Filipino independent films took center stage once again as Cinemalaya films emerged as the big winners at this year’s Gawad Urian Awards, reaffirming the strength of the country’s indie filmmaking scene. Films produced by Cinemalaya’s 20th edition took home a total of 10 awards, including major citations like Best Picture. 

The awards are as follows:

• Gawad Urian Para sa Pinakamahusay na Pelikula: Alipato at Muog
• Gawad Urian Para sa Pinakamahusay na Direksyon: Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay and Richard Jeroui Salvadico (Tumandok)
• Gawad Urian Para sa Pinakamahusay na Screenplay: Tumandok (Arden Rod Cortez and Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay)
• Gawad Urian Para sa Pinakamahusay na Aktres: Arisa Nakano (Kono Basho)
• Gawad Urian Para sa Pinakamahusay na Dokumentaryo: Alipato at Muog
• Gawad Urian Para sa Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktor: Felipe Ganancial (Tumandok)
• Gawad Urian Para sa Pinakamahusay na Sinematograpiya: Dan Villegas (Kono Basho)
• Gawad Urian Para sa Pinakamahusay na Editing: JL Burgos (Alipato at Muog)
• Gawad Urian Para sa Pinakamahusay na Pinakamahusay na Musika: Paulo Almaden and the Ati People of Kabarangkalan and Nagpana (Tumandok)
• Gawad Urian Para sa Pinakamahusay na Tunog: Jannina Mikaela Minglanilla and Michaela Docena (The Hearing)

Since its inception in 2005, Cinemalaya has become a vital platform for showcasing the unique voices in Philippine independent cinema. It has launched the careers of numerous acclaimed filmmakers and actors, fostering a vibrant community that challenges mainstream narratives and pushes creative boundaries. Beyond awards, Cinemalaya’s influence extends to sparking important conversations about society, culture, and identity, making it not just a film festival, but a powerful movement that continues to shape and redefine Philippine storytelling on both local and international stages.

The Gawad Urian Awards is one of the most prestigious film award-giving bodies in the Philippines, organized by the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino. Known for its critical and discerning approach, Gawad Urian has long been regarded as a benchmark for artistic and cinematic quality in the country’s film industry since its inception in 1977.

To date, Cinemalaya has nurtured over 200 Filipino filmmakers and showcased over 1,000 of their works, including full-feature films, shorts, documentaries, Filipino film classics, and art films.

With the recent conclusion of its 21st edition, Cinemalaya will surely continue to uphold its vision to discover, encourage, support, train and recognize gifted Filipino independent filmmakers.