Press Release
August 24, 2026
FDCP PRESENTS A THROWBACK TO 2ND GOLDEN AGE OF CINEMA THIS PFIM
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Reflecting on our gilded past as we look forward to a bright future, Philippine Film Industry Month (PFIM) 2026 “Pelikula: Ginintuang Ikalawa” celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Second Golden Age of Philippine Cinema as we work towards our next.
September will see screenings of digitally-restored classics such as Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang (1974) and Sister Stella L (1984) among others, our Sine Kabataan and PFIM Short Film Festivals, and a closing ceremony honoring pillars of the industry and the newly designated UNESCO Creative City of Film, Quezon City.
THE SECOND GOLDEN AGE OF PHILIPPINE CINEMA
“Ang Ginintuang Ikalawa” looks back on the era of the greats: Ishmael Bernal, Lino Brocka, Mario O’Hara, Lupita Aquino-Kashiwahara, Mike De Leon, Eddie Romero, and their contemporaries from the mid 1970’s to the late 1980’s who shaped modern Philippine Cinema as we know it today.
The Philippine Film Industry Month officially opens with a screening of the 4K digitally-restored Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang (1974) directed by National Artist Lino Brocka, on September 4, 2026 at the Red Carpet Cinema, Shangri-La Plaza. This monumental ceremony will also host the announcement of the country’s entry to the 99th Academy Awards or the Oscars, courtesy of the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP).
SINE BETTER THAN YOU’VE SEEN BEFORE
PFIM will never be complete without a plethora of screenings of movies both new and old.
In keeping with this year’s theme, a selection of classics representative of the Second Golden Age will be screened at our FDCP Cinematheque Centres nationwide:
Itim (1976), directed by Mike De Leon
- Insiang (1976), directed by Lino Brocka
- Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos (1976), directed by Mario O'Hara
- Minsa’y Isang Gamu-Gamo (1976), directed by Lupita Aquino-Kashiwahara
- Ganito Kami Noon… Paano Kayo Ngayon? (1976), directed by Eddie Romero
Nunal sa Tubig (1976), directed by Ishmael Bernal
Going even further into the past, the Philippine Film Archive is poised to present “SineUna: Cinematic Action Before the War,” a showcase of our cinematic heritage from before World War II that remain accessible, thanks to our steadfast efforts in film archiving, preservation, and restoration. These films will screen at our FDCP Cinematheque Centres throughout PFIM:
Zamboanga (1937), directed by Eduardo de Castro
Giliw Ko (1939), directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa
Tunay na Ina (1939), directed by Octavio Silos
Pakiusap (1940), directed by Octavio Silos
Ibong Adarna (1941), directed by Vicente Salumbides
The FDCP Cinematheque Centre Manila has been host to countless cineastes since its opening in February of this year. The home of our country’s film heritage in Intramuros has been a nexus for showcasing local and foreign films, hosting discussions that deepen our love for film, and creating opportunities for the industry to come together.
Reel to Real: Pelikula at Panayam, our monthly screening & talkback series, will spotlight Jaguar (1979), directed by National Artist Lino Brocka on September 9, 2026.
Our Director’s Series, which focuses on the work of specific cinematic auteurs will dedicate September to Jeffrey Jeturian on September 10, 2026, featuring:
Tuhog (2001), also written by the Late-Great Bing Lao
Kubrador (2006)
The world premiere of documentary film Kodomo-tachi: Children of the War (2025) directed by Mike Alcazaren will also grace Cinematheque Centre Manila on September 17, 2026.
Kapelikula, our screening events exclusive to JuanFlix subscribers, will present Olsen’s Day (2025), directed by JP Habac at Cinematheque Centre Manila on September 19, 2026.
COLLABORATION TO BRING THE CINEMA TO YOU
Our special events in the various other locales of Intramuros continue with a screening co-presented by the Intramuros Administration of Ganito Kami Noon… Paano Kayo Ngayon? (1976), directed by National Artist Eddie Romero at the Teatro, Fort Santiago on September 11, 2026.
