The Philippine independent film scene is vibrant with fresh perspectives, and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde continues to be a driving force behind this creative movement.
At the 2026 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, four talented storytellers from Benilde’s faculty and alumni have earned coveted spots in both the full-length and short film competitions.
In the full-length category, Benilde Film educator Dustin Celestino presents “A.ni.mál,” a drama centered on Lily, a small-town mayor’s daughter who returns home with incriminating video footage of a powerful governor abusing his dog. The ensemble cast includes Maxine Ignacio, Jojit Lorenzo, Reymund Domingo, Frances Makil-Ignacio, Bituin Escalante, and Anthony Falcon.
Celestino’s team, faced with financial constraints that nearly halted production, adapted to the situation by filming the entire project on an iPhone 17 Pro Max. They reallocated their camera rental expenses toward fair compensation for the cast and crew. They also embraced a Dogme 95-inspired aesthetic using natural lighting, sharp dialogue, and intimate framing to build tension.
Meanwhile, Benilde Film alumnus Vahn Leinard Pascual makes his feature film directorial debut with the comedy-drama “Status: Rejected.” The film marks a transition for Pascual from being a festival attendee to a competing filmmaker.
The story follows 69-year-old widow Virginia “Biring” Divinagracia, who seeks to join her favorite son in the United States. After receiving her fourth visa denial, she is persuaded by a close friend to try online dating to find a foreign partner. The film stars Ruby Ruiz, Alessandra de Rossi, Beverly Salviejo, and Yani Villarosa.
In the short film category, Celestino’s fellow Benilde Film faculty member Lot-lot Hermosura delivers “The River Flows in Different Places,” an emotional study of two Filipino-Palestinian mothers escaping the war in Gaza.
Before its Cinemalaya selection, the documentary earned top honors at the inaugural Films for Peace short film competition organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines.
In addition, Benilde Multimedia Arts alumna Gabriela Serrano returns with “Elenita Elena Elaine,” a sci-fi drama set over a single night in a world where human dreaming has ceased. The film intersects three distinct lives: a pop star facing her final broadcast performance, a recent graduate packing to move abroad, and a call center worker whose voice fades into background noise.
Co-written with her sister Mariana Serrano, Gabriela also directed and edited the project. The short film features performances by Agot Isidro, Gabby Padilla, and Mariana.
The featured works highlight a range of storytelling approaches, technical choices, and personal themes from the Benildean filmmaking community.
Cinemalaya runs from August 6 to 18 at the Shangri-La Plaza Red Carpet Cinemas, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Ayala Malls Circuit, Glorietta, Market! Market!, TriNoma, and Gateway Cineplex 18. —Seymour Barros Sanchez
