Championing the best of Filipino alternative storytelling, the Gawad Alternatibo Para sa Pelikula at Video returns this 2025 to spark curiosity, creativity, and conversations with its theme Pasiklab.
Established in 1987, Gawad Alternatibo is the longest film competition in the country and Asia, harvesting the best of Philippine films competing in various categories Narrative, Experimental, Documentation, and Animation.
Now in its 37th year, Gawad Alternatibo reaffirms its commitment to provide a platform for emerging and established Filipino filmmakers who dare to challenge conventions and tell stories that evoke critical reflection, cultural discourse, and social transformation.
NARRATIVE CATEGORY
In the Narrative Category, competing films include: IF I WERE A VOICE by Denbert M. Tiamson; NO MORE CRYING by John Peter Chua; LAGLAG by Gian Carlo Ducusin; CHAMP GREEN by Clyde Cuizon Gamale; MVP by Gerard Christoffe G. Reyes (Getty Reyes); WHAT REMAINS WARM by Dexter Paul De Jesus and Drexler Jaramel; SI BALONG AT SI DORO by Jenser Recosanna; ANG PAGBUKOD NI MELMEL by Nathaniel Amor Turingan; PIETA by Dylan Margarette Cerio and Johnfil Crisjim Nunez; ANG PAGBABALIK NI MAX BUWAYA by John Luke Miraflor; MARIA by Chris Jan Vergara; METAPORA by Renil Frankie Badango; ANGELA AND HER DYING LOLA by Mark Terence Molave; HINDI LAHAT NG PARUPARO LUMILIPAD by Angelo Fernando and Corlisse Nicolas; and HOY! PRADAH KO ‘YAN! by Myka Jeanell Arabit.
ANIMATION CATEGORY
Participating films for the Animation category are: PASTIL: PAREHAS RA TA’G KAN-ON’G GINAKAON by Andrei Francis C. Arrocena; BALETE TRIO by Charlize Corda Formaran; NAGAHANAW NA MGA ANINIPOT by JP Corton; SA HUMBA NIMO by Allen Joshua S. Trinidad, Janelle Ruth Q. Samaniego, Earl Holden C. Bueno, and Sophia Christiensen Amihan C. Asupan; PARADISE by Rose Dianalou M. Cruzat; UNRAVELLED by Sofia Bianca Chua, Maria Isabella Patricia Manaloto, and Avryll Nartates; MY BEST PEN’CIL’ by Mike Angelo J. Matos and Fernando Jose F. Lazaro; INBITUIN by Ronald Recalde Jr. and Jhon Michel Simon; OPPORTUNITY by Eunice Sy; FLY, MY DEAR by Mary Angel Adelle Dizon; PULANG ANGUI by Mary Jenica L. Robles; BARANGAY SAN BARTOLOME by Yna Marie V. Cabello; THE NAUGHTY AND THE HUNGRY by Mark Ellison Dimzon Mungca; WHAT IF THERE IS NOTHING IN THE END by Jesus Christopher Gallegos; and FARTHER, CLOSER, FARTHER by Jillian Abby D. Santiago.
EXPERIMENTAL CATEGORY
Films in contention for the Experimental category are: A TENDER AWAKENING by Daphnee Ferrer; BATIB_T by Carlo M. Gula; GENESIS by Jay Borilla; HINIMO KA GIKAN SA YUTA, UG SA YUTA KA PAULI by Reyjie Gabriel Rosique (Gab Rosique); NAKAKAPAGPABAGABAG KAPAG KINAKABAG KA by Earl Justin Cruz; PARAPO by Jhonny Bobier; ANG SAAD NGA BUGAS by Mikone Joshua Calungsod; TIRIK by Victor Emmanuel Carmelo P. Nadera II Victor Emmanuel Carmelo P. Nadera II (Wika Nadera); WE WERE HERE, WHERE WE WEAR by Edsel P. Gasmen; and THINGS YOU WANTED TO SAY BUT YOU TYPED IT NALANG SA SOCMED by Ja Turla.
DOCUMENTARY CATEGORY
In the Documentary category, competing films are: ROMEO AND JULIE by Ysamae Yrrah Carelo and Edward John Louise Factes; EYEN KAMI DEYUHAN (WE ARE FROM HERE) by Regine Mae I. Manuel and Charles Dewey Vitto; BULAHAW SA BANAHAW by Anthony James Bayog; SI TES AT SI ANGGO by Angelo A. Martinez; ANYBODY IS NOBODY TO SOMEBODY by Jan Christian Garcia; DAGITI NALAGA NGA ISTORIA (WOVEN STORIES) by Melver Ritz L. Gomez; AGAWAN SA PAMANA by Elijah Dennis Quert M. Magtibay; PADALUYIN by Jhezarie Santiago; NOMO KWEEN: THE LAST WOMAN STANDING by LA Oraza; ODA KAY PAPA by Johnsep Mari Abode; DAUNGAN NG MGA NAGHIHINTAY by Kaila Arvi B. Ariston; and KALANSAY by Angela Gwyneth J. Iglesia, Audrei Mendador, Edelweiss Nazal, and Martha Sarmiento.
A CCP-produced documentary, Backstage Pass: The Pillars of the House, will also premiere during the film festival. Directed by Joseph Mangat, the film goes behind the scenes of the Cultural Center of the Philippines as it marks its 55th anniversary with a celebration of the nation’s artists, revealing how the front of house team and ushers quietly shape the audience’s experience while remaining in the background.
The Gawad Alternatibo finalists will be screened simultaneously with Cinemalaya 2025, on October 6 to 9 at the Red Cinema Carpet at the Shangri-La Plaza. The awarding ceremony is on October 10, 2024. All screenings are free and open to the public.
For more information, visit the website at www.culturalcenter.gov.ph and the Gawad Alternatibo’s website at https://gawadalt.com.
Stay updated on latest Cinemalaya and Gawad Alternatibo screenings in the official CCP, Cinemalaya and Gawad Alternatibo social media accounts on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube.
