The diverse jury members for Cinemalaya 2026 and the NETPAC award

For its 22nd edition, the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival once again brings together an accomplished panel of filmmakers, curators, critics, producers, and cultural practitioners from the Philippines and around the world to serve as jurors and determine this year’s recipients of the coveted Balanghai trophy.

Representing diverse fields across cinema and the arts, the jurors bring extensive experience in filmmaking, criticism, curation, cultural work, and international festival programming. Their varied perspectives will play a crucial role in evaluating the films competing in this year’s Cinemalaya.

The Cinemalaya Main Competition Jury

Entrusted with selecting this year’s Balanghai Trophy winners for the Main Competition are acclaimed filmmaker Sari Lluch Dalena, independent curator and cultural critic Marian Pastor Roces, Indian filmmaker Pradip Kurbah, Italian producer and international events organizer Lorenzo “Lello” Carvelli, and cinematographer-filmmaker Dan Villegas.

Leading the Main Competition jury is Sari Lluch Dalena, one of the pioneers of Philippine alternative cinema. Her body of work spans documentary, experimental, and narrative filmmaking. A professor at the University of the Philippines Film Institute, Dalena has earned numerous distinctions for films including Ka Oryang and The Guerrilla is a Poet.

Her film Cinemartyrs was featured in last year’s Cinemalaya edition, where Dalena received Balanghai trophies for Best Director, Best Musical Scoring, and the Special Jury Prize. A recipient of the Fulbright-Hayes Scholarship, she was also honored with the CCP Thirteen Artist Awards in 2000.

Joining Dalena is Marian Pastor Roces, an internationally recognized independent curator, cultural critic, and policy analyst whose work has helped shape conversations surrounding art, politics, museums, and cultural heritage in the Philippines and abroad. Her decades-long practice includes curating major museums and Philippine pavilions at World Expositions, as well as producing influential writings on culture and society.

Award-winning filmmaker Pradip Kurbah brings a strong regional and international perspective to the panel. A filmmaker from Meghalaya, India, Kurbah has played a significant role in bringing Khasi-language cinema to audiences around the world. His acclaimed films have received recognition at the Moscow International Film Festival, Busan International Film Festival, and India’s National Film Awards. His continuing advocacy for regional cinema has also helped strengthen independent filmmaking in Northeast India.

Italian producer and international events organizer Lorenzo “Lello” Carvelli adds extensive experience in film production and international cultural events, including collaborations with the Cannes and Venice film festivals. Since moving further into filmmaking, Carvelli has worked on numerous international productions while remaining actively involved in developing new film and television projects across Europe.

Rounding out the Main Competition jury is cinematographer and filmmaker Dan Villegas, a three-time Balanghai trophy winner for Best Photography in 2008, 2010, and 2024.

Villegas made his directorial debut with the coming-of-age film Mayohan (Maytime) in 2010, which earned multiple honors at the 2010 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, including Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay, Best Music, and Best Actress. In 2025, he also received the prestigious Gawad Urian for his cinematography in Kono Basho.

The NETPAC Jury Members

The jury for the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC) Award will recognize an outstanding Asian film at this year’s Cinemalaya.

Serving on the panel are filmmaker and educator Alvin Yapan, Chinese filmmaker and film scholar Haolun Shu, and director, producer, and media executive Perci Intalan.

Together, their expertise in filmmaking, education, production, and Asian cinema reflects NETPAC’s continuing mission to promote exceptional cinematic voices from across the region.

Award-winning filmmaker Alvin Yapan is known for works that have earned recognition from the Gawad Urian, Cairo International Film Festival, and Philippine literary institutions. Beyond filmmaking, he continues to mentor young artists as a faculty member at Ateneo de Manila University.

Filmmaker and Shanghai Film Academy faculty member Haolun Shu brings an international academic and artistic perspective to the jury. His films have been screened and recognized at festivals across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. His work encompasses both documentary and fiction filmmaking, alongside his continuing contribution to film education in China.

Completing the NETPAC panel is Perci Intalan, whose extensive career as a director, producer, and co-founder of The IdeaFirst Company has championed Filipino stories that have resonated with audiences both locally and internationally. His longstanding connection with Cinemalaya includes producing and directing films that have earned NETPAC recognition and acclaim at international festivals.

Since 2005, Cinemalaya has served as an important meeting ground for filmmakers and audiences who believe in the transformative power of independent cinema. This year’s jury members continue that tradition by recognizing works that challenge conventions, push artistic boundaries, and contribute to the continuing evolution of Philippine and Asian cinema.

Longer Run, More Venues

Co-organized by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Cinemalaya Foundation, Inc., with support from the Film Development Council of the Philippines, the country’s pioneering independent film festival returns with a longer run from August 6 to 18, 2026.

Screenings will be held at Red Carpet Cinemas at Shangri-La Plaza, Gateway Cineplex, and select Ayala Malls Cinemas, including TriNoma, Manila Bay, Glorietta 4, Market! Market!, and Circuit.

A Nikkei Prize-winning film festival, Cinemalaya invites audiences to experience the continuing passion, creativity, and artistry of Philippine cinema through nine full-length films and 10 short films competing this year.

The festival is made possible through partnerships with Sony and Power Mac, along with media partners TV5 Network Inc. and Manila Bulletin.

Regular tickets for Cinemalaya film screenings are priced at Php350, while students can enjoy a discounted rate of Php250. A 20 percent discount is also available to senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), national coaches, and national athletes.

Tickets can be purchased online through the partner cinemas’ ticketing portals or at onsite ticket counters.

For the latest bundles, promotions, festival updates, and announcements, follow the official CCP and Cinemalaya social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.

For more information on ticket prices and the complete festival schedule, visit the official websites of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival.