The 21st Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival sets sail once again—bringing with it a bold new wave of stories and an even wider cinematic reach.
This year, Cinemalaya goes beyond its traditional shores, strengthening its two-decade partnership with Ayala Malls Cinemas while welcoming Gateway Cineplex 18 as its newest official venue. Together, they mark an important milestone for the festival’s mission to bring world-class Filipino stories closer to more audiences across the metro.
From Circuit Makati to U.P. Town Center, Ayala Malls Cinemas continues to be a home for independent storytelling, transforming everyday mall visits into encounters with Filipino creativity at its finest. Comfortable theaters and reliable screening facilities make these spaces ideal platforms for showcasing the vibrant diversity of local cinema.
Meanwhile, Gateway Cineplex 18 in Araneta City, Cubao, offers a fresh cinematic experience that feels both intimate and expansive. With its upgraded audiovisual systems and revitalized interiors, the Cineplex proved to be the perfect new harbor for Cinemalaya’s growing community. The venue also hosted special screenings, galas, and talkbacks, allowing audiences to engage more deeply with the filmmakers and the art of storytelling itself.
At its core, Cinemalaya remains anchored in its mission—to discover, nurture, and honor the voices shaping Philippine cinema. Even amid challenges, from the redevelopment of the CCP Main Building to shifting cultural tides, the festival continues to chart new waters with courage and conviction.
This year’s theme, “Layag: sa Alon, Hangin, at Unos,” captures that enduring spirit. It celebrates the resilience of Filipino filmmakers who brave every storm to tell stories that inspire, challenge, and connect us all.
By expanding its partner venues, Cinemalaya continues to blur the boundaries between mainstream and independent cinema. Its presence in commercial spaces like Ayala Malls and Gateway Cineplex redefines not only where Filipino films can be seen—but also who gets to see them.
More than just screens and seats, these venues have become communal spaces where stories of love, loss, identity, and defiance echo far beyond the walls of the theater—touching lives and shaping perspectives, one film at a time.
Catch the 10 full-length and 10 short films of Cinemalaya 21 until October 12, 2025, at Shangri-La Plaza, Ayala Malls Cinemas, and Gateway Cineplex 18.
For more information, visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) and Cinemalaya website (www.cinemalaya.org), or follow CCP and Cinemalaya on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates.
