The Cinemalaya Foundation and the Cultural Center of the Philippines invite new and veteran Filipino filmmakers to submit their short film entries to the country’s largest independent film festival.
The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival is now accepting submissions for its Short Film Category. Filmmakers have until 6 PM on February 27, 2026, to submit their entries. Selected short films will be screened during the festival, which runs from August 6 to 18, 2026.
Open to both emerging and established Filipino filmmakers, the Short Film Category continues to be one of the most vital platforms for cinematic voices in the country. Last year at Cinemalaya 21, “The Next 24 Hours” won Best Film in the Short Film Category. Directed by Carl Joseph Papa, the animated short follows the immediate aftermath of a sexual assault, tracing a woman’s attempt to reclaim control over her body, her life, and her sense of safety—underscoring the festival’s long-standing commitment to powerful, socially resonant storytelling.
READ ALSO: A Round Up Of The Cinemalaya 21 Finalists
What Is Cinemalaya?
For over two decades, Cinemalaya has championed independent Filipino storytelling. The festival provides filmmakers with a space to boldly articulate and interpret the Filipino experience, often spotlighting stories and perspectives rarely seen in mainstream cinema.
Cinemalaya’s top prizes, the Balanghais, take their name from the pre-colonial boats of the Filipinos and symbolize the spirit of storytelling, exploration, and journey in independent Filipino films.
The festival is organized by the Cinemalaya Foundation, with the support of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).
How To Submit A Short Film To Cinemalaya 2026
The Short Film Category is open to all Filipino filmmakers. Participants may submit up to three entries, though only one film per proponent may be selected as a finalist. Eligible films must have been produced between May 16, 2025, and February 27, 2026, with a running time of no more than 20 minutes, including credits.
Submissions may be made online or offline. Full mechanics and submission links are available on the CCP and Cinemalaya official websites and social media pages.
Banner photo from “The Next 24 Hours.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Cinemalaya is the Philippines’ largest independent film festival, organized by the Cinemalaya Foundation with the support of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Running for over two decades, it provides a platform for Filipino filmmakers to tell bold, socially resonant stories rarely seen in mainstream cinema. Its top prizes, the Balanghais, are named after pre-colonial Filipino boats and symbolize storytelling and exploration.
The submission deadline for the Cinemalaya 2026 Short Film Category is February 27, 2026 at 6 PM. Submissions may be made online or offline, with full mechanics and links available on the official Cinemalaya and CCP websites and social media pages.
The Short Film Category is open to all Filipino filmmakers, both emerging and established. Participants may submit up to three entries, though only one film per proponent may be selected as a finalist. Eligible films must have been produced between May 16, 2025 and February 27, 2026, with a running time of no more than 20 minutes including credits.
Cinemalaya 2026 runs from August 6 to 18, 2026, at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Manila. Selected short films from the open call will be screened during the festival run alongside the full-length feature competition and other programming.
“The Next 24 Hours,” directed by Carl Joseph Papa, won Best Film in the Short Film Category at Cinemalaya 21. The animated short follows a woman’s attempt to reclaim control in the immediate aftermath of a sexual assault, and was recognized for its powerful and socially resonant storytelling — emblematic of the festival’s long-standing programming values.
