Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival is bolstering its support for Filipino filmmakers by introducing—for the first time ever—the new Panorama Shorts Section, which will feature previously completed short films from both professional and student filmmakers.
Set apart from the festival’s grant categories, where selected filmmakers receive production funding to create new films, the Panorama Shorts Section is designed as a curated showcase of finished works. The initiative will allow more filmmakers to join the festival even if they did not participate in its production grant program.
The new section will feature ten never-before-shown Filipino short films, each marking its national premiere during the 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival. The selected films will be screened at Gateway Cineplex 18 and select Ayala Cinemas from September 23 to October 4.
“The Panorama Shorts Section is yet another way for Puregold CinePanalo to continue expanding opportunities for Filipino filmmakers,” said Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, Senior Marketing Manager of Puregold.
“Every year, we see more deserving stories and more exceptional talent that deserve to be discovered. Through the Panorama Shorts Section, we’re granting another platform where these Filipino voices can reach audiences on the big screen.”
The Panorama Shorts Section is open to Filipino filmmakers who are at least 15 years old, including students, emerging filmmakers, independent creators, and industry professionals.
Eligible entries must be completed short films with a maximum running time of 20 minutes. Films must have finished production between January 1, 2025 and July 30, 2026, with all music and other creative materials in either original form or properly cleared for commercial use.
To preserve the excitement of discovery, selected films must be making their Philippine premiere. Student thesis films that have only been screened within their respective academic institutions remain eligible.
Submissions are open until 11:59 p.m. on August 15, 2026. Applicants must complete the online application form at the following link. The form requires a screener link to the finished film, a synopsis and logline in either Filipino or English, the director’s résumé with links to previous works, and two recent photographs.
The official selection of ten Panorama Shorts Section films will be announced on August 23, 2026.
Although the Panorama Shorts Section is a non-competition showcase, one selected film will receive the Best Panorama Short Film award along with a ₱100,000 cash prize, to be presented during the annual Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival Awards Night.
Hayagan-Piedad encourages filmmakers from across the country—whether students, emerging storytellers, or experienced creators—to submit their completed films and become part of Puregold CinePanalo’s growing celebration of Filipino cinema.
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