Creating Opportunities for Young Filmmakers
BACOLOD - The Bacolod City government is calling on student filmmakers to take part in the MMFF Student Shorts Competition, which carries the theme “Paskong Pinoy / Pasko Sa Atin.” The competition invites young creatives to produce original short films that capture the Filipino Christmas experience through their personal stories, culture, imagination, and perspectives. The initiative provides an opportunity for aspiring filmmakers to share their work with audiences beyond Bacolod while representing the creativity and storytelling talent of the city. The MMFF, now on its 52nd year, is presenting the competition in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines and the Film Academy of the Philippines.
Supporting Student Talent Through Film
The competition is designed to provide aspiring filmmakers with both financial support and professional development opportunities. Sixteen semi-finalists will each receive a ₱20,000 script development grant and take part in a story development workshop to further improve their concepts. From the semi-finalists, eight finalists will receive a ₱50,000 production grant and gain access to a short filmmaking workshop that can help them develop their projects into completed films. The finalists will also have the opportunity to have their films screened nationwide alongside the official MMFF 2026 entries, giving young filmmakers valuable exposure to a wider audience.
Bacolod Strengthens Its Creative Industry
The competition comes at an exciting time for Bacolod as the city prepares to become the first location outside the National Capital Region to host MMFF-related events in December. The opportunity highlights Bacolod's growing role as a center for creative talent and cultural activities in the Philippines. The winning entry will receive the MMFF Best Student Short Film recognition and a ₱100,000 cash prize during the MMFF Awards Night, providing further encouragement for young filmmakers to pursue their craft. With the submission deadline set for August 31, 2026, student filmmakers in Bacolod now have an opportunity to turn their Christmas stories into films that could reach audiences across the country.
