A new milestone for Philippine cinema is set with the launch of the CineSilip Film Festival, a daring new platform that puts the spotlight on fearless and creative Filipino filmmaking.
The inaugural edition will run from October 22 to 28, 2025, exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas, presented by Viva in partnership with Ayala Malls.
The festival aims to highlight the talent and boldness of emerging Filipino directors by giving them the freedom to explore mature themes and diverse genres, from erotic thrillers to horror, comedy, and drama.
The seven official entries to the festival are:
Ang Lihim ni Maria Makinang (The Secret of Maria Makinang), a coming-of-age drama directed by Gian Arre, starring Gold Aceron, Aiko Garcia, and Mercedes Cabral. It tells the story of Maria, a mysterious young woman who only appears during the full moon, and her love affair with Danilo—timeless for him, fleeting for her.
Babae Sa Butas (The Woman in the Hole), an erotic drama-comedy by Rhance Añonuevo-Cariño featuring Van Allen Ong and Vern Kaye. It follows a tricycle driver whose affair with a mysterious woman in a wall hole entangles him in betrayal and deception.
Dreamboi, an erotic psycho-drama directed by Rodina Singh, starring Tony Labrusca and EJ Jallorina. The film centers on Diwa, a trans woman obsessed with the voice of an underground audio porn star, blurring the line between fantasy and painful reality.
Haplos Sa Hangin (A Sinful Touch), an erotic horror by Mikko Baldoza starring Martin del Rosario and Denise Esteban. It follows visual artist Emman, whose obsession with his abused neighbor Althea spirals into betrayal, lust, and nightmare.
Maria Azama: Da Best P*rn Star, a sexy comedy directed by Alan Habon, starring Albie Casiño and Dani Yoshida. The film tells the story of Jopet, whose wild fantasy comes true when a porn actress mysteriously comes to life, only for him to realize that reality is not as pleasurable as fantasy.
Pagdaong (A Midnight Kiss), a romantic drama by Pongs Leonardo starring Angela Morena and Astrid Lee. It follows the tender relationship between a reclusive poet, Luna, and a curious student, Jane, who uncovers that Luna’s works are inspired by a long-lost love named Ella.
Salikmata (Unseen), an erotic thriller directed by BC Amparado, written by Jason Paul Laxamana, starring Aliya Raymundo and Aerol Carmelo. Set in a secluded town of secrets and vengeance, a young man faces harsh punishment after his forbidden romance with a politician’s daughter is exposed.
The CineSilip Film Festival was formally launched on October 2 at Viva Café, Cubao, with lead actors Tony Labrusca (Dreamboi), Martin del Rosario (Haplos Sa Hangin), and Van Allen Ong (Babae Sa Butas) in attendance.
Festival director Ronald Arguelles described the CineSilip Film Festival as the country’s first “bold and daring” film festival: “Welcome to the inaugural CineSilip Film Festival, the new festival of films that are bold, brave, and different. This is not just a festival—it’s a platform for fearless storytelling, a space where experiments are welcome and true Filipino creativity emerges.”
He added: “Today, we will meet the risk takers, the dreamers, and the filmmakers of the seven new feature films. These films will make you laugh, cry, question, and maybe even feel uncomfortable—the magic of daring cinema. CineSilip is here to prove that Filipino cinema is alive, evolving, and ready to take on a new world.”
The CineSilip Film Festival Awards Night will be held on October 27, 2025, celebrating the standout films and performances from the daring lineup.
