FDCP to mark 50 years of PH cinema's second golden age
By Neil Ramos
The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) will mark the 50th anniversary of the second golden age of Philippine Cinema with a month-long program of film screenings, festivals and industry events in September.
The Philippine Film Industry Month (PFIM) 2026, themed “Pelikula: Ginintuang Ikalawa,” will look back at the filmmakers and films associated with the period from the mid-1970s to the late 1980s while also highlighting new filmmakers and current developments in the local industry.
The month opens on Sept. 4 with a screening of the 4K digitally restored “Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang” (1974), directed by National Artist Lino Brocka, at Red Carpet Cinema in Shangri-La Plaza.
The opening event will also include the announcement of the Philippines’ entry to the 99th Academy Awards, or the Oscars, through the Film Academy of the Philippines.
Among the classic films scheduled for screening at FDCP Cinematheque Centres nationwide are Mike De Leon’s “Itim” (1976), Brocka’s “Insiang” (1976), Mario O’Hara’s “Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos” (1976), Lupita Aquino-Kashiwahara’s “Minsa’y Isang Gamu-Gamo” (1976), Eddie Romero’s “Ganito Kami Noon... Paano Kayo Ngayon?” (1976) and Ishmael Bernal’s “Nunal sa Tubig” (1976).
The Philippine Film Archive will also present “SineUna: Cinematic Action Before the War,” featuring surviving Filipino films made before World War II, including “Zamboanga” (1937), “Giliw Ko” (1939), “Tunay na Ina” (1939), “Pakiusap” (1940) and “Ibong Adarna” (1941).
At Cinematheque Centre Manila, “Reel to Real: Pelikula at Panayam” will feature Brocka’s “Jaguar” (1979) on Sept. 9, while the September edition of the Director’s Series will focus on Jeffrey Jeturian and screen “Tuhog” (2001) and “Kubrador” (2006) on Sept. 10.
The Manila venue will also host the world premiere of Mike Alcazaren’s documentary “Kodomo-tachi: Children of the War” on Sept. 17 and a screening of JP Habac’s “Olsen’s Day” on Sept. 19 as part of the Kapelikula program for JuanFlix subscribers.
Other PFIM events will take place in Intramuros and other parts of the country. The Intramuros Administration will co-present a screening of “Ganito Kami Noon... Paano Kayo Ngayon?” at Teatro, Fort Santiago, on Sept. 11.
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts will also present the newly digitally restored “Sister Stella L” (1984), directed by Mike De Leon, at the Metropolitan Theater on Sept. 20.
Cinematheque Centre Iloilo will hold a special “Pelikula ng Bayan” program from Sept. 10 to 23 featuring three films from the Bantayan Film Festival’s past decade.
The FDCP is also adding a new PFIM Short Film Competition this year, in partnership with the Film Academy of the Philippines, Metro Manila Film Festival and Quezon City Screen Commission. The competition will run from Sept. 11 to 23 at Cinematheque Centres nationwide.
The ninth edition of Sine Kabataan will feature 10 short films by young filmmakers from different parts of the country. The films will screen at Red Carpet Cinemas in Shangri-La from Sept. 18 to 20 before moving to FDCP Cinematheque Centres from Sept. 22 to 26.
The films are “A Dead Man’s Genesis” by Cyra Dematawaran, “Asa Mutugpa Ang Pag Lupad-Lupad (Where The Drifting Flight Comes To Rest)” by Emmanuel Pamaylaon, “Bato’ng Bunga (Stone Fruit)” by Elj Seth Tababa, “Hindi Pa Nag-Aagahan Si Tau” by Janno Pelias, “Ikalulunod Ko Ba Ang Paglangoy” by Lawrence Balingasa, “Inday’s Ark” by Alex Loygos, “Kurita (Octopus)” by Zechri Jacob Alvarez, “Piyesa” by Ryand Angelo Ugalde, “Titser, Titser!” by Franchesca Grace Pagatpat and “Yada Na Ta Busag Nga Vannn! (Here Comes The White Vannn!)” by Giomer Gulferic.
The Film Education Convention, or FilmEc, will also return on Sept. 25 and 26 at De La Salle University Manila. The convention, which debuted in 2024, will bring together film professionals, educators and enthusiasts for talks, workshops and student film screenings.
PFIM 2026 will close on Sept. 30 at Seda Vertis North in Quezon City, where the FDCP will hold its annual Parangal awards.
The Lifetime Achievement Award recipients are the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino, Vic Del Rosario, Hilda Koronel and Tito Genova Valiente.
Annual Achievement Awards will be given to Ryan Machado, Jorrybell Agoto, Ruby Ruiz and the women of “Enjoy Your Stay” (2025), including Mercedes Cabral, Anna Luna, Irma Adlawan, Donna Cariaga, Madeleine Nicolas and Hasmine Killip.
The closing ceremony will also recognize the Quezon City Screen Commission in connection with Quezon City’s designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Film.
The FDCP will announce the finalists of Isapelikula, its film incubator and match funding program, during the ceremony. Selected projects may receive production grants of up to P1 million.
Michael Sager and Aya Fernandez will host the closing program, which will feature performances by Sam Mangubat, Esang, AC Bonifacio, Kai Montinola and Jarren Garcia.
PFIM 2026 is part of the FDCP’s effort to revisit a defining period in Philippine cinema while providing venues for contemporary and emerging filmmakers