Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival continues to solidify its place as a vital platform for Filipino cinema by inspiring both established and budding filmmakers to bring their visions to life.
Building on last year’s success, the 2025 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival was launched on Friday with a promise to be a vibrant celebration of Filipino filmmaking, with a bigger lineup of filmmakers and entries that resonate with diverse audiences.
One of the festival’s main draws is its generous production grants, with millions of pesos awarded to deserving participants. For 2025, eight filmmakers received grants of P3 million each, while 24 student filmmakers were provided P150,000 each. These substantial incentives encourage participants to craft inspiring stories under the theme, “Mga Kwentong Panalo ng Buhay.”
Festival organizers and partners, including MTRCB, Gateway Cineplex 18, Mowelfund, Terminal Six, CMB Films, and MFP Rentals, were present to welcome this year’s filmmakers. Puregold senior marketing manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad expressed enthusiasm for the festival’s diverse roster of talent, remarking, “After an intensely competitive application period, these directors came out on top. We know they will produce excellent, gripping work, and we can’t wait to share these with the public.”
The festival will showcase a mix of seasoned and emerging directors. Among the notable entries is Sepak Takraw by Mes de Guzman, starring Enzo Osorio, Nicollo Castillo, Ruby Ruiz, and Acey Aguilar.
JP Habac’s Olsen’s Day features Khalil Ramos, Romnick Sarmenta, and child actor Xander Nuda.
Ruby Ruiz takes center stage again in Tigkiliwi by Tara Illenberger, alongside Gabby Padilla and Julian Paul Larroder.
for the 2025 Puregold CinePanalo
Christian Paolo Lat and Dominic Lat’s Journeyman stars JC Santos and Jasmine Curtis-Smith, while TM Malones directs Salum with Allen Dizon and Christine Mary Dimaisip.
Jill Singson Urdaneta’s Co-Love brings together KD Estrada, Alexa Ilacad, Jameson Blake, and Kira Balinger.
The 2025 edition is also a year of firsts for the young festival. Baby Ruth Villarama’s Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea becomes the festival’s first documentary entry, while producer Catsi Catalan makes her directorial debut with Fleeting, starring Janella Salvador and RK Bagatsing.
Adding youthful energy to the festival are 24 student filmmakers representing universities across the country. Their projects range from tales of triumph to imaginative narratives, further cementing Puregold CinePanalo’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent.
The festival will run from March 14 to 25 at Gateway Cineplex 18.