Global platform opens doors for Filipino cinema's rising stars

As Southeast Asian cinema undergoes a creative renaissance, the Philippines stands out as a force of fearless, independent storytelling.

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At the 2024 Alternativa Film Awards, the country ranked second in submissions with an impressive 132 entries, exhibiting the strength and diversity of its cinematic voice. These films explore themes of cultural identity, social injustice, and resilience, resonating with audiences across the region

Now, with the 2026 edition of the Alternativa Film Festival to be held in Colombia and officially opening submissions across Asia, this momentum signals a renewed platform for emerging Filipino filmmakers to be seen and celebrated.

Serving as more than a festival alone, Alternativa is a rostrum for underheard stories that confront political repression, economic divides, and the erosion of cultural identity which are stories that continue to define and challenge the region’s cinematic future.

Backed by global mobility and technology company inDrive, the festival has announced its third edition will be held in Colombia in the second quarter of 2026.

The upcoming cycle will feature an expanded USD 120,000 prize fund and a renewed focus on uplifting filmmakers from the Global South, like the Philippines and Indonesia. Feature-length films of all genres are accepted from Latin America and Asia, while the short film categories are reserved exclusively for Latin America.