From Cinemalaya to Gawad Urian: 7 films that made the critics' cut

After making their cinematic debut at the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival in 2025, seven films have earned 29 nominations at the prestigious Gawan Urian 2026, now on its 49th edition. Gawan Urian is an annual film awards body that recognizes the filmmakers, artists, and creatives behind some of the festival's most compelling works. The nominations span major categories from Best Film and Best Director to acting, screenplay, cinematography, editing, music and sound, reaffirming the strength of the country's indie filmmaking scene. The seven Cinemalaya films nominated are: 'Bloom Where You Are Planted,' 'Cinemartyrs,' 'Republika ng Pipolipinas,' 'Paglilitis,' 'Raging,' 'Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan,' and 'Child No. 82: Anak ni Boy Kana.' All seven were part of the full-length category of Cinemalaya 21 (2025). Leading the nominations is 'Cinemartyrs' by Sari Dalena, with eight nods, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actress for Nour Hooshmand, Best Production Design, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Best Sound. The film follows a young filmmaker who sets out to recreate forgotten massacres from Philippine history, only to awaken the spirits of those who were killed at one of the massacre sites. 'Bloom Where You Are Planted' by Noni Abao earned six nominations, including Best Film and Best Documentary, Best Director, Best Editing, Best Music, and Best Sound. The documentary follows three land rights activists in Cagayan Valley as they confront threats, displacement, and the struggle to find a secure place to call home. The mockumentary 'Republika ng Pipolipinas' received three nominations, including Best Screenplay, Best Actress for Geraldine Villamil, and Best Supporting Actress for Alessandra de Rossi. It follows Cora Vitug, a disillusioned farmer who, after facing eviction from her land, renounces her Filipino citizenship and establishes her own micronation. 'Paglilitis' earned two acting nominations, for Best Actress for Rissey Reyes-Robinson and Best Supporting Actress for Eula Valdez. The drama explores the aftermath of workplace sexual harassment and the complicated pursuit of justice in an age when social media can turn a personal grievance into a public trial. 'Raging,' directed by Ryan Machado, garnered three nominations, including Best Actor for Elijah Canlas, Best Cinematography, and Best Sound. Set in 1990s Sibuyan Island, the film follows a young man traumatized by abuse whose discovery of a crashed plane draws him into a dangerous mystery and a quest for truth and justice. 'Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan' received four nominations, including Best Actor for Jojit Lorenzo, Best Supporting Actress for Dolly de Leon, Best Supporting Actor for Nanding Josef, as well as Best Music nomination for the movie. . The existential drama follows four Filipinos grappling with the aftermath of a painful political defeat as they confront disinformation, fading memories, and questions of purpose, truth, and hope. Rounding out the nominees is 'Child No. 82: Anak ni Boy Kana,' which received three nominations: Best Supporting Actress for Rochelle Pangilinan-Solinap, Best Editing, and Best Sound. The fantasy-comedy drama follows Max, a young man who sets out to prove he is the 82nd child of a legendary action star in the hope of seeing his recently deceased father one last time, only to confront the complicated truth about his family and his own identity. Cinemalaya has been championing independent films since its inception in 2005, fostering a vibrant community of independent filmmakers and actors who would challenge the mainstream's creative boundaries. It's influence extends to sparking important conversations about society, culture, and identity, making it not just a film festival, but a powerful movement that continues to shape and redefine Philippine storytelling on both local and international stages. Meanwhile, the Gawad Urian Awards is one of the most prestigious film award-giving bodies in the Philippines, organized by the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino. Known for its critical and discerning approach, Gawad Urian has long been regarded as a benchmark for artistic and cinematic quality in the country's film industry since its inception in 1977. To date, Cinemalaya has nurtured over 200 Filipino filmmakers and showcased over 1,000 of their works, including full-feature films, shorts, documentaries, Filipino film classics, and art films. MPP recently released its official list of nominees for its 49th edition for the awarding that will happen sometime in October. /edv