ILOILO CITY — The Ilonggo Cinema Festival returns for its 2026 edition, running from October 14 to 18 at the FDCP Cinematheque Centre Iloilo, Festive Walk Iloilo, and Festive Walk Cinema. The five-day celebration showcases Ilonggo films and honors the region's growing filmmaking community. Admission is free to the public.
A Celebration of Ilonggo Storytelling
The festival opens on October 14 at 5:00 PM at Festive Walk Cinema 1 with the official opening ceremony. The event features the screening of the festival's opening film, "SALUM," alongside two other short films. This kickoff sets the tone for a week dedicated to celebrating local narratives and cinematic artistry.
Organized by the Iloilo City Government together with the Iloilo City Local Culture and Arts Council, Iloilo City M.I.C.E. Center, and Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc., the festival reflects a collaborative effort to elevate Ilonggo cinema. Partnerships with Cine Enkanto, The Social Starter, and Prometheus Enterprises, in association with the Film Development Council of the Philippines and Megaworld Iloilo, bring the event to life.
Lectures and Industry Insights
Day Two on October 15 features a lecture titled "Ang Pagpamukadkad sang Istorya" conducted by Ilonggo filmmaker Kevin Pison Piamonte. The session explores the journey from story development to directing. It offers aspiring filmmakers a rare opportunity to learn from an accomplished industry professional.
Day Three on October 16 continues with "Pagdumala sang mga Hangaway," a film production management lecture led by Ilonggo producer Jo Andrew Torlao. Both lectures are held at the FDCP Cinematheque Centre Iloilo at 9:00 AM. These sessions provide practical knowledge for filmmakers at various career stages.
Screenings and Special Programs
The festival features multiple short film sets screened across different days. Sets A and B are shown at the FDCP Cinematheque Centre, while themed programs like CINE ESPIRITO, CINE ESPEJO, CINE ENGANIO, CINE ENKANTO, CINE ENKUENTRO, and CINE ELEMENTO take place at Festive Walk Cinema 1.
Day Four on October 17 includes an "ENGANIO" Student Filmmaker Forum with FDCP Chairperson Jose Javier "Joey" Reyes. A townhall meeting titled "PAGTILILIPON" follows, gathering the Ilonggo cinema community for dialogue. These sessions foster connections and address challenges facing local filmmakers.
Women in Cinema and Closing Ceremony
Day Five on October 18 highlights Women in Cinema with a screening of short film Set 7, followed by an open forum featuring actress Gabby Padilla. The discussion addresses the role and contributions of women in the film industry. It provides a platform for important conversations about representation and equity.
The festival concludes with the screening of the closing film "With Love Bridgit" by Kevin Pison Piamonte at 4:00 PM. The Awarding and Closing Ceremony follows at 6:00 PM. These events celebrate the achievements of participating filmmakers and mark the end of a successful festival week.
Free Admission for All
All screenings and lectures are free to the public. Interested attendees may register through the links provided for each day's events. Early registration is encouraged to secure slots, as venues have limited capacity. The festival welcomes film enthusiasts, students, and community members alike.
