Wilson Tieng, founder of Sinag Maynila Film Festival, poses with the participants for this year's edition. (Images by Erickson Dela Cruz)

The highly anticipated Sinag Maynila Film Festival is back for its seventh edition, celebrating the best of contemporary Filipino filmmaking.

Five full-length features, documentaries, and short films from both established and rising Filipino filmmakers were presented during a media conference held at Gateway Mall in Araneta City on Aug. 20. All official finalist films will be screened in select Metro Manila theaters from Sept. 24-30, 2025.

Founded by Solar Entertainment President Wilson Tieng and Cannes International Film Festival Best Director Brillante Mendoza, Sinag Maynila continues its mission to provide a platform for stories that are uniquely Filipino. 

Sinag Maynila continues its tradition of empowering Filipino filmmakers, receiving a record number of submissions from across the country. Wilson Tieng, the festival’s founder, shared his enthusiasm for the overwhelming response. "The enthusiasm from the filmmaking community is exactly what Sinag Maynila is all about," Tieng said.

"We are thrilled to continue our advocacy for 'Sine Lokal, Pang-International' and provide a space where these talented individuals can share their work with a wider audience," added Mendoza.

Sinag Maynila 2025 will be screened in Gateway, Robinsons Manila, Robinsons Antipolo, SM Mall of Asia, and SM Fairview. The festival organizers have pegged the price of admission at only Php 250 per ticket. 

Wilson Tieng (seated), founder of Sinag Maynila Film Festival, poses with four of the five directors for the full-length features category.

In competition are the following official finalists: 

For the full-length feature films, the coming of age drama, “Candé” by Kevin Pison Piamonte starring Gian G. Pomperada, JC Santos, and Sunshine Teodoro; the suspense horror “Jeongbu“ directed by Topel Lee starring Aljur Abrenica, Ritz Azul, and Empress Schuck; the drama “Madawag Ang Landas Patungong Pag-Asa” (The Teacher) by Joel Lamangan starring Rita Daniela, Jak Roberto, and Albie Casino; the action drama “Selda Tres” (Cell Number 3) by GB Sampedro starring Carla Abellana, JM de Guzman, and Cesar Montano; and the drama “Altar Boy” by Serville Poblete and starring Mark Bacolcol, Shai Barcia, and Pablo S.J. Quiogue.

For the documentary section included in the Open call category are “Bai” by Dimae "Ben" Holzhauer, “Embo Between Two Cities” by Charles Kirby Fabellon, “Mga Bayaning Ayta” (Ayta Heroes) by Donnie Sacueza, and “Oscar's Recipe” by Giovanni Piolo V. Rayla. In the documentary student category are “Alon Likha” (Waves of Creation) by Deanne Marie S. Idanan, “Ballasiwen Ti Pinagbiyag” (Across The Divide) by Ahron Cula, “Daungan Ng Mga Naghihintay” (Where The Waiting Docks) by Kaila Arvi B. Ariston, “Kaliwa” (Kaliwa: The Dam) Jade Oraa, “Pagtipig” (Keeping) by Reutsche Colle Lima, “Pendiyente” by Zyra Mae Plegaria, “PDL 000 “ by Zechri Jacob L. Alvarez, “Puno’t Dulo Ng Bahaghari” (Beginning And End Of The Rainbow) by Kyle Dexter Millave, “Romeo And Julie” by Ysamae Yrrah Carelo and Edward John Louis Factes, “Sa Wakas, Kasama” (Finally, With You) by Janno Pelias, and “Tuninong Na Pagpayaba” (Silent Love) by Lorenz Adler A. Villamor.

For the short films, the lineup for the Open Call category includes “Ang Babayi sa Suba” (The Woman From The River) by Jonathan Jurilla, “Ang Gadya Sang Suba” (The Tale Of The River Monster) by Daniel de la Cruz, “Defectives” by Jalen Buenaseda, “Hello, Mr. Jenkins” by Gian Arre & Flo Reyes, “Kataw” by Alyssa Ashley Manugas, “Lip Sync Assassin” by Jon Galvez, “Muli Na Ka, Merlie” (Merlie, Go Home) by Shane David, “Nagahanaw Na Mga Aninipot” (Vanishing Fireflies) by JP Corton, “Open Time” by Mark Moneda, “Parapo” (Stop!) by Jhonny Bobier, “Sa Pwesto ni Pistong” (The Barber’s Chair) by VinJo Entuna, “Si Sir kag ang Gamay nga Bata” (Sir And The Kid) by Seb Valdez, “Together” by Blasgil C. Tanquilut, “Transients” by Kyla Danelle Romero, “Walk with Jesus” by Redh Honoridez, and “Walo-walo: Walo ka Adlaw nga Kanay, Walo ka Adlaw nga Labugay” (Sea Krait: Eight Days of Calm, Eight Days of Turbulence) by Mery Grace Rama-Mission. 

Included in the lineup of short films students category are “50/50” (FIFTY/ FIFTY) by  Kien Manuntag, “Akin Ang Buhok Ko” (My Hair Is Mine) by Luke Salazar, “Alimuom” (Petrichor) by Yasmin Andrea Chan, “Alingawngaw” (Dissonance) by Marco Bravo, “Ang Luha Ay Bahagi Ng Karagatan” (Tears Are Part Of The Ocean) by Ryner Viray, “Bisa” (Power You Hold) by Sabrina San Juan & Jan Nicole Nieves, “Boi” by Luke Del Castillo, “Forty-Nine, Fifty” by Johnfil Crisjim Nunez, “In Case You Miss It” by Jadrien Morales, “Ipon-Ipon” by John Rev A. Remo, “Kadigaguman” (Echo) by  Zarrina Fernandez, “Lado” (Rotten Coconut) by John Rey De La Cruz, “Mga Aningal Sa Taguangkan” (Echoes From The Womb) by Rovic Lopez, “MIK-AP” (Make-Up) by Justiny Sayson, “Nostalgia” by Aries C. Ferrer, “Opportunity” by Eunice Sy, “Puhon” (Someday) by Lady Princes A. Tero, “Sa Humba Nimo” (Your Humba) by Allen Joshua S. Trinidad, “Si Balong At Si Doro” (Balong And Doro) by Jenser Recosana, “Taga-Taga” (Praying Mantis) by Trini Archie V. Garcia, “The Night is Alive” by Vincent Ibut, “Through The Viewfinder” by Charlie Garcia Vitug, “Tinigom” (Savings) by Keith Nemenzo, “Una’t Huling Inuman” (First And Last Drinking Session) by Dominic Rivera, and “Walahanon” (Left) by Kristal Kaye C. Tadle.