A farmer and his carabao on an unlikely journey to Manila. A romance that reaches into the netherworld. A young boy trying to make sense of growing up. An elderly widower, a kodokushi cleaner and a promise about grief.

These are just some of the stories waiting for moviegoers at this year’s CinePanalo, and the newly released posters offer the first visual taste of what’s to come.

The posters for the festival’s seven full-length films introduce not only their titles but the different moods and worlds that audiences can expect when the films screen in September.

There is magic and adventure in Lawrence Fajardo’s “Beast,” which follows an old farmer and his loyal carabao as they travel to Manila. The poster, designed by writer Jim Flores, hints at the film’s unusual journey and emotional core.

Then there’s Carl Joseph E. Papa’s “Patay Gutom,” starring Ian Pangilinan, which takes romance and family drama into supernatural territory. Filipino illustrator and film poster artist Denver Balbaboco gives the film a colorful, playful look that seems appropriate for a story involving the netherworld.

Balbaboco recently created the new cover art for The Criterion Collection’s release of Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein.”

Mikko Baldoza’s “Stuck On You” goes in another direction, mixing romance, danger and comedy. Its poster, designed by Liam Casimiro, reflects that collision with a bold and energetic visual treatment.

Thop Nazareno’s “Apol of My Ai” brings things down to a more intimate, coming-of-age story about a young boy dealing with the complications of growing up.

The poster by Jermaine Tulbo brings together the people, relationships and music that shape Apol’s world. Tulbo previously designed the poster for “Olsen’s Day,” one of the entries in the 2025 CinePanalo lineup.

In “Wantawsan,” Joseph Abello turns an ordinary errand into what appears to be anything but an ordinary day. Abello also designed the poster, giving the film an offbeat visual personality that matches its comic adventure.

The more contemplative side of the lineup comes through in BC Amparado’s “Mono No Aware.”

The film follows a Filipino kodokushi cleaner and an elderly widower whose promise to one another leads to a story about grief, family and the fleeting nature of life. Davao-based graphic designer and filmmaker Wowa Medroso created its restrained, evocative poster.

Medroso’s debut feature, “Kantil,” premiered at Cinemalaya.

Then there’s “Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo),” written and directed by Rodina Singh, which promises a romance with a rather unusual complication: one of the lovers is dead.

Multidisciplinary visual creative EA Rosana designed the poster, blending the haunting, funny and tender elements of the story. Rosana previously worked with Singh on the poster for “Dreamboi” and has also worked on projects involving girl group BINI.

Taken together, the seven posters make for quite a visual feast and a useful primer for the films themselves.

There’s the strange and surreal, the funny and romantic, the supernatural and the deeply human. If the posters are any indication, this year’s CinePanalo lineup isn’t interested in looking like seven versions of the same movie.

The seven filmmakers each received a ₱5 million production grant for their respective films.

CinePanalo 2026 runs from Sept. 23 to Oct. 4 at Gateway Cineplex 18, Trinoma, Fairview Terraces, Ayala Malls Feliz, Ayala Malls Circuit, Ayala Malls Manila Bay and Market! Market!