Filipino filmmakers show resilience and creativity at its best

PAWscars Short Film Festival Jury, from left: Directors Arvin Belarmino, Film Development Council of the Philippines Chair Joey Reyes and Joseph Abello,

Despite the challenges in Philippine cinema, including limited funding, distribution hurdles, and competition from Hollywood blockbusters, the industry continues to demonstrate resilience and creativity. Filipino filmmakers are finding innovative ways to tell compelling stories that resonate with local audiences and gain international recognition. Independent productions are thriving, exploring diverse themes and pushing cinematic boundaries, while collaborative initiatives and film festivals provide crucial platforms for emerging talents and unique perspectives.

For one, there’s the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival which is calling for entries for the Full-Length Film category for 2026 edition. The country’s biggest independent film festival, now of its 21 years of nurturing independent Filipino filmmakers, Cinemalaya continues to invigorate the Philippine film industry by developing a new breed of Filipino filmmakers. Those who are interested in submitting their entries may submit online through on or before 6PM of June 6, 2025.

Interestingly, many Cinemalaya movies make good in the box office. For instance, Kip Oebanda’s Balota, starring Marian Rivera, top grosser at Cinemalaya 2024, attracted a good number of viewers on its regular run and was also the highest viewed film from 1 to 4 February this year at Netflix. For this year’s edition, the 2025 Cinemalaya Film Festival will be held on October 3 to 12.

Meanwhile, a new kid on the block, the Puregold-sponsored CinePanalo Festival also provided production grant for the 8 full-length features (P3,000,000 each) and 24 student films (P 150,000 each). The second edition which took place in March 2025 echoed uplifting stories of positivity with the theme of “Mga Kwentong Panalo ng Buhay”.

Character actress Ruby Ruiz who had several entries was adjudged best actress for her first Ilonggo film Tigkiliwi, while handsome actor Khalil Ramos bested others with his best actor trophy for Olsen’s Day.

For the box office success of CinePanalo at Gateway cinemas – while showcasing directors and stars of varying experience and acclaim within the industry — Festival Director Chris Cahilig, this early, is announcing the acceptance of entries for the 2026 edition which will no longer be thematic in nature.

Then there was also the recently-concluded first ever short film festival hosted by Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) — spearheaded by its President Francia Camacho Conrado and Festival Director Gabby Ramos– and presented by REMS Entertainment Production.

The awards night on May 10, 2025, gave three trophies to Gayle Oblea’s “As the Moth Flies” for Best Picture, Best Actress (Mina Cruz), and Best Editing (Noah Del Rosario).

The film, starring Cruz along with Boo Gabunada and Epi Quizon, offers a unique and honest perspective on the realities of living with mental illness, how it affects relationships, and how trauma deteriorates someone.

Director/writer Oblea said that her movie, produced by Creative Kartel Productions, has been showcased in different film festivals outside the country like Little Venice Film Festival, Urban Dream Mental Health Film Festival, Greenwich Film Festival and Brussels Film Festival where it received a warm appreciation.

Now there’s also a new festival for fur parents and their pets, the Unleash PAWScars Short Film Festival 2025. Touted to be a celebration of storytelling, creativity, and our beloved pets, no less than FDCP Chairman Director Jose Javier “Joey” Reyes stands as head of the Jury.

Filmmakers, content creators, or fur-parents are invited to submit their short films (10–20 minutes) with the theme “Unleash the Love,” that highlight the heart, chaos, and joy pets bring into our lives.

Submission period is on  May 16 – August 31, 2025 and the Awards Night is set on December 14, 2025. To join, simply download and fill out the Registration Form at unleash.ph and e-mail your entry to [email protected].


These and other initiatives in the film-making industry surely fuel hope for a brighter future, where Philippine cinema can overcome its obstacles and flourish as a vibrant and important art form, reflecting the rich culture and experiences of the Filipino people.

Showbiz uncoupling

Separation of sweethearts is the sudden trend in showbiz, at least in the last 5 months of 2025.

After the November 2023 breakup of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, Barbie Forteza announced on social media on January 2 that she and her boyfriend of 7 years, Jak Roberto, have called its quits.

Sam Milby finally broke his silence in February 2025, confirming that he and former Miss Universe 2018, Catriona Gray, have indeed ended their relationship even if they had been engaged since 2023.

“Slay” mainstay Mikee Quinto, on the other hand, bravely confirmed her breakup with Paul Salas during a TV interview on April 1. Her statement brief and direct: “Opo, hiwalay na kami (Yes, we have broken up).”

Then the controversial breakup of Kobe Paras and Kyline Alcantara followed. If social media posts about them are true, the uncoupling saga may continue with Kyline seeking legal actions against Kobe’s money obligation who allegedly borrowed a huge sum from her, his GF for a year.

Aside from Cristine Reyes and Marco Gumabao, also suspected of having detached themselves from each other are Sofia Andres and non-showbiz boyfriend (or husband?) Daniel Miranda. And the latest reported to have joined the fray? It’s the lovely pair of Julia Barretto and Gerald Anderson (denied by Gerald in an interview with Toni Gonzaga — ed.).

This is the observed trend among the lovers now, they don’t categorically announce their breakup. They simply unfollow each other in their social media accounts. Once sharp-eyed fans notice (or led to noticing?) the unfollowing , they immediately announce it to the world transforming netizens into a Marites of many kinds.

This quiet veteran couple didn’t have to unfollow each other’s Instagram account or resort to cryptic posts. They simply called it quits and went on with their lives as usual. Many of their friends and devoted fans, however, were disappointed because it was a case of a rewind for the lovers. They first became a couple in their younger years and got reconnected, this time much longer, for almost two years. And many thought they were altar-bound. But is the actress not the marrying type? Allegedly, the actor offered her marriage, but she did not accept it. Was it a case of falling out of love for the actress? Or she did discover some secrets from the actor that she found unacceptable? The actor has figured before in some blind items that he is also attracted to the same sex. Well, we all can guess for now.