The National Commission for Culture and The Arts (NCCA) regularly co-presents Mga Hiyas ng Sineng Pilipino at the Metropolitan Theater. This month, the newly digitally-restored Sister Stella L (1984), by director Mike De Leon, makes its grand homecoming on September 20, 2026.
Meanwhile Cinematheque Centre Iloilo will present a special Pelikula ng Bayan featuring the Bantayan Film Festival’s (BFF) Top 3 films from the past decade, from September 10-23, 2026. As the country’s longest-running regional film festival, BFF will spotlight the Guimbal iFilm Society’s local and independent work of Guimbalanon filmmakers, reflecting the richness of their communities, cultures, and storytelling traditions.
DEVELOPING EMERGENT CINEMATIC VOICES
This year, we introduce a brand new addition to our roster of film festivals: the PFIM Short Film Competition. A collaboration with the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP), the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), and the Quezon City Screen Commission (QCSC), this showcase of independent Filipino work aims to engage the creativity and ambition of local talent from September 11-23, 2026 at our Cinematheque Centres nationwide.
Sine Kabataan 2026 marks the youth film festival’s ninth edition! The competition remains an effective incubator for young filmmakers, providing support and mentoring as they realize their bold cinematic visions. Ten new creative voices from across the country will make their debut at Red Carpet Cinemas, Shangri-La from September 18-20, 2026. The entries will then continue their run at Cinematheque Centres from September 22-26, 2026.
A Dead Man's Genesis, directed by Cyra Dematawaran [Metro Manila]
Asa Mutugpa Ang Pag Lupad-Lupad (Where The Drifting Flight Comes To Rest), directed by Emmanuel Pamaylaon [Nabunturan]
Bato'ng Bunga (Stone Fruit), directed by Elj Seth Tababa [Cebu]
Hindi Pa Nag-Aagahan Si Tau, directed by Janno Pelias [Antipolo]
Ikalulunod Ko Ba Ang Paglangoy, directed by Lawrence Balingasa [Laguna]
Inday's Ark, directed by Alex Loygos [Negros Oriental]
Kurita (Octopus), directed by Zechri Jacob Alvarez [Ilocos Norte]
Piyesa, directed by Ryand Angelo Ugalde [Ilocos Norte]
Titser, Titser!, directed by Franchesca Grace Pagatpat [Metro Manila]
Yada Na Ta Busag Nga Vannn! (Here Comes The White Vannn!), directed by Giomer Gulferic [Leyte]
The Film Education Convention (FilmEc) also makes its grand return following its debut in 2024. Bringing together film enthusiasts, professionals, and educators from across the nation, the convention will feature keynotes, workshops, and student film screenings that celebrate the shared love for cinema. This year, FilmEc moves across the road to De La Salle University Manila from September 25-26, 2026.
A LOOK BACK, A LOOK FORWARD
PFIM 2026 ends with a festive celebration honoring past legends, contemporary champions, and all who keep our industry moving forward.
The program will also have our annual Parangal, honoring lifetime legacy and annual achievement in Philippine cinema:
Lifetime Achievement Award
Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino
Vic Del Rosario
Hilda Koronel
- Tito Genova Valiente
Annual Achievement Award
Ryan Machado
Jorrybell Agoto
Ruby Ruiz
The women of Enjoy Your Stay (2025)
Mercedes Cabral, Anna Luna, Irma Adlawan, Donna Cariaga, Madeleine Nicolas and Hasmine Killip
The ceremony will also commemorate the efforts of the Quezon City Screen Commission (QCSC) in celebration of Quezon City’s new status as a UNESCO Creative City of Film. We will also announce the finalists of our Isapelikula program, a film incubator and match funding program where selected projects may receive production grants of up to 1,000,000 php.
The PFIM Closing Ceremony, hosted by Michael Sager & Aya Fernandez will also feature special performances from:
Sam Mangubat
Esang
AC Bonifacio
Kai Montinola
Jarren Garcia
We close this year’s Philippine Film Industry Month on September 30, 2026, at Seda Vertis North, Quezon City.
