The Unreel guide to Cinemalaya 2022

For the first time in three years, Cinemalaya is returning to in-person screenings. Programmed under the banner mantra “Breaking Through the Noise,” Cinemalaya 2022 finds its way back home to the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), a venue that has served as the tryst for the festival’s patrons.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the past two Cinemalaya editions had been limited, online runs, programming only mostly short films. This year, Cinemalaya is doubling down with eleven new feature films and a dozen short films.

Cinemalaya will also hold the Philippine premiere of Martika Escobar’s debut feature, Leonor Will Never Die, serving as the festival’s opening film.

Calling these films “nuclear survivors,” having gone through a global pandemic, feels apt. Festival director Joey Reyes notes that Cinemalaya made sure the filmmakers and “their voices [would] be brought to the Cultural Center of the Philippines.”

Cinemalaya 2022: Feature films

Here’s a look at the full-length Cinemalaya 2022 entries:

12 Weeks

A single, 40-year-old woman is forced to deal with thoughts of motherhood. Directed by Anna Isabel Matutina.

Angkas

Two estranged friends rebuild their embittered past while traveling together in a ‘habal-habal‘ to retrieve a dead pal. Directed by Rain Yamson.

Bakit ‘Di Mo Sabihin?

A deaf couple learns that it is not their inability to speak or hear that tears them apart. Directed by Real S. Florido.

Batsoy

Two young siblings go on a fantastical adventure to satiate their much-coveted and delectable craving for ‘batsoy.’ Directed by Ronald Batallones.

Blue Room

Progressive rock band members make a difficult choice between freedom or standing up for what they believe. Directed by Ma-an L. Asuncion-Dagñalan.

Bula Sa Langit

A young soldier comes home after a siege and faces a different war. Directed by Sheenly Gener.

Ginhawa

An aspiring boxer takes his fighting chances and discovers the grim reality of the sport. Directed by Christian Paolo Lat.

Kaluskos

In the middle of a custody battle, a single mother finds something underneath her daughter’s bed that will question her love for her child. Directed by Roman S. Perez Jr.

Kargo

A woman relieves the heavy burden from her past when she finally exacts revenge on the man who murdered her entire family. Directed by TM Malones.

Retirada

A retired government employee’s new hobby leads to existential desperation and financial complications. Directed by Milo Alto Paz and Cynthia Cruz-Paz.

The Baseball Player

A Moro child soldier aspires to become a baseball player amidst an all-out war. Directed by Carlo Obispo.

Cinemalaya 2022: Short films

Cinemalaya is programming a total of twelve short films. The collection features works from the likes of Maria Estela Paiso, Zig Dulay, and Xeph Suarez.

Here’s a look at the short film entries at Cinemalaya 2022:

Ampangabagat Nin Talakba Ha Likol (It’s Raining Frogs Outside), dir. Maria Estela Paiso
Black Rainbow, dir. Zig Dulay
City of Flowers, dir. Xeph Suarez
Dikit, dir. Gabriela Serrano
Distance, dir. Dexter Paul de Jesus
Duwa-Duwa, dir. Nena Jane Achacoso
Mga Handum Nga Nasulat sa Barras (The Dreams That Are Written in the Sand), dir. Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay & Ricard Jeroui Salvadico
Mata Kang Busay (Vision of the Falls), dir. Niño Maldecir & Cyphor John Gayorgor
Kwits, dir. Raz de la Torre
Roundtrip to Happiness, dir. Claudia Fernando
See You, George!, dir. Mark Moneda
Si Oddie, dir. Maria Kydylee Torato

Cinemalaya 2022: Screening schedules & ticket info

Cinemalaya has published information about screening schedules and how patrons can get tickets. The festival happens from August 5 to September 18, 2022, at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and select Ayala Malls Cinemas and SM Cinemas.

Here’s the official Cinemalaya 2022 screening schedule:

Note that, as ever with film festivals, these schedules can change at any point.

Cinemalaya has also shared how patrons can purchase festival passes. This year, the Cinemalaya Festival Pass gives patrons access to all films in competition, including feature-length and short features. Passholders also get priority access to screenings, including Cinemalaya Talkbalk sessions on a first-come, first-served basis. The passes go out for PHP 2,500.

Notably missing is the All-Access Pass, a more premium version of the Festival Pass which enables patrons to watch in-competition films as well as other films under other festival categories.

The passes can only be used at CCP venues and are only valid from August 5th – 14th, 2022.

Here’s how to purchase festival passes:

Cinemalaya 2022: Safety precautions

In light of the ongoing pandemic, Cinemalaya and CCP have put safety measures in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. As of press time, experts are also fearing the outbreak of monkeypox; for this, you may refer to CDC’s resource to make sure you’re safe.

Key things to remember when watching at CCP:

Vaccination ID and wearing of face masks are required to enter CCP and its theaters.
Thermal scans and automatic alcohol dispensers are available at the entrances. Guests are encouraged to bring their own sanitizers as well.
To limit exposure, socializing in the lobby is discouraged.
Follow distancing floor markers.
Contactless ticket verification is available via QR codes.

Here’s some more information about their safety measures.