The cast and creative team behind 'Dreamboi.' Photograph by Jefferson Fernando for Daily Tribune
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'Dreamboi' dominates inaugural Cinesilip Film Festival 2025

Jefferson Fernando

The newly launched CineSilip Film Festival 2025, formerly known as the Vivamax Film Festival, has officially announced its first set of winners, celebrating a new wave of daring and emotionally resonant Filipino cinema.

Running in select theaters until 28 October, the festival recognized both emerging and seasoned filmmakers who continue to push the boundaries of storytelling in the local film industry.

Taking home the night’s highest honor was Dreamboi, which bagged the Best Film Award along with several major citations including Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Production Design, Best Sound, and the Audience Prize Award — cementing its status as this year’s biggest winner.

The festival’s runner-up films also made strong impressions: Pagdaong, a poignant drama that earned Angela Morena the Best Actress trophy, and Haplos sa Hangin, which won Best Screenplay and Best Actor for Martin del Rosario.

The CineSilip Film Festival continues the legacy of its predecessor by championing creativity and bold narratives, providing a platform for new voices in contemporary Filipino cinema.

Complete list of winners:

• Best Film: Dreamboi

• 2nd Best Film: Pagdaong

• 3rd Best Film: Haplos sa Hangin

• Best Director: Rodina Singh – Dreamboi

• Best Screenplay: Sonny Calvento & Mikko Baldoza – Haplos sa Hangin

• Best Actor: Martin Del Rosario – Haplos sa Hangin

• Best Actress: Angela Morena – Pagdaong

• Best Supporting Actor: Migs Almendras – Dreamboi

• Best Supporting Actress: Chloe Jenna – Maria Azama Best Porn Star

• Best Cinematography: Malay Javier – Dreamboi

• Best Editing: Arnex Nicolas – Dreamboi

• Best Production Design: Chippie Day Abando – Dreamboi

• Best Sound: Immanuel Verona & John Buquid – Dreamboi

• Audience Prize Award: Dreamboi

With Dreamboi emerging as the festival’s breakout film, the first-ever CineSilip Film Festival proves that bold storytelling, artistic experimentation, and authentic Filipino voices continue to define the future of Philippine cinema.