CineSilip 2025: Daring, creative, and artistic

The Philippine film industry is set to witness a new milestone with the launch of the CineSilip Film Festival, a platform dedicated to showcasing the country's finest filmmaking talents.

- ROBERT REQUINTINA

Scheduled to run from Oct. 22 to 28, 2025, this inaugural event is a joint initiative of Viva's film production group and Ayala Malls Cinemas.

The CineSilip Film Festival aims to highlight and promote the skill, artistry, and creativity of emerging Filipino directors.

"The festival will feature seven films that give directors and writers the creative freedom to craft stories that captivate moviegoers and spark imagination. These adult and mature stories span a diverse range of genres, including horror, comedy, and drama," said Ronald Arguelles, festival director, during the media conference held at Viva Cafe in Araneta City recently.

The seven featured films

1) Ang Lihim ni Maria Makinang (The Secret of Maria Makinang) - a coming-of-age drama directed by Gian Arre, starring Gold Aceron, Aiko Garcia, and Mercedes Cabral.

It tells the story of Maria, a young woman who appears only during the full moon. She falls for a man named Danilo, and their love is tested through time, because for Danilo, decades have passed, but for Maria, it has only been a few moments.