Shangri-La Plaza’s Red Carpet Cinema promises audiences a wider variety of films and viewing experiences to enjoy this October. Through its “Culture in Focus” campaign launched in July, Red Carpet Cinema has treated movie fans to local and global films that educate, engage, and spark meaningful conversation.
“When we began ‘Culture in Focus,’ our intention was clear—to make Shangri-La Plaza a place where art isn’t just seen but deeply felt. A place where film, music, and ideas can move us and bring people together,” says Arrianne M. Nadurata, Senior Retail Marketing Manager at Shangri-La Plaza.
Now in its 21st year, Cinemalaya, the Philippines’ first and oldest independent film festival, has been captivating moviegoers with its 10 full-length films and 10 short films in competition since it premiered at the Shang on October 3.
Ongoing till October 12 with the theme “Layag sa Alon, Hangin, at Unos,” Cinemalaya brings together acclaimed filmmakers like Sari Dalena (full length), Carl Joseph Papa, and Whammy Alcazaren (shorts), and emerging voices such as Nonilon Abao, in one platform that celebrates Filipino creativity and compelling storytelling.
Cinephiles should catch Dalena’s provocative piece Cinemartyrs, a movie shot at where 1,000 men, women, and children were slaughtered. Also showing is Renei Dimla’s Republika ng Pipolopinas, the story of a farmer starting her own micronation after local government leaders threaten to evict her from her own land.
Running till October 10, Gawad Alternatibo, the longest-running independent film competition in Asia, heralds the year’s best works of Filipino filmmakers in animation, experimental, documentary, and short feature. Cinemalaya 21 continues to champion the work of Filipino filmmakers – from paying tribute to a film legend to new works by a National Artist – via a series of book launches slated on October 8, 9, and 11 at Red Carpet Cinema.
Also on October 9, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), through the 37th edition of Gawad Alternatibo, is hosting a special screening of Backstage Pass Season 3: The Pillars of the House. With Director Joseph Mangat at the helm, the film offers an intimate glimpse into how the front of house team and ushers quietly shape the audience’s experience while remaining in the background.
Cinemalaya 21 closes with the 1980 film Kakabakaba Ka Ba? (Will Your Heart Beat Faster?) on October 11 at 8:00PM Directed by Mike De Leon, the satirical commentary and absurdist musical comedy revolve around two couples who, disguised as priests and nuns, discover a plot by foreign syndicates for a large-scale opium distribution through communion wafers to control Filipinos. Gawad Alternatibo, Cinemalaya 21 Book Launches, Special Screenings, and its Closing Film are all FREE.
From October 16 to 19, Shangri-La Plaza’s Red Carpet Cinemas treats cinephiles to Kinofest, three days of carefully curated films from contemporary German cinema. All for free, the roster of movies ranges from controversial to cute. There’s Riefenstahl, the story of artist and Nazi propagandist Leni Riefenstahl, and Giants of La Mancha, which follows the adventures of Don Quixote heir, 11-year-old Alfonso, and his three imaginary musical rabbits in an attempt to save their town from a powerful storm.
As part of DAKILA’s (Philippine Collective for Modern Heroism) 20th Anniversary celebration, the organization is hosting a benefit screening and talkback of the film QUEZON on October 18, 2:00 to 6:00 PM at the Shang’s Red Carpet Cinema 4. The collective aims to promote the movie within their community and bring more audiences to cinemas to experience QUEZON as an essential film for critical thinking.
Follow the Shang’s Red Carpet Cinema for news on upcoming events like the International Silent Film Festival, Cine Europa, Japanese Film Festival, and Spring Film Festival in celebration of Chinese New Year.
For updates and inquiries, follow Shangri-La Plaza on Facebook at www.facebook.com/shangrilaplazaofficial and on Instagram @shangrilaplazaofficial.
