The Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Cinemalaya Foundation Inc. have opened submissions for the Short Film Category of the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2026.

Submissions are open to all Filipino filmmakers. Each proponent may submit up to three short films, with only one entry eligible to be selected as a finalist. Eligible entries must have been produced between 16 May 2025 and 27 February 2026. Short films that have previously joined local or international festivals and competitions may be submitted.

Submissions may be made online or offline. Full mechanics, requirements, and submission procedures are available on the official CCP and Cinemalaya websites and through their verified social media accounts.

The deadline for submissions is 27 February 2026, at 6 p.m.

The Cinemalaya Selection Committee will shortlist 10 short films for screening at the 2026 Cinemalaya Film Festival, scheduled from 6 to 18 August 2026. The selected films will compete for Balanghai trophies.

Launched in 2005, Cinemalaya serves as a platform for Filipino independent filmmakers to present short and full-length works. The annual festival continues to program new films and introduce emerging filmmakers through its competition sections.

For full mechanics, visit the CCP website and the Cinemalaya website. Follow the official CCP and Cinemalaya social media accounts on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for more updates.