Puregold CinePanalo has announced the 20 student short films selected for its 2026 festival run, narrowing down entries from 267 submissions nationwide.
Now on its third iteration, the festival chose the finalists from an initial shortlist of 53, spotlighting student filmmakers from universities and schools across the country. The selected works will compete in the Student Shorts category and are set to screen later this year.
Here are the 20 student short films selected for Puregold CinePanalo 2026:
- “Starfish” – John Clite Apolinar, Polytechnic University of the Philippines
- “Alumahan” – Christian Melvin M. Arejola, Polytechnic University of the Philippines
- “A Million Dream” – Ace Joven Balleta, University of Eastern Philippines
- “Kanibal” – Michael Baylon, University of the Philippines Visayas
- “Miss Intrams” – Henri Marie Belimac, University of the Philippines Mindanao
- “The Sound of K” – Jay Gabriel Cañada, Visayas State University
- “Teks Battle: Shoot Pati Pato!” – John Russel Capule, University of Caloocan City
- “Tingi” – Rowan De Aro, Tanza National Comprehensive High School
“Pulis Dunggab” – Maxine Dela Bajan, iACADEMY Cebu - “Kapag Tapos na ang Umpukan” – Justine Lee Estinor, Manuel Enverga University Foundation
- “Ang Huling Banlaw ni Susan” – Hezekiah M. Estorque, University of the Philippines Visayas
- “Sa Mga Nagdaan at Lumipas” – Ezaldea Carla Fernandez, University of the Philippines Open University
- “12 Shots” – Minnesota Flores, University of the Philippines Diliman
- “No Mad Is an Island” – Carl Geronimo, City of Malabon University
- “Nakabinbin” – Carlo Gula, Colegio de San Juan de Letran–Manila
- “When Heaven Inched Towards Earth” – Vinh Marco, University of the Philippines Diliman
- “Limlim” – Samantha Beatriz Acoja Palaje, St. Dominic College of Asia
- “Bumtak Sara ti Nuangen (The Carabao’s Horns Have Cracked)” – Lloyd Pereira, Polytechnic University of the Philippines
- “Kun Hain? Bisan Diin” – Jomarie Reyes, University of the Philippines Diliman
- “Nang Matakasan ang Tagay” – Giancarlo Santiago, University of the Philippines Diliman
The selected filmmakers will receive a production grant of P200,000, along with sponsored equipment packages to support the completion of their films.
In partnership with the Asia Pacific Film Institute, the festival will also extend educational incentives to select winners. Recipients of the Best Film, Jury Prize, and Best Director awards will be eligible for full scholarships, as well as additional tuition support and career guidance.
Puregold Senior Marketing Manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad congratulated the finalists, saying, “Reaching this stage was no easy task. We believe these young filmmakers carry some of the most important stories that need to be told today. We are proud to provide them with a platform to bring these stories to life, and we look forward to seeing how the Filipino audiences connect with and respond to these films created especially for them.”
The student shorts will screen alongside seven full-length feature films during the Puregold CinePanalo festival, scheduled from Sept. 23 to Oct. 4, 2026, at Gateway Cineplex 18 in Araneta City and select Ayala Cinemas.
Since its launch, films produced under Puregold CinePanalo have so far been screened at local and international film festivals, earning critical recognition and awards.
READ: Rundown: 7 films announced as official entries for Puregold CinePanalo 2026
—With Rosette Adel