DAVAO CITY — Filmmakers from Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore are set to gather in Davao City for the 10th edition of the Ngilngig Asian Fantastic Film Festival, running from October 24 to 28, 2026. The milestone event brings 55 film competitors to the city.
A Decade of Fantastic Cinema
NgAFF was established in 2013, its name taken from a Bisayan word meaning something that elicits horror and dread. It began as a local festival for horror and supernatural folklore films before expanding in 2017 to include fantasy and sci-fi works from Asian filmmakers.
Today, it stands as the first and only international film festival based in Davao City and the first fantastic film festival organized in Southeast Asia. The 2026 edition carries the theme "Metamorphosis," marking a decade of transformation and cross-cultural exchange.
A Diverse Lineup of Asian Cinema
The festival features 50 short films and five feature-length movies. Of the shorts, 23 come from the Philippines and 12 from Asian filmmakers. Films hail from Kazakhstan, Myanmar, South Korea, Nepal, Cambodia, Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia, Jordan, Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, Palestine, and China.
Filipino entries come from Iloilo, Davao de Oro, Ilocos Norte, Negros Occidental, Davao del Norte, Metro Manila, Rizal, Nueva Vizcaya, Leyte, Butuan, and Davao City. This wide representation underscores the festival's growing reach across the archipelago.
International Premieres and Visiting Filmmakers
Japanese filmmaker Kenichi Ugana will present his feature-length horror film "The Curse" at the festival. Vietnamese director Trần Nhân Kiên will showcase his psychological horror film "Antithesis of Gemini." Both films will have their Philippine premieres at NgAFF.
Other feature-length entries include Kazakhstan's alien sci-fi "Stinker" by Yerden Telemissov, the coming-of-age Leyte film "I Grew an Inch When My Father Died" by P.R. Monencillo Patindol, and Filipino director Giancarlo Abraham's horror drama "Mag-iina."
Workshops, Film Camp, and Halloween Market
Beyond screenings, the festival offers workshops on film writing, criticism, and cinematography conducted by Neil Daza. A four-day film camp mentored by acclaimed filmmakers Sherad Sanchez, Joshua Medroso, and Dodo Dayao will be hosted at Macatabo Farm in Barangay Carmen.
Screenings will be held at the Davao Cinematheque, while cinematography workshops take place at Greenhouse Cinema in downtown Davao. A Halloween market and art bazaar will occupy the Cinematheque grounds throughout the festival.
A Festival That Draws Global Audiences
Festival founder and director Bagane Fiola noted that previous editions attracted foreign and local tourists who visited Davao specifically to watch the films. These visitors far outnumber local viewers, signaling strong international interest in NgAFF.
"This is the tenth year, so grabe among preparations because it's a milestone event," Fiola said. He expressed hope that more Dabawenyos would discover the festival and its offerings.
The event is organized by Pasalidahay Incorporated, a Davao-based filmmakers' collective. It is supported by the Film Development Council of the Philippines, the Film Academy of the Philippines, the Davao City Government, Sony, and Aputure.
