FILIPINO filmmakers receive a significant lift as Puregold CinePanalo 2026 sets a new milestone, unveiling the biggest production grants in the history of Philippine film festivals.
Now on its third run, CinePanalo will feature seven full-length directors, each awarded 5 million pesos, alongside 20 student filmmakers who will get 200,000 pesos each.
Speaking with a media, Puregold senior marketing manager and CinePanalo chair Ivy Hayagan-Piedad explained how raising the grants aligns with the festival’s long-term goals.
“CinePanalo is our launchpad for the new breed of Philippine cinema. By providing more funds, we may now challenge our filmmakers to break every boundary of narrative, style, and genre,” she said.
With that, Piedad and the entire CinePanalo team are embracing a diverse range of entries and genres, placing no limitations, and encouraging filmmakers to fully express their creativity and help uplift the local film industry.
“All narrative and genre restrictions are being lifted. Craft and excellence will be the new focal point of the festival,” Piedad enthusiastically shared.
“Puregold CinePanalo is thus encouraging participants to explore a wider range of stories and styles for their entries — from cerebral thrillers to whimsical young romances to more complex stories with intricate plot turns.”
“The door is open for all types of films at this year’s Puregold CinePanalo. Let us all demonstrate the full breadth of the local film industry,” she added.
How to Join?
Those interested in joining the 2026 Puregold CinePanalo festival must begin by completing an online application form.
Required materials include signed terms and conditions, a synopsis and logline, a completed screenplay, the director’s resume with links to sample works, two recent photos of the director, the director of photography, a list of producers, and an assistant director.
The full-length film category is open to both professional and amateur filmmakers aged 18 and above. Submissions must be received by September 10, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
On October 1, a shortlist of 30 applicants will be announced. These shortlisted participants must then submit an initial pitch deck by October 8. By October 15, 15 finalists will be selected to pitch their ideas to festival organizers from October 22 to 23.
Meanwhile, submissions for the student short film category close on November 25 at 11:59 p.m. To qualify, applicants must be at least 15 years old and currently enrolled in school during the festival period in August 2026.
A certificate of enrollment for SY 2025–2026 is required. The final list of selected student filmmakers will be revealed on February 1.
All completed films from both categories will be showcased at Gateway Cineplex 18 during the 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival, happening from August 7 to August 18, 2026.
