Why Cinemalaya must match fearless stories with flawless craft
The Philippines will never out-Netflix Netflix and we should not even try.
ELENITA Elena Elaine.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF CINEMALAYA
Daily TribuneThe Philippines will never out-Netflix Netflix and we should not even try.
ELENITA Elena Elaine.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF CINEMALAYA
Twenty-two years ago, Cinemalaya needed a vessel to survive. This year, it chose a diver instead.
Festival director Chris Millado explained at the recent press conference that for the first time since the festival began in 2005, the iconic balangay is no longer moving.
“It is moored,” he said. In its place is “a diver swimming toward the surface.”
The symbolism could not be timelier. “That’s us going deep into memory, into trauma, into joy, into the parts of our consciousness that we don’t usually post on social media,” Millado added. “And what are we bringing back? Footage, faces, stories that would languish if we didn’t dive for them.”
That image perfectly captures what Cinemalaya has become. For more than two decades, it has been the country’s premier platform for independent filmmaking, giving voice to stories that dissect our politics, question our institutions, examine our identity, and challenge audiences to confront uncomfortable truths. As a film enthusiast, I have always depended on Cinemalaya to feed my soul — it is where Filipino cinema is consistently at its bravest.
Beyond survival
But after 22 years, survival is no longer enough.
Film Development Council of the Philippines chair Jose Javier Reyes acknowledged the shifting landscape at the press conference, warning that “we are at that very critical point in the history of Philippine cinema that it is not only a matter of persistence, but a matter of existence and survival.”
His response, however, was not to fear streaming or technological disruption. Instead, he challenged filmmakers to evolve: “We must be innovative, we must think out of the box, and we must think global.”
I would go a step further. Technology is not the greatest threat to Philippine cinema; creative complacency is.
The Philippines will never out-Netflix Netflix, and we should not even try. What has always distinguished Cinemalaya is its refusal to chase formulas. Independent filmmakers have consistently proven that originality remains our greatest competitive advantage. As Reyes himself noted, they are the ones “who think out of the box, who defy convention, but more so, push the very value of the existence of the Filipino creative.”
The craft behind the message
That originality, however, must be matched by craftsmanship. The more urgent the message, the stronger the storytelling must be.
A film may carry profound political ideas or piercing social commentary, but if the execution falters, so does its ability to move audiences. The message deserves a cinematic language equal to its ambition.
This year’s competition presents only nine full-length films instead of the usual ten, after one finalist reportedly failed to meet the festival deadline. If anything, this serves as a stark reminder that independent films should never feel rushed. We should demand works that not only challenge us intellectually but also restore our confidence in the sheer technical execution of the Filipino creative.
Cinema thrives on conversation
Just as important is the culture of discourse that Cinemalaya has long encouraged. Independent films are not fragile objects that should be shielded from criticism; they invite it. Reviews, debates, and differing interpretations are the lifeblood of a healthy film culture. Without criticism, conversations about cinema disappear — and without conversation, films fade far more quickly than they should.
It is this very need for meaningful dialogue that makes Chris Millado’s closing remarks linger long after the press conference. “The question is no longer just, ‘How do we survive?’” he challenged. “We’re also asking, ‘What kind of country are we saving for?’”
That, ultimately, is the challenge before Cinemalaya today. It is no longer simply about enduring. It is about leading Philippine cinema forward through fearless storytelling, exceptional filmmaking, and the kind of urgent conversations that refuse to end when the credits roll.
The 22nd Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival runs from 6 to 18 August at Red Carpet Cinemas at Shangri-La Plaza, with screenings also at select Ayala Malls and Gateway Cineplex.