Three films tied for the most awards at the 2025 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival as documentary “Bloom Where You Are Planted” took home the event’s top prize.
The documentary by Noni Abao, which also won Best Editing, centers on three land rights activists – Agnes Mesina, the jailed Amanda Echanis and the late Randy Malayao – from the Cagayan Valley.
The three awards of “Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan” went to its actors: Best Actress Mylene Dizon, Best Actor Jojit Lorenzo and Best Supporting Actor Nanding Josef.
“Cinemartyrs” won Best Director for filmmaker Sari Dalena, Best Original Musical Score for composer Teresa Barrozo, and the Special Jury Prize.
The other film with three trophies was “Child No. 82 (Anak ni Boy Kana)”, which won the Audience Choice Award, Best Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actress for Rochelle Pangilinan.
“Totoo ba ‘to?! Hindi pa ako ready!” Rochelle said during her acceptance speech, noting it was her first appearance in a Cinemalaya entry.
The only other film with multiple wins was the Elijah Canlas-starred “Raging”, winning the craft categories of Cinematography and Sound Design. Three films tied for the most awards at the 2025 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival as documentary “Bloom Where You Are Planted” took home the event’s top prize.
The documentary by Noni Abao, which also won Best Editing, centers on three land rights activists – Agnes Mesina, the jailed Amanda Echanis and the late Randy Malayao – from the Cagayan Valley.
The three awards of “Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan” went to its actors: Best Actress Mylene Dizon, Best Actor Jojit Lorenzo and Best Supporting Actor Nanding Josef.
“Cinemartyrs” won Best Director for filmmaker Sari Dalena, Best Original Musical Score for composer Teresa Barrozo, and the Special Jury Prize.
The other film with three trophies was “Child No. 82 (Anak ni Boy Kana)”, which won the Audience Choice Award, Best Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actress for Rochelle Pangilinan.
“Totoo ba ‘to?! Hindi pa ako ready!” Rochelle said during her acceptance speech, noting it was her first appearance in a Cinemalaya entry.
The only other film with multiple wins was the Elijah Canlas-starred “Raging”, winning the craft categories of Cinematography and Sound Design.
Millado also commended last year’s Cinemalaya entries for triumphing at the recent 2025 Gawad Urian, dominated by “Alipato at Muog,” “Tumandok,” and “Kono Basho.”
The festival director reported that the combined box office of Shangri-La Plaza, Gateway and Ayala cinemas reached P13.4 million – more than a 100% increase in last year’s ticket sales of P5.8 million.
If projections hold, Cinemalaya is on track to match and possibly surpass pre-pandemic box office numbers.
Film Development Council of the Philippines chair Jose Javier Reyes later assured the organization would continue to help fund Cinemalaya entries, as well as assist in taking them to international film festivals like Cannes, Busan, and FILMART.
The movies for next year’s edition were also announced, with past Cinemalaya competitors Dustin Celestino, Ma-an Asuncion-Dagñalan and JL Burgos highlighting the lineup for Cinemalaya 2026.
Winners
Feature Films
Film – “Bloom Where You Are Planted”
Special Jury Prize – “Cinemartyrs”
NETPAC – “Republika ng Pipolipinas”
Director – Sari Dalena, “Cinemartyrs”
Ensemble – “Open Endings”
Actor – Jojit Lorenzo, “Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan”
Actress – Mylene Dizon, “Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan”
Best Supporting Actor – Nanding Josef, “Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan”
Best Supporting Actress – Rochelle Pangilinan, “Child No. 82 (Anak ni Boy Kana)”
Screenplay – “Child No. 82 (Anak ni Boy Kana)”
Cinematography – “Raging”
Editing – “Bloom Where You Are Planted”
Production Design – “Padamlagan”
Original Musical Score – “Cinemartyrs”
Sound Design – “Raging”
Audience Choice – “Child No. 82 (Anak ni Boy Kana)”
Short Films
Film – “The Next 24 Hours”
Special Jury Prize – “Kay Basta Angkarabo Yay Bagay Ibat ha Langit (Objects Do Not Randomly Fall from the Sky)”
NETPAC – “Hasang”
Director – “Elian Idioma, I’m Best Left Inside My Head”
Screenplay – “Figat”
Audience Choice – “Ascension From The Office Cubicle by Hannah Silvestre”