As the Philippine film industry continues to thrive and inspire, the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival emerges once again as a shining beacon for both established and budding filmmakers. With its theme “Bigger Dreams, Bolder Visions,” the 2025 edition of the festival promises to deliver a remarkable showcase of creativity, talent, and stories that resonate with Filipino audiences.
Filmmakers set to participate in the 2025 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival were recently introduced at a press conference at the Artson Events Place in Quezon City. Building on the success of last year’s festival, the 2025 edition is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated events in the Philippine film industry calendar.
A significant draw of the festival is the generous production grants. In its 2025 run, Puregold CinePanalo awarded eight winning filmmakers grants of ₱3,000,000 each, alongside grants of ₱150,000 each for twenty-four student filmmakers. These grants empower filmmakers to create compelling stories that resonate with the theme, “Mga Kwentong Panalo ng Buhay.”
During the press conference, festival organizers and representatives from partners such as the MTRCB, Gateway Cineplex 18, Mowelfund, Terminal Six, CMB Films, and MFP Rentals gathered to welcome this year’s participants. Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, senior marketing manager for Puregold, expressed her enthusiasm: “After an intensely competitive application period, these directors came out on top of the heap. We know they will produce excellent, gripping work, and we can’t wait to share these with the viewing public at the upcoming festival.”
This year’s Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival is set to showcase an incredible array of films directed by some of the most talented names in the industry. From gripping dramas to heartwarming tales, the 2025 CinePanalo lineup promises to tug at heartstrings and spark conversations. Among the much-anticipated entries are:
- Mes de Guzman directing Sepak Takraw, starring Enzo Osorio, Nicollo Castillo, Ruby Ruiz, and Acey Aguilar.
- JP Habac helming Olsen’s Day, featuring Khalil Ramos, Romnick Sarmenta, and child actor Xander Nuda.
- Tara Illenberger directing Tigkiliwi, starring Ruby Ruiz, Gabby Padilla, and Julian Paul Larroder.
- Christian Paolo Lat & Dominic Lat collaborating on Journeyman, starring JC Santos and Jasmine Curtis-Smith.
- TM Malones working on Salum, with Allen Dizon and Christine Mary Dimaisip.
- Jill Singson Urdaneta directing Co-Love, featuring KD Estrada, Alexa Ilacad, Jameson Blake, and Kira Balinger.
- Baby Ruth Villarama presenting the festival’s first-ever documentary, Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea.
- Catsi Catalan, making her directorial debut with Fleeting, starring Janella Salvador and RK Bagatsing.
Also highlighted at the event were twenty-four student filmmakers from universities across the Philippines, showcasing a wide range of creative voices:
- Adelbert Abrigonda (Polytechnic University of the Philippines) – Dan, En Pointe
- Allan M. Balance Jr. (Polytechnic University of the Philippines) – Cancer Din Ang Zodiac Sign Mo?
- Angel Allizon Cruz (University of Santo Tomas) – Dito, Dati
- Roniño Dolim (University of Eastern Philippines) – Sine-Sine
- Kenneth Flores (Far Eastern University) – 1… 2… Strike!!!
- Austine Rae R. Fresnido (FAITH Colleges) – Sa Susunod Sisikat si Susan
- Clyde Cuizon Gamale (University of the Philippines) – Champ Green
- Bjorn M. Herrera (Central Philippine University) – Nanay’s Frankenstein
- Maria Eleanor P. Javier (University of the Philippines Visayas) – Mother at Sixty
- Ivan Gentolizo representing Mae Malaya (University of the Philippines) – Sisenta!
- Ira Corinne Esquerra Malit (University of Caloocan City) – SamPie
- Naiah Nicole Mendoza (Polytechnic University of the Philippines) – Taympers
- Vhan Marco B. Molacruz (Colegio de San Juan de Letran) – Uwian
- Jadrien Morales (University of the Philippines) – Let’s Go Somewhere Else
- Regene Narciso (Dalubhasaan ng Lunsod ng San Pablo) – Papunta Ka Pa Lang, Naka-Bounce Na Ako
- Alexie Nicole Pardo (Polytechnic University of the Philippines) – Checkmate
- Kieth Earl B. Rebaño (University of the Philippines Visayas) – Daeaura
- John Lester Rimorin (University of the Philippines) – Japan Surplus
- Jose Andy Sales (University of San Carlos) – G!
- Mark Joseph Sanchez (Polytechnic University of the Philippines) – Our One and Only Bab(o)y
- Aubrey Soriano (Polytechnic University of the Philippines) – Si Nadia at ang Kanyang mga Kuro-Kuro
- Jasper Tan (Far Eastern University) – Sa Pagbunga
- Johannes Tejero (University of San Carlos) – Daog, Pildi
- Sean Rafael A. Verdejo (National University Laguna) – Dela Cruz, Juan P.
With such a dynamic and diverse lineup, the 2025 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival promises to be a must-see celebration of Philippine cinema. The completed films will be screened at Gateway Cineplex 18 from March 14 to 25, 2025.
