Cinemalaya Goes Online This Year—Here’s How You Can Watch It

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, movie theaters are shuttered for the time being, which means annual film festivals we’ve come to look forward to—like Cinemalaya, for one—won’t have the physical space to exhibit its entries.

On its 16th year, the indie film festival will be streaming online through Vimeo from August 7 to August 16. Its Awards night, set on August 16, will be available on KUMU.

Cinemalaya’s theme this year is “Stream Consciousness,” and the ten competing films include: 

Ang Gasgas na Plaka ni Lolo Bert (The Broken Vinyl Record) by Janina Gacosta and Cheska Marfori

A closeted gay man in his 60s has been living with HIV for 10 years. His monotonous life takes a sudden turn when he receives an old vinyl record from his dead ex-lover.

Ang Pagpakalma sa Unos (To Calm the Pig Inside) by Joanna Vasquez Arong

To Calm the Pig Inside is a contemplation on the effects a typhoon leaves on a seaside city. Myths are woven in to try to understand how people cope with the devastation and trauma. A girl’s voice divulges bits and pieces of her own memory of her grandmother and mother to tie in the experiences she felt visiting this ravaged port city.

Excuse Me Miss, Miss, Miss by Sonny Calvento 

Vangie, a miserable contractual sales lady, is about to lose her job. But in her desperate attempt to convince her boss not to sack her, Vangie uncovers the ultimate jaw-dropping secret to regularization.

Fatigued by James Robin Mayo

One night, you overslept because of too much work, now, you must wake up before yournightmare becomes a reality.

Living Things by Martika Ramirez Escobar

Kints wakes up and discovers that her decade-long lover Charles has turned into a cardboard standee of himself.

Pabasa Kan Pasyon by Hubert Tibi

Religion and economy take center stage in a Bicolano family’s story, set during the Lenten season. To make ends meet, one of them turns to religion, and pushes his mother to make a living off her faith.

Quing Lalam ning Aldo (Under the Sun) by Reeden Fajardo

A transgender sampaguita farmer decided to renovate their neglected kitchen as soon as she heard that her son is going home.

The Slums by Jan Andrei Cobey

A documentary team progressively intervenes and trespasses into the lives of a poor family living in the slums as they try to cope with the loss of their TV.

Tokwifi by Carla Pulido Ocampo

A 1950s mestiza star, trapped inside a television that fell from the sky – dreams up a romantic romp with a Bontok Igorot man who does not know how to kiss.

Utwas (Arise) by Richard Jeroui Salvadico and Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay

Toto discovers more of the ocean as he tries to learn how to dive and fish.

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Lead photos from Cinemalaya