The 21st Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival capped off last October 13 at the Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong City, celebrating Filipino filmmakers who continue to sail through the waves and challenges of storytelling with creativity and heart.
This year’s Cinemalaya featured diverse entries, highlighting the top entries, including Noni Abao’s Bloom Where You Are Planted, which took home the prestigious Best Film award and Best Editing for Che Tagyamon and Arnex Nicolas. Meanwhile, Tim Rone Villanueva’s Child No. 82, Dustin Celestino’s Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan, and Sari Dalena’s Cinemartyrs all won three awards each.
Cinemalaya 2025 was held from October 3 to 12, and showcased 10 full-length feature film finalists aiming for the sought-after Best Film Balanghai Trophy. The independent film festival also screened 10 short films in its competition this year.
Here is the full list of Cinemalaya winners.
Full-length Feature Film Category
Best Film – Bloom Where You Are Planted
Best Director – Sari Dalena, Cinemartyrs
Best Actor – Jojit Lorenzo, Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan
Best Actress – Mylene Dizon, Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan
Best Supporting Actor – Nanding Josef, Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan
Best Supporting Actress – Rochelle Pangilinan, Child No. 82
Best Screenplay – Tim Rone Villanueva and Herlyn Alegre, Child No. 82
Best Cinematography – Theo Lozada, Raging
Best Editing – Che Tagyamon and Arnex Nicolas, Bloom Where You Are Planted
Best Production Design – Jeric delos Angeles, Padamlagan
Best Original Music Score – Teresa Barrozo, Cinemartyrs
Best Sound Design – Lamberto Casas Jr., Raging
Best Ensemble Performance – Cast of Open Endings (Janella Salvador, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Leanne Mamonong, and Klea Pineda)
Audience Choice Award for Full-length Film – Child No. 82
NETPAC Jury Prize for Full-length Feature – Republika ng Pipolipinas
Special Jury Prize for Full-length Feature – Cinemartyrs
Short Film Category
Best Short Film – The Next 24 Hours
Best Director – Elian Idioma, I’m Best Left Inside My Head
Best Screenplay – Handiong Kapuno, Figat
Audience Choice Award for Short Film – Ascension from the Office Cubicle
NETPAC Jury Prize for Short Feature – Hasang
Special Jury Prize for Short Feature – Kay Basta Angkarabo Yay Bagay Ibat Ha Langit
During the awards ceremony, the awarding body also congratulated the top 10 dinalists for Cinemalaya 2026 full-length feature films, which included a.ni.mal by Dustin Celestino, 2 Valid IDs by Ma-an L. Asuncion-Dagnalan and Abe Pagdagdagan Raz, Dangeom by Paul Sta. Ana, Ganggang by JL Burgos, Kamay ni Bathala by Mark Duane Angos, Mag-iina by Giancarlo Abrahan and Guelan Luarca, May Buntot ang mga ‘Yan by Alpha Habon, Status: Rejected by Vahn Leinard Pascual, Tayo Lang ang Nakakaalam by David R. Corpuz, and Tirik by May-i Padilla.
Stay tuned to Cinemalaya’s Facebook page for updates on next year’s festival.