By: Janieca Edejer and Rizza Hull (University of Baguio Interns)
After nearly a month of screenings, the Montañosa Film Festival 2025 honored its winning films in an awarding ceremony held on March 30.
Among the festival’s eager attendees was Darren Cassem, a passionate film enthusiast who looks forward to the event every year. “I’m a film enthusiast, and I look forward to watching all the international films because that’s the theme tonight. It’s a way for me to immerse myself in different films from around the world,” he said.
The festival, which aims to make Baguio the film capital of the north, featured a diverse lineup of films, including the Indonesian film Women from Rote Island, which explores deep societal issues.
The screening was attended by notable figures in Philippine cinema, including directors Joyce Bernal and Zig Dulay.
After a series of screenings, the festival awarded top honors to outstanding films.
Mama won the Golden Award for both Mobile Filmmaking and Documentary Film.
Anatomy of a Unique Body by Shaira Guiyab and Mark Andy Pedere took the top prize in the Experimental Film category, while Open Time by Mark Moneda won Best Narrative Film.
The highest honor, Best Festival Film, was awarded to Gadya sa Suba, directed by Daniel Dela Cruz from Iloilo.
Other films also received recognition:
- Beneath the Firefly Veil by Juvy Ann Clarito – Independent Spirit Award
- Cebuano by Joaquin Perocillo – World Building Award
- Voicemails for the Unknown Receiver by Mario Cabus – Cinema Open’s Choice Award
- Dakit by Francis Dumalig – Best Emerging Cinema
- Kita Mo’to by Adam Dumaguin – Sine Patok (Most Entertaining Film)
- Ti Bisekleta ni Arong by Brandon Domingo – Jury Prize
National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Kidlat Tahimik was also present at the event and presented the Kidlat Kapwa Awards to notable films, including Silbi by Danica Sy, Pagtanghoy sa Hangin by Kyle Erika Saycon, Los Mandayas by Jhayzen Paranal, and Bolilyo by Patrick Nicolas Yacob.
As the festival continues to grow, organizers hope that more films will serve as a voice for Filipino stories, further enriching the country’s cinematic landscape.
