Puregold CinePanalo 2026 is offering the largest production grants ever in the history of Philippine film festivals, for professiona and student filmmakers.
A total of PhP5 million will be awarded to each of seven selected full-length film directors, while twenty student filmmakers will each receive PhP200,000. Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, Puregold CinePanalo chair and Puregold senior marketing manager, explains how raising the grants supports the festival’s vision.
“CinePanalo is our launchpad for the new breed of Philippine cinema,” she says. “By providing more funds, we may now challenge our filmmakers to break every boundary of narrative, style, and genre.”
She also confirmed that narrative and genre restrictions have been lifted. “Craft and excellence will be the new focal point of the festival,” she added. “Puregold CinePanalo is thus encouraging participants to explore a wider range of stories and styles for their entries—from cerebral thrillers to whimsical young romances to more complex stories with intricate plot turns.””
With the freedom and funding to bring fresh and daring visions to life, the festival seeks to showcase the best of local cinema and push the boundaries of Filipino storytelling.
“The door is open for all types of films at this year’s Puregold CinePanalo,” Hayagan-Piedad said. “Let us all demonstrate the full breadth of the local film industry.”
To apply, interested participants must complete an online application form. Requirements include signed terms and conditions, a synopsis and logline in either Filipino or English, a completed screenplay, the director’s resume with links to sample works, two recent photos of the director, director of photography, list of producers and an assistant director.
The application form for the full-length category can be accessed at https://tinyurl.com/PCPFFFullApp. Meanwhile, student short applicants can apply at https://tinyurl.com/PCPFFShortsApp. The full mechanics for the competition are embedded in both online forms.
The final produced films in both categories will screen as part of the 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival on August 7-18, 2026 at the Gateway Cineplex 18. They will follow in the footsteps of critically acclaimed and award-winning films from the festival’s previous runs such as “Under a Piaya Moon,” “Salum” and more.
For more, applicants may email thesecretariat@cinepanalo.com or contact the official Facebook page @puregoldcinepanalo.
