Five promising projects receive ₱700,000 production grants after QCinema received a record-breaking 395 submissions from Filipino filmmakers worldwide.
The QCinema International Film Festival continues to champion bold Filipino storytelling as it unveils the five recipients of its 2026 QCShorts Production Grant—awarding a total of ₱3.5 million to emerging filmmakers from across the country.
Selected from a record-breaking 395 submissions, this year’s grantees reflect a powerful cross-section of voices and perspectives. Their projects traverse themes of political unrest, intergenerational tensions, queer identity, folklore, and personal dislocation—proof that Filipino short filmmaking is evolving with urgency and depth.
“What stood out this year is the growing number of regional entries and genre-driven works,” shared Ed Lejano, QCinema’s artistic director and executive director of the QC Screen Commission. “Many filmmakers are using narrative, satire, and myth to confront the violence, absurdity, and injustices shaping our times.”
A New Wave of Filipino Voices
Leading this year’s lineup is Carla Pulido Ocampo with “Agsangit Laeng ti Al-alia (A Ghost Can Only Howl)”, an Ilocano period drama that follows a young feminine herbolario navigating identity, family, and revolution. Ocampo reunites with producer Lester Valle, continuing a creative partnership that previously earned acclaim with Tokwifi.
In “Body Works,” filmmaker Maki Makilan explores queerness and survival through a lesbian boudoir drama centered on a displaced worker navigating intimacy and economic hardship. Produced by Earvic Noay, Patti Lapus, and Dodo Dayao, the film reflects Makilan’s signature focus on migration and identity.
Adding to the lineup is “Maanaa Kanimo (With You)” by Toni Cañete, a queer coming-of-age story set in a close-knit community shaken by the disappearance of a religious icon. The film examines faith, identity, and moral conflict through the lens of sisterhood and loss.
Meanwhile, Rodiell Veloso brings genre experimentation to the forefront with “Run Shirley Run!”, a darkly comic queer body horror set in Mindanao. Blending folklore and absurdity, the film follows a divided manananggal caught between life and death—chaos unfolding as hunters and bystanders collide.
Completing the roster is “Sana’y Nandito Ka” by Clister Santos, an animated slice-of-life drama about a young man reconnecting with his estranged mother. The project signals the continued rise of animation within the Philippine indie film space.
Stories That Reflect the Times
“These films examine widening rifts—between individuals and families, bodies and beliefs,” noted Jason Tan Liwag, QCinema’s head of short film programming. “We remain committed to stories that are political, regional, and deeply Filipino.”
Since its launch in 2016, the QCShorts Production Grant has become a vital platform for emerging voices, supporting films that have gone on to win at prestigious festivals such as Berlin, Sundance, and Locarno. To date, the program has funded 56 short films with a total of ₱14.85 million in grants.
Each selected project undergoes a rigorous three-stage evaluation by a panel of filmmakers, critics, and industry experts—including Philbert Dy, Quark Henares, and Iana Bernardez—ensuring that only the most compelling stories are brought to life.
Toward the Big Screen
All five films are set to premiere at the 14th edition of the QCinema International Film Festival, happening from November 13 to 22, 2026.
As Filipino filmmakers continue to push boundaries and redefine storytelling, QCinema’s latest batch of grantees signals a future where regional voices, genre experimentation, and deeply personal narratives take center stage—reshaping the landscape of Philippine cinema, one short film at a time.
