The Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival returns for its seventh edition from September 24 to 30, 2025, showcasing a fresh lineup of Filipino stories across full-length features, documentaries, and short films.
Festival co-founders Solar Entertainment President Wilson Tieng and Cannes-winning director Brillante Mendoza revealed that this year’s edition drew a record-breaking 300 submissions, including works from both professional and student filmmakers.
“Nahirapan kami mamili, ang dami entries. We got over 300 plus, last year 200 plus naman,” Tieng shared during the official launch held on August 20 at Gateway Mall 2 in Quezon City. He added that the surge in student submissions reflects a shift in young Filipinos’ career paths: “We are focusing in short films this year, nakita namin napakarami estudyante, filmmaking pinipili, di na engineering. Marami nagsimula sa Sinag Maynila tulad ni Zig Dulay.”
Competing in this year’s Full-Length Features category are:
- Altar Boy – Directed by Serville Poblete, starring Mark Bacolcol, Shai Barcia, and Pablo S.J. Quiogue.
- Candé – Directed by Kevin Pison Piamonte, starring JC Santos and Sunshine Teodoro.
- Jeongbu – Directed by Topel Lee, starring Aljur Abrenica, Ritz Azul, and Empress Schuck.
- Madawag Ang Landas Patungong Pag-Asa (The Teacher) – Directed by Joel Lamangan, starring Rita Daniela, Jak Roberto, and Albie Casiño.
- Selda Tres (Cell Number 3) – Directed by GB Sampedro, starring Carla Abellana, JM de Guzman, and Cesar Montano.
Apart from feature films, Sinag Maynila will also screen selected works under its Documentary (Open Call and Student) and Short Film (Open Call and Student) competitions, featuring more than 60 titles that highlight diverse voices and regional stories.
Entries include ‘Bai’ by Dimae Holzhauer, ‘Mga Bayaning Ayta’ by Donnie Sacueza, and student-produced films like ‘Alon Likha (Waves of Creation)’ by Deanne Marie Idanan and ‘Puno’t Dulo ng Bahaghari (Beginning and End of the Rainbow)’ by Kyle Dexter Millave. Short film standouts include ‘Hello, Mr. Jenkins’ by Gian Arre and Flo Reyes, ‘Lip Sync Assassin’ by Jon Galvez, and ‘Muli Na Ka, Merlie (Merlie, Go Home)’ by Shane David.
Festival organizers also announced a price cut to make screenings more affordable. Tickets for all Sinag Maynila 2025 screenings will be sold at only ₱250 each.
“Panahon na talaga para ibaba ang presyo. Napakamahal ng sine. Dati iyan isa sa pinaka mura, ngayon isa sa pinaka mahal. Di na kaya ng ordinaryong manggagawa,” said director Joel Lamangan.
All finalist films will be screened in select cinemas including Gateway, Robinsons Manila, Robinsons Antipolo, SM Mall of Asia, and SM Fairview.
With the theme ‘Sine Lokal, Pang-Internasyonal,’ Sinag Maynila 2025 continues its mission to amplify Filipino voices in cinema—offering audiences a chance to experience stories that reflect both local realities and global aspirations. (with reports from Loyd Pino)
