2025 Upcoming Film Festivals in the Philippines
All businesses run on relationships, moreso for the film industry. The Filipino film industry has climbed greater heights over the years with Television series, films and film stars that have captured the heart of viewers around the world. Yet, there is always a greater achievement to aspire towards. Since the industry depends on various parts to work together in order to produce excellent movies, relationship management, networking, connection and continuous learning are important.
The above reasons are only some of why people attend film festivals. Upcoming actors get to show their latest creations, screenwriters submit their scripts for intending producers, agents scout for talents that they can recruit, producers meet with investors to discuss financing their movies, actors seek out productions that will be worth their talents and people learn from industry experts about the latest technique in filmmaking. News are exchanged, contracts are signed, promises are made and know-hows are shared. This makes film festivals important to career growth in the Philippines film industry.
Since you can depend on us to share guides and tips that can push your career forward, Quilltowers has gone through the trouble of sorting through upcoming film festivals and conventions in the Philippines that screenwriters, filmmakers, directors and industry enthusiasts can attend.
Upcoming 2025 Film Festivals in the Philippines
- Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival: The Cinemalaya film festival is one of the most awaited film conventions in the Philippines. Slated to start on August 2-11, 2025 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Pasay City, the festival focuses on pushing upcoming filmmakers to the limelight while connecting industry professionals with one another. It is however anticipated due to its award of seed grants for short and full feature films to independent film makers.
- QCinema International Film Festival: Set in Quezhon City, the QCinema International Film Festival is scheduled to take place over 11 days – from November 6 to 16. This is due to its filmmaking competition that aims at financing the winners of submitted films for their next project. The days also cover seminars, workshops and meetings with industry leaders.
- Sine Kabataan Short Film Lab and Festival: Aspiring filmmakers know that their best bet to secure funding, sponsorship and to grow in the industry is tied to proper leveraging of short film submissions to producers and film festivals. These put their craft in front of people who may observe that their craft has potential on the big screen. The Sine Kabataan Short Film Lab and Festival is organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) to encourage these filmmakers.
- The Manila Film Festival: This should not be mistaken for the Metro Manila Film Festival. The Manila Film Festival is an annual short film submission convention that allows filmmakers to submit their works to be graded by international filmmakers, Directors and Industry Experts who shortlist the best ones and award what is considered to be the best submission. The 2025 submission is still ongoing with the main program slated for June this year. This may well be the break you are looking for.
- EDUKSINE Festival: For filmmaking enthusiasts who either cannot afford the transportation fees to travel from one part of the Philippines to another or for any other reason cannot attend physically, the EDUKSINE film festival is an ongoing festival that shows Filipino Indie movies that the attendees can stream freely online. The festival started on March 8 but will end by May 30. The online feature and the time frame makes it easier to build lasting relationships, learn about the Philippines film industry and see good movies that have been submitted while conversing with like-minded attendees.
All these festivals provide opportunities for filmmakers, screenwriters, Directors, Producers, Agents and Managers to meet and discuss their interests. We look forward to hearing you share your experiences at these festivals. Of course you can contact us if you need further clearance on this subject. For you, we are always here.
