The 18thCinemalaya Independent Film Festival was held from August 5–14, 2022 in Metro Manila, Philippines, with the theme being "Breaking Through the Noise". A total of eleven full-length features and twelve short films competed.[1] The festival was opened by the film Leonor Will Never Die by Martika Ramirez Escobar and its closing film was Delikado by Karl Malakunas and We Don't Dance for Nothing by Stefanos Tai.[2] This year marks the return of the full-length category as well as the festival's return to on-site screening since the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Entries
The winning film is highlighted with boldface and a dagger.
Full-Length Features
Title
Director
Cast
Genre
12 Weeks
Anna Isabelle Matutina
Max Eigenmann, Bing Pimentel, Vance Larena, and Claudia Enriquez
Andrew Ramsay, Ruby Ruiz, Dido de la Paz, and Rolando Incocencio
Sports Drama
Kaluskos (Rustles)
Roman S. Perez Jr.
Coleen Garcia, Queenzy Calma, Karl Medina, Cara Gonzales, Elora Españo
Domestic Drama, Thriller
Kargo (Cargo)
TM Malones
Max Eigenmann, Jess Mendoza, Myles Robles, and Ronnie Lazaro (special participation)
Road Movie
Retirada (The Retiree)
Milo Alto Paz and Cynthia Cruz-Paz
Peewee O'Hara, Jerry O'Hara, Donna Cariaga, Dexter Doria, Nanding Josef, Lui Manansala, and Johana Basanta
Drama
The Baseball Player†
Carlo Obispo
Tommy Alejandrino, JM San Jose, Tess Antonio, Don Melvin Boongaling, Sue Prado, Pongs Leonardo, Joel Saracho, Bon Lentejas, Ely Cellan, and Arnold Reyes (special participation)
Social drama
Short films
Title
Director
Ampangabagat Nin Talakba Ha Likol (It's Raining Frogs Outside)
Maria Estela Paiso
Black Rainbow†
Zig Dulay
City of Flowers
Xeph Suarez
Dikit
Gabriela Serrano
Distance
Dexter Paul de Jesus
Duwa-Duwa
Nena Jane Achacoso
Mga Handum Nga Nasulat sa Barras (The Dreams That Are Written in the Sand)
Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay and Ricard Jeroui Salvadico
Mata Kang Busay (Vision of the Falls)
Niño Maldecir and Cyphor John Gayorgor
Kwits
Raz de la Torre
Roundtrip to Happiness
Claudia Fernando
See You, George!
Mark Moneda
Si Oddie
Maria Kydylee Torato
Awards
The awards ceremony was held on August 14, 2022, at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater), Cultural Center of the Philippines.[3] In the full-length category, Blue Room won the most awards with five, followed by The Baseball Player with four.
Full-Length Features
Best Film – The Baseball Player by Carlo Obispo
Special Jury Prize – Blue Room by Ma-an L. Asuncion Dagñalan
Audience Choice Award – Kargo by TM Malones
Best Direction – Blue Room by Ma-an L. Asuncion Dagñalan
Best Actor – Tommy Alejandrino for The Baseball Player
