Cinemalaya film fest opens at Shangri-La Plaza

The 21st Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival has commenced at Shangri-La Plaza, featuring screenings across various Metro Manila cinemas.

Due to ongoing renovations at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Cinemalaya is utilizing temporary venues, including Shangri-La Plaza's Red Carpet Cinemas in Mandaluyong City, with screenings running from October 3 to 12.

Additional partner venues include Ayala Malls Cinemas and Gateway Cineplex, extending the festival's reach.

The opening ceremony, hosted by actress-singer Julia Clarete, preceded the screening of the Indian film 'Ha Lyngkha Bneng (The Elysian Field)' on October 3.

With the theme 'Layag sa Alon, Hangin, at Unos,' the festival's entries are described as capturing movements through space and time, serving as a metaphor for resilience, creativity, and courage in Filipino cinema.

Organizers stated that Cinemalaya promises to be a vessel for top-tier visual storytelling that ignites imagination and amplifies diverse voices in cinema.