Eight filmmakers have secured a spot in the 2025 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival, each receiving a P3 million production grant to bring their films to life. After an intense selection process, these finalists will compete in the festival, which aims to support and showcase the talents of Filipino filmmakers.
The official entries for the full-length film category are: “Co-love,” Jill Singson Urdaneta; “Fleeting,” Catsi Catalan; “Food Delivery,” Baby Ruth Villarama; “Journeyman,” Christian Paolo Lat and Dominic Lat; “Olsen’s Day,” JP Habac; “Perlas sa Silangan,” TM Malones; “Sepak Takraw,” Mes De Guzman; and “Tagsibol,” Tara Illenberger.
Christian Lat for ‘Journeyman’
While the competition initially aimed to select seven finalists, the exceptional quality of submissions led the festival organizers to include an eighth entry. This decision was supported by Puregold President Vincent Co, who emphasized the festival’s role in elevating Philippine cinema.
Giving eight full-length stories a chance to be part of Puregold CinePanalo 2025 reflects the immense talent of Filipino filmmakers. We are committed to showcasing their vision, and we are confident that their work will contribute to the growth of Philippine cinema,” Co said.
The festival is also backed by partners such as CMB Film Services Inc., Terminal Six Post, Mowelfund Film Institute, the MTRCB and Gateway Cinemas, where the eight films will be screened.
The selection process was highly competitive, starting with multiple applicants nationwide. After an initial screening, 16 filmmakers advanced to a face-to-face pitch round. From there, only half were chosen to compete in the festival.
“These filmmakers went through a rigorous process, and making it this far is a testament to their dedication and creativity,” said Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, Senior Marketing Manager.
The 2025 selection committee included industry veterans like directors Jeffrey Jeturian and Emmanuel Dela Cruz, festival director Chris Cahilig, and Republic Creative Creations Inc. representatives.
“The success of last year’s CinePanalo pushed us to be meticulous in selecting this year’s finalists. We are proud to continue showcasing the best of Filipino filmmaking,” Cahilig noted.
The eight feature films will now vie for awards in various categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress. A special prize, the Always Panalo Film Award, will honor the film that best captures the festival’s theme of celebrating uplifting stories of the Filipino experience.
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