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Fifteen promising titles have made it to the shortlist of Puregold CinePanalo 2026, a lineup that the organizers call the festival’s most competitive lineup yet.
The entries, drawn from a mix of emerging filmmakers and acclaimed industry veterans, will vie for seven coveted slots. Each of the chosen directors will receive a production grant of P5 million—the largest in Philippine film festival history.
The Top 15 full-length contenders are: Ennui by Alpha Habon, Pasilyo by Allen Galindo, Gods and Thieves by Tyrone Acierto, Apol of My Ai by Thop Nazareno, Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo) by Rodina Singh, And There Was Silence by Jonathan Jurilla, Wantawsan by Joseph Abello, Stuck on You by Mikko Baldoza, Mono No Aware by BC Amparado, Ang Lalakeng Lumuluha ng Perlas by Khavn, Beast by Lawrence Fajardo, I’ve Seen Where It Ends by JP Habac, Aripuen by Christopher Gozum, Patay Gutom (Dead Hungry) by Carl Papa and Ian Pangilinan, and Catch Me If You Stan by Rayn Brizuela.
Festival chair and Puregold senior marketing manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad said the 2026 lineup signals a new chapter for the event. “Only three years in, we’ve earned the attention and trust of some of the country’s most important filmmakers,” she said.
Puregold CinePanalo has gained international recognition for producing acclaimed works, including Kurt Soberano’s Under a Piaya Moon, Sigrid Bernardo’s Pushcart Tales, TM Malones’ Salum, and JP Habac’s Olsen’s Day, which have screened in film festivals across Pakistan, Morocco, Singapore, and the United States.
The 15 filmmakers will pitch their projects to the selection committee before the final seven are announced. The chosen films will premiere at the 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival, set for Aug. 7 to 18 at Gateway Cineplex 18 in Quezon City.
Meanwhile, applications for the student shorts category remain open until Nov. 25 through tinyurl.com/PCPFFShorts.
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