All eyes will be on Davao in the regional film scene as the Ngilngig Asian Fantastic Film Festival (NgAFF) returns for its 10th edition, featuring more than 55 films from the Philippines and other parts of Asia. Scheduled for October 24 to 28, 2026, at the Cinematheque Centre Davao, the festival will bring together filmmakers and audiences through stories that explore horror, folklore, science fiction, and fantasy.
The lineup reflects the range of creative voices working across the region, with 5 feature-length films and 50 short films scheduled for screening. Of the shorts, 23 are locally made and 27 come from neighboring countries, while the competition section will feature 10 Filipino and 10 Asian short films. Under the theme “Metamorphosis,” this year’s festival also marks a decade of growth for a platform that has expanded its focus beyond horror to embrace a broader spectrum of fantastic cinema.
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Davao Becomes a Meeting Point for Filipino and Asian Stories
The festival’s international selection spans Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Palestine, South Korea, and Vietnam. Filipino entries, meanwhile, represent a broad range of locations, including Butuan, Davao City, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Ilocos Norte, Iloilo, Leyte, Metro Manila, Negros Occidental, Nueva Vizcaya, and Rizal.
This mix places films rooted in different communities and cultural experiences alongside one another, giving audiences in Davao an opportunity to encounter stories that may not always reach mainstream cinemas. The competition’s equal allocation of 10 Filipino and 10 Asian short films also creates space for local works to be viewed in conversation with productions from across the region.
The name Ngilngig comes from the Visayan word "ngilnig," meaning horrific. The festival initially concentrated on horror and folklore-based films before broadening its program to include science fiction and fantasy. Over time, it has developed into a venue where filmmakers across Asia can present their storytelling and creative work to a wider audience.
A Decade of Change Under the Theme ‘Metamorphosis’
The theme “Metamorphosis” reflects the festival’s evolution over its first decade, from a platform focused on horror and folklore to one embracing a wider range of fantastic film genres. This expansion mirrors the possibilities of independent cinema, where filmmakers can experiment with unconventional narratives, explore cultural traditions, and approach familiar experiences through imaginative perspectives.
With more than 55 films and entries from across the Philippines and Asia, the 10th Ngilngig Asian Fantastic Film Festival reinforces Davao City’s role as a venue for regional cultural exchange. Its impact goes beyond screenings: bringing diverse films to local audiences can broaden access to independent storytelling, create greater visibility for Filipino filmmakers, and help strengthen the creative communities that sustain the country’s film industry.
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