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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Movies and TV devider CinePanalo 2026 removes theme, previous genre restrictions on festival entries

CinePanalo 2026 removes theme, previous genre restrictions on festival entries

Published Aug 29, 2025 06:45 pm
'Salum' told the story of a man’s obsessive search for a pearl to ease his family’s financial struggles.
'Salum' told the story of a man’s obsessive search for a pearl to ease his family’s financial struggles.

The third edition of the prestigious Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival is once again open to aspiring filmmakers, this time without imposing restrictions on genre, topic, or theme. In previous years, the festival centered on wholesome, inspiring stories crafted with the theme “mga kwentong panalo ng buhay.”

For Puregold CinePanalo 2026, all applicants are encouraged to be creativewith their theme choices. To grant them creative freedom to do their best work, the festival will accept film genres that were previously unrepresented—horror, suspense, crime, and fantasy. As long as the pitch offers a potential for excellence, it’s welcome at the Puregold CinePanalo.

'Journeyman' received praise for the excellent performances put on by JC Santos and Jasmine Curtis-Smith.
'Journeyman' received praise for the excellent performances put on by JC Santos and Jasmine Curtis-Smith.

Puregold senior marketing manager and festival chair Ivy Hayagan-Piedad spoke on the decision to change the mechanics for this year’s festival. “Sa unang dalawang taon ng CinePanalo, nakita namin kung gaano kalalim ang pagmamahal at gaano kauhaw ang ating Filipino filmmakers na magkwento ng ibang pananaw. This year, we’re opening the festival to all genres and themes to showcase stories that are reflective of that diverse voice and creativity,” says Hayagan-Piedad.

On top of the unprecedented creative opportunity, this year’s Puregold CinePanalo also goes the extra mile with the financial grants on offer. Seven full-length film directors will receive Php5 million each, the largest production grant in Philippine film festival history, while twenty student filmmakers will receive P200,000 each.

Khalil Ramos was recognized as one of two Best Actor awardees for his titular role in 'Olsen’s Day.'
Khalil Ramos was recognized as one of two Best Actor awardees for his titular role in 'Olsen’s Day.'

Interested participants may now submit their applications online.

Full-length filmmakers can download the contest mechanics and application forms at https://tinyurl.com/PCPFFFullApp. Meanwhile, here’s the link for the student short category: https://tinyurl.com/PCPFFShortsApp.

Applications for the full-length category close on 11:59 p.m., Sept. 10, 2025. Student short applications will close on 11:59 p.m., Nov. 25, 2025.

The directors selected to participate in the upcoming festival will have their films screened at Gateway Cineplex 18 from Aug. 7 to 18, 2026.

For inquiries, potential applicants may email [email protected] or message its official Facebook page @puregoldcinepanalo.

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