Puregold CinePanalo returns in 2026 with a groundbreaking announcement: the festival is rolling out the largest production grants ever given in the history of Philippine film festivals.
This year, seven directors of full-length films will each receive PhP5 million, while 20 student filmmakers will be awarded PhP200,000 to complete their short films. The initiative strengthens CinePanalo’s commitment to supporting both seasoned and emerging storytellers.
According to Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, Puregold CinePanalo chair and Puregold senior marketing manager, the increase in grants reflects the festival’s goal of nurturing the country’s next wave of filmmakers. “CinePanalo is our launchpad for the new breed of Philippine cinema,” she said. “By providing more funds, we may now challenge our filmmakers to break every boundary of narrative, style, and genre.”
Hayagan-Piedad also highlighted that restrictions on narratives and genres are now being removed. Instead, the festival will focus on artistry and excellence, giving filmmakers the freedom to experiment. “All narrative and genre restrictions are being lifted. Craft and excellence will be the new focal point of the festival. 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 more freedom and bigger budgets, the festival is eager to see how filmmakers will rise to the challenge. Hayagan-Piedad added: “The door is open for all types of films at this year’s Puregold CinePanalo! Let us all demonstrate the full breadth of the local film industry.”
To join the 2026 Puregold CinePanalo festival, applicants must accomplish the online application form, which will require submission of the following:
- Signed terms and conditions
- Synopsis in Filipino or English
- Logline in Filipino or English
- Completed screenplay
- Resume of the director with accessible links to sample works
- Two recent photos of the director
- Director of photography
- List of producers
- 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 full-length film category is open to all professional and amateur filmmakers aged 18 years old and up. Applications for the full-length category must be submitted before 11:59 PM on September 10, 2025.
A shortlist of 30 selected applicants will be announced on October 1, 2025, all of whom must submit an initial pitch deck by October 8.
On October 15, 15 applicants will be selected to make their pitch to the festival organizers from October 22 to 23. The final seven recipients of the production grants will be revealed on October 25, 2025.
Meanwhile, applications for the student short film category will close by 11:59 PM on November 25, 2025.
Applicants must be at least 15 years of age and must be enrolled students at the time of the festival run in August 2026. Applicants will be required to submit a certificate of enrollment for SY 2025-2026. The final line up of selected student filmmakers will be announced on February 1, 2026.
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.
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