Once again, FIFTH WALL FEST gathers creative minds focused on movement through its 2024 iteration, “Edition V: The body is home.”
It is that time of the year when FIFTH WALL brings together movement-minded creatives for the FIFTH WALL FEST. This year, it is titled “Edition V: The body is home,” and runs from October 19-20. It will be held at the self-dubbed “FIFTH WALL HOUSE” at 35 Broadway Avenue, corner 9th Street, New Manila, Quezon City.

Who is behind the FIFTH WALL?
It was during the pandemic when founder, Madge Reyes launched the festival as an “at home” festival for dance films. It has since expanded over its four iterations, evolving into a multidisciplinary movement platform. Madge is an advocate of dance beyond the stage. Furthermore, she is a former Ballet Philippines soloist and Asian Cultural Council Fellow. Additionally, she continues to instill her practice as a performing artist who meanders between physical and digital platforms. Moreover, she is an independent dancer, choreographer, filmmaker, and programmer who is committed to presenting dance through non-traditional means. This brought her to establishing FIFTH WALL, the country’s pioneering international movement platform.

The platform shares that FIFTH WALL is an extension of her work, holding space for movement “that is crafted for the unconventional stage–meeting and bridging gaps through performance, film, exhibition, discussion, and more through its annual gathering, FIFTH WALL FEST.”



Dose of Pleasure with Alvin Collantes; Otmo with Alexander Whitley Dance Company; Tryst (Daloy Dance Company
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According to the company, “FIFTH WALL is the Philippines’ pioneering international movement platform dedicated to the presentation of dance through multidisciplinary experimentation. FIFTH WALL FEST is held annually every October with pop-up events throughout the year.” Furthermore, the festival has added a diverse range of art forms and experiences for its audience. These include films, performances, multimedia installations, and movement workshops.

ABT Studio Company Tours the Philippines (with Madge Reyes & Quintin Cu-Unjieng)
What is the fifth wall?
They add, “The ‘fifth wall’ is the imaginary barrier that guests pass once they exit a venue after a cultural experience and return to their everyday lives. With this namesake in mind, FIFTH WALL revolves around the idea of moving beyond the fifth wall in the hopes of reaching out to audiences, old and new, for a boundless celebration of dance from all angles®.”


Abutan man tayo ng house lights (Apa Agbayani); Rebirth (Lyle Nemenzo Sacris)
Madge shares why this fifth iteration holds a special place in her heart, “Each iteration of our festival has been a step forward, but Edition V feels particularly special. It’s more than a milestone; it’s a reflection of how far we’ve come, and a celebration of the body as home—not just as a place but as a feeling that exists within and between us.”

The Available Body (Alvin Collantes)
Breaking the fifth wall
Additionally, FIFTH WALL FEST presents a twist on its original “at home” format. The festival will be held at the historic residence of Narcisa ‘Doña Sisang’ V. Buencamino-de Leon. As the president of LVN Pictures, she helped define the first golden era of Philippine cinema. Her home was once the set for Giliw Ko (1939), and will be transformed into the FIFTH WALL HOUSE. Indeed, it is an unconventional venue that will offer a unique experience for the fifth edition’s audience. Moreover, it is set to break the fifth wall by “blurring the lines between artist and audience, stage and seating, body and home.”

Table For One, Please (Samantha Shay)
Furthermore, the audience is welcome to explore and wander as well as participate in the guided walking tours. The tours are led by Archivo 1984, which will focus on Filipino film history. The audience can look forward to discovering how each room in the house, including the garden, highlights the festival’s central theme, “the body is home.”
Edition V highlights
FIFTH WALL co-production and debut: “Anok”, a vegetative puppet show by Mark Salvatus, and a yet-to-be-named tactile large-scale photographic piece by Wawi Navarroza
New works by Corinne De San Jose (sound installation), Micaela Benedicto (sculpture), Tarzeer Pictures (visual installation)

DuEls (Jonas Åkerlund)
Asian premieres of the films: “DuEls” (Jonas Åkerlund with Damien Jalet & Erna Ómarsdóttir) and “Table For One, Please” (Samantha Shay). Plus the movement workshop “Dose of Pleasure” by Alvin Collantes with Hideki Ito
FIFTH WALL x Saan Saan exclusive scent “Quiet On The Set”
Local and international works
Performances: ((( O ))), Daloy Dance Company, Mari Dance, Somatosonic, crwn, Fiasfud
Visual Arts: Aze Ong, Lyle Nemenzo Sacris, Renzo Navarro, Carl Jan Cruz
Films: FIFTH WALL Competition winner and shortlist selection, “Abutan man tayo ng house lights” (Apa Agbayani), NOWNESS Asia selection, “Bayadiya” (Antonio Lantong Dagoc Jr., Miko Reyes, David Loughran and Gab Mejia)
Workshops: Alexander Whitley Dance Company (VR; supported by the British Council), MAGIS Creative Space (Movement)
Food: Auro Chocolate Cafe, Jabroni’s Pizza, Rebel Bakehouse, nawwTy’s kitchen, and Fiasfud
A festival for all, even pets
The platform shares that one purchased ticket will grant participants access to all programs within the premises, including films, performances, multimedia installations, and movement workshops that explore the idea of home as both a physical location and a state of being. They elaborate, “With something for everyone, FIFTH WALL welcomes individuals of all ages, and even their pets, to the exploration.”
Practical information for attendees
The FIFTH WALL FEST shares the following information to guide attendees:
The festival is designed to be enjoyed by attendees of all ages, making it a family-friendly event. Children (age 12 and below) can enter for free. However, a select number of performances and screenings may have age restrictions, and attendees will be notified in advance. Pets are also welcome on the festival grounds, provided they are on a leash and are cleaned up after their owners. While outside food and drinks are not permitted, there will be a variety of vendors inside the venue offering food and beverages. Cash payment will be accepted but cashless payments are encouraged. Additionally, street parking is available at your own discretion. The closest mall/pay parking area from the venue is Robinsons Magnolia.
FIFTH WALL FEST tickets are available at fifthwall.helixpay.ph. Registration for workshops can be added for free during checkout. Regular sale goes on from October 1-17. Walk-ins are welcome if space permits. For more details, visit fifthwall.ph/festival or follow @fifthwall.ph on social media. Terms and conditions apply.
The festival is supported by the British Council, Search Mindscape Foundation, Steps Scholarship Foundation, Steps Dance Studio, and Samsung. In partnership with NOWNESS Asia, Tarzeer Pictures, Archivo 1984, and Saan Saan. Special thanks to Aputure Philippines, Minsan Studio, Helix Pay, Guijo Studios, nawwTy’s kitchen, and Kodawari.
Photos courtesy of FIFTH WALL FEST.