2 p.m.), Trinoma (2 p.m.), Ayala Malls Manila Bay (5:30 p.m.)  
• - August 6: Market Market (5 p.m.), Trinoma (5 p.m.)  
• - August 7: Greenbelt 3 (5 p.m.), UP Town Center (5 p.m.)  
• - August 8: Ayala Malls Manila Bay (8:30 p.m.)  
• - August 9: Market Market (8:30 p.m.), Trinoma (8:30 p.m.)  
• - August 10: Greenbelt 3 (8:30 p.m.), UP Town Center (8:30 p.m.)  

9. The Hearing by Lawrence Fajardo and Honee Alipio  

A poignant film addressing justice and silence as it follows a deaf boy’s family seeking justice against a powerful priest.

Screening Locations and Dates:

• - August 3: Market Market (2 p.m.), Trinoma (2 p.m.)  
• - August 4: Greenbelt 3 (11 a.m.), UP Town Center (11
•  a.m.), Ayala Malls Manila Bay (5:30 p.m.)  
• - August 6: Greenbelt 3 (2 p.m.), UP Town Center (2 p.m.)  
• - August 7: Ayala Malls Manila Bay (8:30 p.m.)  
• - August 8: Market Market (5 p.m.), Trinoma (5 p.m.)  
• - August 9: Greenbelt 3 (11 a.m.), UP Town Center (11 a.m.)  
• - August 10: Ayala Malls Manila Bay (11 a.m.)  
• - August 11: Market Market (8:30 p.m.), Trinoma (9 p.m.)  

10. The Wedding Dance by Julius Lumiqued  

Adapted from a beloved short story, this film examines the struggles and cultural expectations placed on women in Cordilleran society.

Screening Locations and Dates: 

• - August 3: Ayala Malls Manila Bay (5:30 p.m.)  
• - August 4: Market Market (5 p.m.), Trinoma (6:10 p.m.), Ayala Malls Manila Bay (2:30 p.m.)  
• - August 5: Greenbelt 3 (8:30 p.m.), UP Town Center (8:30 p.m.)  
• - August 6: Market Market (2 p.m.), Trinoma (2 p.m.)  
• - August 8: Greenbelt 3 (11 a.m.), UP Town Center (11 a.m.)  
• - August 10: Market Market (8:30 p.m.), Trinoma (8:30 p.m.), Ayala Malls Manila Bay (5:30 p.m.)  
• - August 11: Greenbelt 3 (5 p.m.), UP Town Center (5 p.m.)