Cinemalaya 2025: Stories That Shake, Stir, and Stay With You
From ghosts of history to queer love stories, from courtroom battles to tales of belonging, this year’s Cinemalaya 2025 Full-Length Films dive into truth, identity, memory, and resilience. Catch 10 powerful features from bold Filipino storytellers across select cinemas from October 3–12, 2025.
1. Bloom Where You Are Planted
by Noni Abao | 82 min | Documentary
Three land rights activists in Cagayan Valley struggle with exile, prison, and death amid repression.
Cast: Documentary subjects Agnes, Amanda, Randy.
2. Child No. 82 (Son of Boy Kana)
by Tim Rone Villanueva | 110 min | Dramedy/Fantasy
A teen must prove he’s the 82nd child of a late action-fantasy star to see his father’s body.
Cast: JM Ibarra, Rochelle Pangilinan-Solinap, Vhong Navarro, Irma Adlawan, Inah Evans, Zairene Fernandez, Dexter Doria, Kai Montinola.
3. Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan (As the Hydra Devours History)
by Dustin Celestino | 120 min | Existential Drama
Four Filipinos confront fading memory and truth in a country devoured by disinformation.
Cast: Dolly de Leon, Jojit Lorenzo, Zanjoe Marudo, Mylene Dizon.
4. Cinemartyrs
by Sari Dalena | 104 min | Drama
A filmmaker recreates forgotten massacres, awakening spirits and exposing unresolved traumas.
Cast: Nour Hooshmand, Paul Cedric Juan, Raquel Villavicencio, Angel Aquino, Lav Diaz, Kidlat Tahimik, Ligaya Amilbangsa, Soliman Cruz, Bong Cabrera, Laila Ulao, Giancarlo Abrahan, Iana Bernardez, Nor Domingo, Danny Palisa, Andre Miguel, Victor Medina, Yian Gabriel, Kobe Sanchez, Shane Bernabe, Roven Alejandro, Nelson Dino, Rob Rownd, Dax Alejandro, Air Salazar, Dexter Macaraeg, Emmanuel Dela Cruz, Rolando Inocencio.
5. Open Endings
by Nigel Santos | 110 min | Drama/Romance/LGBTQIA+
Four queer women, once lovers and now best friends, navigate love, grief, and chosen family.
Cast: Janella Salvador, Klea Pineda, Leanne Mamonong, Jasmine Curtis-Smith.
6. Padamlágan (Night Light)
by Jenn Romano | 90 min | Period Drama
After the 1972 Colgante Bridge collapse in Naga, a father desperately searches for his son.
Cast: Ely Buendia, Esteban Mara, Sue Prado, Floyd Tena, Mildren Anne Estela, Frank Peñones.
7. Paglilitis (A Trial)
by Cheska Marfori | 90 min | Drama
A woman takes her wealthy boss to court years after workplace harassment, facing public backlash.
Cast: Rissey Reyes-Robinson, Eula Valdez, Leo Martinez, Jackie Lou Blanco, Sid Lucero, Bombi Plata, Rolando Inocencio, Cherry Malvar, Barbara Miguel.
8. Raging
by Ryan Machado | 110 min | Drama
A teen’s silence after abuse collides with the mystery of a vanished plane crash in 1990s Romblon.
Cast: Elijah Canlas, Ron Angeles, Reynald Raisel Santos, Glenn Sevilla Mas.
9. Republika ng Pipolipinas (Republic of Pipolipinas)
by Renei Dimla | 105 min | Mockumentary
A farmer renounces citizenship and builds her own micronation to resist government land-grabbing.
Cast: Geraldine Villamil, Alessandra de Rossi, Kakki Teodoro, Natalie Maligalig, JM Salvado, Bon Lentejas, Lian Silverio, Shun Mark Gomez, Mitzi Comia, Yian Gabriel, Brylle Parzuelo, Sigrid Polon, Sisa Bernardo, Antonio Vasquez, Xiao Chua, Chad Kinis.
10. Warla
by Kevin Alambra | 90 min | Social Drama
A young trans woman finds family in a gang funding surgeries through kidnappings—until she questions the cost of belonging.
Cast: Jervi Wrightson, Lance Reblando, Serena Magiliw, Valeria Ortega, Jacky Woo, Dimples Romana.
Festival Venues & Dates
Shangri-La Plaza (Red Carpet Cinemas 1, 2, 3, Premiere): Oct. 3–12
Gateway Mall (Cinemas 11, 12, 16, 17): Oct. 4–12
Ayala Malls Manila Bay: Oct. 4–12
Market! Market!: Oct. 4–12
Ayala Malls Circuit: Oct. 4–12
U.P. Town Center: Oct. 4–12
Showtimes by venue and day are posted on the Cinemalaya Facebook page.
